HIKE the Sandstone Trail of Cheshire - (two days and one night of wild camping)

[@tl7004]

Excellent trip report Very enjoyable listening to your description of the walk also the history and geography of Cheshire and all the Beautiful Hills meadows ,pastureland And Beeston castle and Peckforton The love relaxing walk along the towpath All in all A great Walk and hike Enjoyed very much 😊😀 Thanks for Sharing Zizag

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks Zigzag, I really appreciated receiving your comments, cheers Nigel

[@marshovision]

It's great to get the perspective of someone else on the Sandstone Trail. I've run hundreds of miles on it over the years (including the whole thing in one go) but I know very little about it or what's on it, I have missed so much. Thanks for a great video.

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking time out to comment. Hope the. Insights inspire even more miles on the Sandstone. Cheers

[@Karen-qx7jw]

What's the rush ????

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes, I like to amble.

[@bipedal_shenanigans]

Remember the sandstone trail fondly as it featured in the 2019 gbultras Chester 100. Enjoyable video as always

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@Paul9]

Great video, I’m from the Frodsham area and running the Sandstone trail challenge next month starting at Whitchurch. Hope the weather is as good as it is was in your video 😊.

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Paul, best of luck with the challenge, just hope there is less mud then when I did it!! Thanks for watching and sharing your plans. Cheers, Nigel

[@20yearsagotoday1]

Great video I really enjoyed watching it. I live local so recognised many of the places and landmarks, including Bukeley Hill where myself and friends used to mountain bike over 20 years ago. We’re walking the trail in September so I’ll look out for many of the places you highlighted. Thank you 😊

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed the video, it’s a great hike and with you knowing the local landmarks I’m sure you will enjoy the actual hike even more. 🥾👍🏼

[@stephenscragg8562]

Thanks for sharing your experience on the sandstone trail Nigel. What month of the year did you do it? I have the book (Northern eye) also a 1:25, 000 map. 🙂👌sounds like I don't need the map with the adequate signage. Happy Hiking.

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Stephen, it was around Easter last year when I did the trail. The Northern Eye guide is certainly very good and I’m fairly certain I did not take a separate map (I often do!), but if you have it, you can always pack it away and only bring it out if it’s an emergency! It’s a great trail to do if you have a limited days, and has been one of my favourites to complete. The other similar trail is the Gritstone, you can find that on my channel page as well. Hope you get to do the trail and have a great adventure. Cheers

[@lanidesigns2572]

Great video Nigel! Very relaxing to watch

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks Lani, appreciate the comment. A

[@greenchannel2114]

Great vid 👍

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks, appreciate the comment, it all helps.

[@heatonreddishwalkers]

Loved the calm and relaxing production, this is looking like my first long multi day hike. I will also be wild camping. Any tips for a first time rookie?

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks for the comments. Great choice for your first experience, as it has good signage and is a relatively ‘short’ trail. Firstly, make sure you get the trail guide by Northern Eye, it’s really helpful. Next, try to make your kit as light as possible. Try to avoid taking the ‘just in case items’ they soon add up to an extra kilo or so. If you can recce bits of the walk before hand it will help your confidence in terms of navigation. You’ve certainly got me thinking, I might try to do a video on this, so keep your eye on the channel. Best of luck with your endeavours.

[@MrCdawson17]

I’m thinking of doing this hike in a few months, so that video you want to do about gear is what I’m looking for. Have you made it yet?

[@AmblingTrails]

Certainly have, here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX-rapmIeamWeqs if that does not work for any reason, on the ambling trails channel page you are looking for Load Out 2022 - what's in my pack? And in fact if you use that phase in the search on You Tube you will possible also get other channels with similar advice. Also, on my channel page there are two separate videos titled '10 small things' they should be helpful as well. Best of luck, and happy to help with further advice if required. Cheers

[@gerardjones7881]

I'd like to see a video of a canoe trip down the river Bollin. Stealth wild camp along the way. It flows under the runway at manchester ringway airport near castle mills.

