The best walks and hikes around Keele

Yes, there's a wide variety of options. You can explore over 290 hiking routes around Keele, with the majority being easy or moderate trails suitable for most fitness levels. The landscape is a mix of university woodlands, serene lakes, and reclaimed country parks.

The trails around Keele are highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the peaceful woodlands, especially within the Keele University estate, and the interesting landscapes of the reclaimed collieries like Silverdale Country Park. The well-maintained paths and clear signage are also frequently mentioned.

Yes, Keele is a great place to walk with a dog. The extensive grounds of Keele University and the wide-open spaces of Silverdale and Apedale Community Country Parks are popular choices. Most trails are suitable, but it's always best to keep dogs on a lead, especially near wildlife habitats and livestock.

Definitely. A great option is the Forest of Light Sculpture – Keele Chapel loop from Keele University. It's a relatively short walk of about 4.4 km through the university's scenic grounds, perfect for a gentle introduction to the area's trails.

Yes, you can find small, charming waterfalls within the university's woodlands. The Brook Waterfall – Keele University Pools loop is a pleasant 5 km walk that takes you past one of these features as it follows Park Brook through the woods.

The Keele University estate offers a fantastic network of trails through its 630 acres of parkland, lakes, and woods. You can find everything from short, all-weather paths to longer routes. The scenery is diverse, featuring the popular Springpool Wood, an arboretum with ancient trees, and the beautiful Bluebell Wood (Job's Wood) in the spring.

Yes, many trails are accessible. The Keele University campus, which is the starting point for numerous walks, is well-served by bus routes from Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent. For trails in areas like Silverdale or Madeley Heath, you may need to check local bus services for the nearest stops, which are often a short walk from the trailheads.

For the most expansive views, a hike up Bignall Hill is recommended. From its summit, you can enjoy panoramic vistas across the Cheshire Plain and, on clear days, even see as far as the Peak District and the mountains of North Wales. The trails within Silverdale Country Park also offer elevated viewpoints over the reclaimed landscape.

Silverdale Country Park, a former colliery, has a unique and varied terrain. You'll find a mix of surfaced paths, gravel tracks, and grassy trails. The landscape includes some moderate slopes and the 'Void', a dramatic steep-sided bowl with a large pool at its base. Its shallow wetlands are a designated Site of Biological Importance, attracting a lot of wildlife.

While Keele is mostly known for its local circular walks, you can create longer hikes by linking various parks and trails. For example, it's possible to combine walks through Silverdale Country Park and the adjacent Apedale Community Country Park for a more substantial day out. The nearby Newcastle Greenway also offers a longer, gentle route for walking.

The best time to see the spectacular bluebell displays is in the late spring, typically from late April to mid-May. A visit to Job's Wood, also known locally as Bluebell Wood, within the Keele University estate is highly recommended during this period for its beautiful floral carpet.