- The Weaver Way
Welcome to Discover Cheshire - whether you are walking, cycling or riding in our county, this is the website which will help you enjoy this beautiful area even more.
It is an ‘insider’s guide’ that uses interactive maps to provide comprehensive details of a wide range of routes, country parks, other open spaces and places to visit. If you want to walk, cycle or ride, the site provides full route directions as well as maps, to print out and take with you.
And using the on-screen mapping you can access all the information you need to help you plan your day out – being able to highlight all the top attractions, quality graded places to stay, pubs and restaurants, and other facilities within a short distance of your chosen route.
For those interested in learning more about what makes Cheshire such a special place, we suggest a number of places to visit that help tell the story of this historic and fascinating county. These include museums, castles and stately homes.



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Stretching from Frodsham in the north to its most southerly point at Audlem, the route leads you along the River Weaver and Navigation, as well as the Trent and Mersey, and Shropshire Union Canals.
Watch for wildlife along the way, from mad March hares to Canada Geese. Or delight at the bright blue and orange King Fishers which launch themselves upon unsuspecting fish from high overhanging trees.
The Weaver Way is rich in heritage; much of it linked to the county’s now much mellowed, industrial legacy. Visit the Salt Museum in Northwich, where the story of Cheshire’s exploitation of this valuable mineral is told.
Or take a trip on the restored Anderton Boat Lift, carrying you 50 feet up from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
On your journey visit some of Cheshire’s most picturesque and fascinating towns and villages.
Enjoy a canalside drink and bite to eat in pretty Audlem; or indulge in some retail therapy in the half timbered streets of historic Nantwich. Founded in the Saxon times, Frodsham is a great place to explore, boasting attractive buildings, good pubs and fine restaurants.
|
Grade |
Long distance |
|
Distance |
65km/40miles |
|
Time |
2 to 4 days |
|
Start |
Audlem or Frodsham (directions are from Audlem). |
|
Map |
OS Explorer 257 & 267 |
|
Terrain |
Fairly level terrain, mainly canal towpath or riverside paths, some country lanes and road walking in town centres. |
|
Barriers |
Some gates but largely stile free. |
|
Toilets |
Nantwich Town Centre |
|
Contact |
Cheshire West and Chester Council Tel: 01606 271736 |
1. The route starts at the southern end of the staircase locks in Audlem, just off Bagley Lane. The route follows the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal north to Green Lane Bridge at Nantwich (10km).
2. At Green Lane Bridge, either continue to follow the towpath, or take the steps on your right next to the bridge and join the public bridleway running along the edge of the field. This option will take you around the Nantwich Riverside Loop. Otherwise, continue along the towpath for a further 7.08km until you get to Barbridge Junction (17km).
3. If you take the Nantwich Loop, follow the public bridleway across the fields and over the railway track, passing through several bridleway gates. Descend towards the stream, keeping an eye on the waymarks and cross the bridge. Cross the field and cross Shrewbridge Road with care to join
the footway opposite (10.79km).
4. Continue along the footway until you see Nantwich Lake on your left. Cross the road with care and enter the small car park beside the lake. Head right on the riverside path beyond, passing under the railway bridge, keeping the river on your left. Cross the river via the next bridge on the left and turn right along the tarmac path following the river, crossing the weir (12.27km).
5. At Mill Island, keep to the tarmac path with the river on your right and when you reach the historic mill bridge close to the pedestrian crossing, bear left and follow the tarmac path to the cycle bridge beyond. Cross the cycle bridge into St Anne's car park and straight across the car park along
St Anne's Lane onto Welsh Row (12.68km).
6. Turn left on Welsh Row and when you get to the traffic lights at the end, either use the steps or the ramp to rejoin the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal, turning right (13.36km).
7. Continue along the towpath for a further 5.76km until you get to Barbridge Junction (19.12km).
8. At Barbridge Junction, take a right turn immediately after the bridge to continue following the Shropshire Union Canal towpath. Continue on the towpath (the canal will now be on your right) for another 13km to Clive Green (30km).
9. At Clive Green, just after the railway bridge, take the footpath on your left past Clive Farm and onto Clive Back Lane. Turn left and follow the lane under the railway bridge and after about 80m you'll pass under
another railway bridge.
10. Turn left onto Clive Lane then left again onto Rilshaw Lane, following the lane to the edge of the bypass embankment. Take the path on the left at the foot of the embankment (32km).
11. Follow the path past the marina and across the car park to the big roundabout. Take the subway to cross the roundabout and keep the river on your left in the middle of the roundabout. You will emerge next to the Red Lion PH (33km).
12. Take the path on the right hand side of the pub and join the Weaver Parkway. Head north along the Parkway to its northern termination (36km).
13. Continue northwards along the towpath of the Weaver Navigation for approximately 5.5km to the railway viaduct in the middle of Northwich (42km).
14. At the railway viaduct, follow the Weaver Way signs onto Weir Street and join Queen Street. Turn left along Queen Street and then turn right onto Chester Way, then left onto the A533 (43km).
15. Walk along the A533 and go straight on over Watling Street and take the High Street, directly opposite, then turn left onto Leicester Street.
16. Follow Leicester Street for 300m and turn left into Carey Park.
17. Keep the river to your left as you pass through Carey Park. Cross the Witton Brook via the bridge and ascend left into Anderton Nature Park. Keeping the Weaver Navigation to your left, follow the waymarked path through the centre of the park. This will bring you to the car park (47km).
18. Cross the car park and take the canal towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal on the left, keeping the canal to your right.
19. Follow the towpath for 850m and when you reach the footbridge in Nursery Wood, take the path to your left, cross the A533 and take the path to the right, following the towpath of the Weaver Navigation with the river to your left (48km).
20. Keep to the towpath, past Saltersford Locks. Continue to keep the river to your left. Pass the Acton Bridge Swing Bridge until you get to Dutton Lock Cottages where you cross the locks to the other side of the
river (57km).
21. Carry on along the riverside path, keeping the river to your right, for a further 7.5km. The route finishes at Frodsham by the town bridge on the A56 (65km).
|
Grade |
Long distance |
|
Distance |
65km/40miles |
|
Time |
2 to 4 days |
|
Start |
Audlem or Frodsham (directions are from Audlem). |
|
Map |
OS Explorer 257 & 267 |
|
Terrain |
Fairly level terrain, mainly canal towpath or riverside paths, some country lanes and road walking in town centres. |
|
Barriers |
Some gates but largely stile free. |
|
Toilets |
Nantwich Town Centre |
|
Contact |
Cheshire West and Chester Council Tel: 01606 271736 |








