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Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop – Cannock Chase

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Hiking trails & Routes

Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop – Cannock Chase

Moderate

4.3

(76)

318

hikers

Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop – Cannock Chase

02:51

10.5km

140m

Hiking

Embark on the Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop, a moderate hike spanning 6.6 miles (10.5 km) with an elevation gain of 474 feet (144 metres), typically completed in about 2 hours and 51 minutes. You will wander through ancient oak and birch woodlands, offering a pleasant experience in all seasons.…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Cannock Chase AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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330 m

Ancient Oak Woodland in Cannock Chase

Highlight • Natural Monument

Fantastic ancient oak trees which are so utterly different to the birch landscape around them. A pleasure to walk through in all seasons.

Easy walk from Coppice Hill car park, off the chase road in Brocton.

Tip by

1.45 km

Sherbrook Stepping Stones

Highlight • River

This is a popular beauty spot in the lovely Cannock Chase AONB. A series of stepping stones cross the pretty Sherbrook, which is lined with alders and huge tussock hedge …

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5.18 km

Trent and Mersey Canal, Bridge 72 (Little Haywood)

Highlight • Bridge

This tranquil summer scene on the Trent and Mersey Canal footpath is a favourite! The curving canal and path, the pleasant greenery and houses, and the approaching stone bridge all …

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5.94 km

Essex Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Essex Bridge is historically significant, dating back to the early 17th century. It was built between 1550 and 1554, making it one of the oldest surviving stone bridges in England. …

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5.99 km

View of Shugborough Hall

Highlight • Monument

Shugbrough is an awesome place to spend time. Although it always seems to be raining when I go

Tip by

10.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.04 km

3.21 km

1.18 km

517 m

317 m

271 m

Surfaces

3.36 km

2.47 km

2.42 km

1.66 km

319 m

317 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (190 m)

Lowest point (70 m)

Weather

Wednesday 6 May

15°C

4°C

15 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop – Cannock Chase

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Trail Reviews

Sally

April 14, 2024, From Brocton Coppice to Staffordshire

Took some time to figure out a few of the paths at the start, by the old oak trees, as not really a path, more undergrowth that took us to the main path,just very over grown.... once we figured it out the walk was lovely. Took a little detour to see 'groot' tree. Stopped at Shugborough for a drink before continuing back. Enjoyable walk. Some uneven paths and steep hill to finish so make sure you have your walking boots at the ready.

Tolkien Trail: Great Haywood loop – Cannock Chase

Ancient Oak Woodland in Cannock Chase

Sherbrook Stepping Stones

Trent and Mersey Canal, Bridge 72 (Little Haywood)

Essex Bridge

View of Shugborough Hall

Nearby routes

Trail Reviews

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