A short Peak District walk that explores the area around Three Shires Head where the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. The route uses sections of old packhorse routes as well as footpaths.
Start : Starting from a lay by near Danebower Hollow on the A54 Congleton to Buxton Road. Grid ref. SK 008 699.
(S/E) After parking, descend down either a path beside the wall or a steeper path closer to the old chimney.
(1) At the bottom you, turn left (East) along the Dane Valley Way (the main valley path). This leads through the spoil heaps of Danebower Quarries. Follow the clear path (South) as it drops down to cross a stream. The path then climbs and weaves its way through Reeve-edge Quarries.
(2)The track contours across the Western flank of the hillside continuing above Blackclough. Stay on the main track as it enters a side valley and continues towards Orchard Farm.
(3) Leave the track (South-East) before the farm following the Dane Valley Way, bear right as it descends to a minor road (Grid ref. SK019687).
(4)Turn sharp right along this lane continuing downhill to reach a stream in the valley bottom. Cross the stream and continue on the main track heading southwest (with the stream to your left). This leads you to Three Shires Head and Pannier's Pool. Note the pair of attractive packhorse bridges over the infant River Dane and its tributary.
(5)Do not cross the bridge over the Dane, instead turn left (South) over the smaller bridge following the River downstream. This sandy track divides (Grid ref. SK009682) where you keep right eventually crossing the River Dane on the approach to Knar.
(6)After a short climb up to Knar, take the footpath on your right. This leads across two fields to join a track, which you follow through open country back to Three Shires Head. The onward route does not cross the bridge but follows the Dane Valley Walk North with the river to your right.
(7) Initially a track, the way ahead soon becomes a path leading below the farm at Holt to return to the path junction encountered within minutes of leaving the start. (1) Turn left here and it's a short walk uphill following the wall (on your left) to the parking area.(S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 457 m - Danebower Hollow car park
1 : km 0.12 - alt. 444 m - Dane Valley Way
2 : km 0.91 - alt. 443 m - Reeve-edge Quarries
3 : km 2.35 - alt. 452 m - Orchard Farm
4 : km 2.58 - alt. 439 m - Turn right along lane
5 : km 3.77 - alt. 361 m - Three Shires Head
6 : km 4.79 - alt. 343 m - Knar
7 : km 6.38 - alt. 380 m - Holt
S/E : km 7.48 - alt. 462 m - Danebower Hollow car park
Useful Information
Start : Starting from a lay by near Danebower Hollow on the A54 Congleton to Buxton Road. Grid ref. SK 008 699.
Parking : Lay by area near Danebower Hollow on the A54 Congleton to Buxton Road. Grid ref. SK 008 699.
Terrain : This walk uses sections of once-important packhorse routes as well as other paths. The walk also passes quarries where you can still remnants of their production from many years ago.
Dog policy : No dogs allowed on the open access land shown on the map at the diverse gates. This not does happy to registered assistance dogs and dogs kept under effective control on Public Rights of Way from 19th September 2019 to 18th September 2024.
⚠️ Route finding is generally good although a 1:25000 map is an asset as there are many paths (some ill-defined) that can cause confusion.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 11/06/23 Clarity of route description : N/A Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Did that walk on a sunny day. It gives really nice views with the nice surprise of finding the bridge and river to refresh. It was also really cool to explore some of the old quarries.
I recommend this walk. Only 3-4 car spots at the layby.
Les21
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 16/10/22 Clarity of route description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
This is a truly fantastic walk , not too busy , with some wonderful waterfalls , the path is manageable even in autumn or winter . The description is quite bad if you want to use it to find your way , but the map itself is pretty good , although in places when you are not sure , there is very little clues to help . But overall really good walk
medave
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 27/02/22 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Great walk. Bit muddy, but febuary is the muddy time of the year.
Charlie007
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 08/08/21 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
What a beutifull walk. We were a group of three couplaes from the north east and down for a few days. it was a pleasure to take in this gorgeous part of our country. All of the party were taken back by the views given along the way. It also helped that the weather was kind. Charlie;
Rowlands
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 18/07/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
I have done this walk twice in the last week, once in the mist and once in the sun. The shortest it has taken me is 3 and a half hours, and then four at most. When we first And did the walk there was a group of 4 ladies aged between 30-60, and we found it suitable for all ages. It was very enjoyable with lots of beautiful views along the way. The walking guide was good but a little tricky to follow at times. When it tells you to go right before orchard farm, it would be better to say bear right at this point along the clearly marked track down the hill.
My only main criticism is the lack of signage at the starting point. The parking area is actually a lay by, which took us a while to find!!
AlexS
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 25/06/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
I did this walk with my 10 yr old son, ideal length and gradient for him ie quite gentle. Absolutely ,oved 3 Shires Head and spent a very pleasant hour or so there playing in the water. I downloaded the coordinates for the parking which was very useful - might have been tricky to locate the right layby otherwise. Directions very clear and easy to follow.
Martin in Buxton
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 09/06/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
An interesting, quiet and enjoyable walk including deserted quarries leading to the Three Shires Head. We left out the extra loop from the bridge and headed directly back to the start point. Walk is marked as easy and there is not much climbing but some of the route is rocky and a pole or two helps and tricky for the infirm It needs care with the route - you do need the map and we were glad we had a compass. Well worth doing - we will do it again.
The best way to locate thre start point is to use the map reference on a satnav.
Sweeneys
Overall rating :
2.5 / 5
Date of walk : 01/03/20 Clarity of route description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average Walk interest : N/A
Very difficult to locate walk start. Descended path by chimney, but no path to the left as walk instructed, only sign pointing to the right. Disappointing.
Little_Lisa
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 31/12/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A really nice walk, great instructions, you can easily shorten the walk like we did as I was unwell on the day we took the walk, 3 shores head is a very busy point in the walk but the majority of the walk we had the paths to ourselves..although that may be different in summer months!
DayK
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 12/07/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
The details of the walk were well set out in the downloaded map and instructions. The walk was of interest for adults, less so for the children who accompanied us.
