Weaver Way

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Walking the Weaver Way by Audlem

The Weaver Way is a forty-mile waymarked route through Cheshire, following in part the River Weaver, and running from Audlem in the south to Frodsham at the head of the Mersey Estuary in the north.

The route may take two to four days to complete. It begins at the staircase of locks on the Shropshire Union Canal at Audlem and follows the canal towpath for six miles to Nantwich (where the Natwich Riverside Loop is an optional addition). The main route follows the canal for four and a half miles further to Barbridge Junction, where the Natwich Loop rejoins.

From here the path follows the canal for some miles before reaching the canalised section of the River Weaver, the Weaver Navigation, and continues north, eventually joining the Trent and Mersey Canal, which leads to Frodsham.

Along the route

The route is rich in wildlife along the rivers and canals; kingfishers dart across the river and wildfowl abound.

Along the route there are sites telling of Cheshire's historical and industrial heritage. Just off the route os the Salt Museum in Northwich, telling of the long story of industrial salt extraction in the county. The Anderton Boat Lift has been restored, which can carry a boat 50 feet up from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

There are many delightful villages along the way. Picturesque towns along the Weaver Way include Audlem and Frodsham at either end, and Nantwich in the heart of the salt country, with its streets of half-timbered buildings.

Linking to the Weaver Way, the Whitegate Way is a seven-mile route from Winsford to Cuddington, near Delamere Forest Park. Shady wooded cuttings contrast with sunny open embankments, offering spectacular views over the Cheshire countryside.

Outside links