Turn right and follow the path as it swings left, passing a boardwalk mountain bike obstacle on the left.Continue ahead on the wide stone track as it meanders through the woodland. Cross these with care, or you may choose to paddle across.At the far side of the stream you will emerge to the junction, F1, which you passed through earlier. The Fairoak trail at Cannock Chase is a green graded 2.5 mile shared singletrack cycle and walking circular route with stunning views of the valley and lake.
Fairoak Trail • • • 4km/2.5 miles An easy circular trail that takes in the magnificent Fairoak Valley and pools, a rich and important habitat that is home to many wildlife species.
Turn right at the crossroads and follow the stone track leading you steadily downhill into the valley bottom. Continue along the length of the fishing pond (look out for the large fish you will see swimming beneath the surface) and the next lake. The Fairoak trail is a 2.5 miles circular trail which starts by meandering through the forest, opening out into the Fairoak Valley and our magnificent Fairoak Pools. There are no gates or stiles on route, but you will need to cross some stepping stones. Continue along the main stone track and further along you will come to a large private fishing pond on the left, with carefully placed benches if you wish to rest here. The route does NOT head this way, but feel free to take a detour to enjoy this idyllic spot. Turn left, signed for the Forest Centre, and follow the track leading you steadily uphill and out of the valley.
It was quite busy when we visited in June but with plenty of car park spaces and indoor and outdoor eating areas we had a leisurely visit and felt relaxed and ready for the next part of our journey. These are very big and flat with only narrow gaps between and so should be easy for most people to cross. The car park fee is £4 for the whole day (correct Jun 2015). Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ Soon, on the left, you will pass the first of many pools that sit within the base of Fairoak Valley. The colossal river system rose in what is now Northern France and emptied into the area which is now the Irish Sea. Along the way you will pass under one of the tree-top obstacles of the Go Ape course. The trail takes you through the woodland valley taking in the pools and streams with plenty of wildlife along the way. For Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance please follow this link Length 5.6 km Elevation gain 114 m Route type Loop Stay on this main stone track which leads you along the southern edge of the pools and brook, taking time to look out for wildlife. There is a good chance you will spot swans, ducks and grey squirrels on this walk and if you are really lucky a herd of deer!The walk is surfaced and there are moderate slopes in places.
The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the 19th century. The Fairoak trail is a 2.5 miles circular trail which starts by meandering through the forest, opening out into the Fairoak Valley and our magnificent Fairoak Pools.The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. Red, muntjac and fallow deer populations are all well established across the area. The walk has just a few gentle gradients and follows wide stone tracks the whole way round. The peaceful environment belies a short-lived, but productive industrial past.
Trail maps are available to purchase from Go Ape, Grounds café & Cannock Chase Cycle Centre for £1.50. Approximate post code WS15 2UQ.This is a lovely walk which is situated about 15 mins from the M6. You will emerge back to the Birches Valley Forest Centre where the walk began. Bear left and you will come to some noticeboards that mark the start of the walking and cycling trails. It was several years until coal was found, but by 1880 the colliery was producing 2,000 tons per week and employed almost 400 people. The Fairoak Colliery company was formed in 1871, with the rights to explore more than 5,000 acres within Cannock Chase. Horses are also able to use this trail.A circular walk through Fairoak Valley within Cannock Chase. This valley once contained the Budleighensis River which flowed 280 million years ago when Britain was part of a much greater landmass and nearer to the equator. There are some stepping stones across a stream near the end of the walk which are unsuitable for buggies and wheelchairs to cross. However, the cost of the unproductive years took its toll and the mining operations ended in 1884. Almost immediately afterwards, look for a pretty waterfall sitting under a footbridge over the brook on the left. This route – of which most is managed by Cannock Chase District Council – runs from Rugeley to Cannock, and passes through Cannock Chase Forest taking in sites of historic interest along the way.
Fairoak Trail • • • 4km/2.5 miles An easy circular trail that takes in the magnificent Fairoak Valley and pools, a rich and important habitat that is home to many wildlife species.
Turn right at the crossroads and follow the stone track leading you steadily downhill into the valley bottom. Continue along the length of the fishing pond (look out for the large fish you will see swimming beneath the surface) and the next lake. The Fairoak trail is a 2.5 miles circular trail which starts by meandering through the forest, opening out into the Fairoak Valley and our magnificent Fairoak Pools. There are no gates or stiles on route, but you will need to cross some stepping stones. Continue along the main stone track and further along you will come to a large private fishing pond on the left, with carefully placed benches if you wish to rest here. The route does NOT head this way, but feel free to take a detour to enjoy this idyllic spot. Turn left, signed for the Forest Centre, and follow the track leading you steadily uphill and out of the valley.
It was quite busy when we visited in June but with plenty of car park spaces and indoor and outdoor eating areas we had a leisurely visit and felt relaxed and ready for the next part of our journey. These are very big and flat with only narrow gaps between and so should be easy for most people to cross. The car park fee is £4 for the whole day (correct Jun 2015). Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ Soon, on the left, you will pass the first of many pools that sit within the base of Fairoak Valley. The colossal river system rose in what is now Northern France and emptied into the area which is now the Irish Sea. Along the way you will pass under one of the tree-top obstacles of the Go Ape course. The trail takes you through the woodland valley taking in the pools and streams with plenty of wildlife along the way. For Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance please follow this link Length 5.6 km Elevation gain 114 m Route type Loop Stay on this main stone track which leads you along the southern edge of the pools and brook, taking time to look out for wildlife. There is a good chance you will spot swans, ducks and grey squirrels on this walk and if you are really lucky a herd of deer!The walk is surfaced and there are moderate slopes in places.
The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the 19th century. The Fairoak trail is a 2.5 miles circular trail which starts by meandering through the forest, opening out into the Fairoak Valley and our magnificent Fairoak Pools.The area has an interesting coal mining past and was the location of a colliery in the late 19th century. Red, muntjac and fallow deer populations are all well established across the area. The walk has just a few gentle gradients and follows wide stone tracks the whole way round. The peaceful environment belies a short-lived, but productive industrial past.
Trail maps are available to purchase from Go Ape, Grounds café & Cannock Chase Cycle Centre for £1.50. Approximate post code WS15 2UQ.This is a lovely walk which is situated about 15 mins from the M6. You will emerge back to the Birches Valley Forest Centre where the walk began. Bear left and you will come to some noticeboards that mark the start of the walking and cycling trails. It was several years until coal was found, but by 1880 the colliery was producing 2,000 tons per week and employed almost 400 people. The Fairoak Colliery company was formed in 1871, with the rights to explore more than 5,000 acres within Cannock Chase. Horses are also able to use this trail.A circular walk through Fairoak Valley within Cannock Chase. This valley once contained the Budleighensis River which flowed 280 million years ago when Britain was part of a much greater landmass and nearer to the equator. There are some stepping stones across a stream near the end of the walk which are unsuitable for buggies and wheelchairs to cross. However, the cost of the unproductive years took its toll and the mining operations ended in 1884. Almost immediately afterwards, look for a pretty waterfall sitting under a footbridge over the brook on the left. This route – of which most is managed by Cannock Chase District Council – runs from Rugeley to Cannock, and passes through Cannock Chase Forest taking in sites of historic interest along the way.