[@AmblingTrails]

Sounds like a great challenge! Cheers

[@ianbrizell8587]

Hi, Thanks for the video. Some good tips voiced in a calm assured way. I will be walking the trail in stages via circular walks with my adult son starting next week. Your video was interesting, informative and uplifting. Thank you!

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed the video and I'm sure you and your son will enjoy all the aspects of the trail as the seasons evolve. Thanks for watching.

[@vlcoates01]

I love the well! So strange to think how we used to do things

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes, it was a good reminder and it certainly would have been quite a challenge obtaining water from that well. Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching.

[@nataliessportstherapy7056]

Great video Nigel. Enjoyed the watch!

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@RichardShortland-Neal]

I’m looking at walking this in August as a little shakedown hike of some new kit. One question for you. What’s the trail like for water sources? I always carry my filter but knowing where I can get water from is always a help in planning.

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Richard, great walk for testing kit. Same for me, always carry my filter, however on this walk I did not encounter any water I could filter. Pubs and cafes were my main sources, plus one ice cream van where I purchase a 500ml bottle. Do let me know if you do find any water that you can filter as good to share with the community. Hope you enjoy your hike, it’s certainly one of my favourites. Cheers

[@andreamckay7085]

Looks an interesting hike.

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes I was really impressed, it has been really well maintained and has great signage. Thanks for watching.

[@fence-hugger]

Nice video Nigel, very informative. 👍

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@doingmybest6438]

I did this in a day recently. I wondered what the blue cable/pipe was at around 23:00!

[@AmblingTrails]

I remember thinking the same myself! I managed to work out the local farmer was running water from the well downhill for an animal trough. Well done on the day completion. Thanks for the watch and I appreciate the interest. Cheers

[@barredfrompup]

New subscriber to your channel (sure you've seen my recent comments on your other videos). The start of this wlak is actually my birth place, I've done sections of the sandstone trail but never done the whole thing. I'd like to do it with the partner over a couple of days but could never think of anywhere to wildcamp. Not asking for an exact location but what was the area that you managed to find a spot?

[@AmblingTrails]

Welcome to the channel and that is a brilliant reason for doing the Sandstone Way! Have to admit that it was difficult finding a spot for the wild camp as you are always relatively close to urban or farm/country houses (which you never notice until you have to wild camp!). In all my video's, without giving a specific spot I try to provide clues. From memory, it was a piece of National Trust land and obviously wooded. One of the problems, it made it a very long day as I think it was close to 20 miles. The mistake I think I made on that walk is not looking for a spot sooner. Best of luck with the hike and I'm sure the wild camp will turn out fine. happy to answer any further questions as they arise. Cheers

[@GOTHICAMESSAIH]

Excellent Video Nigel. this is my home work, I am doing the Sandstone Trail (next 2 weeks time) but doing it in reverse, Whitchurch to Frodsham. and wild camping with my bivi and tarp. @Ambling Trails Did you encounter any Live stock? on the Trail..? i am a little weary of being close to cows'' any advice would be appreciated.

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Ree, apologies for the slow response, out on the trails in the Lakes and struggled with reception. It’s a while since I did the ST but from memory I can’t recall any difficulties with cows. Most cows are use to humans and therefore generally not interested in our existence, I find if you give them the space you can pass without harm. Best of luck with your adventure!

[@kennethcarter5720]

Hi lovely video. I was thinking walking this trail as my first long/ middle distance path. I intend to start training for the coast to coast. I was intending to do two wild camps. Can I please ask you, are there opportunities to do two nights wild camping and any suggestions in what areas, I will be using a tarp ,and what is the water resources. Thank you. I will be watching your gritstone trail and be doing that as well. Stay safe 🔥

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Both the Sandstone and the Gritstone are great trails for training. The Gritstone is a slightly more remote trail than the Sandstone so there tends to be more opportunity to wild camp, however, I think on both trails water resources can be difficult. With water, the opportunities I always consider on the trail include: purchasing from shops, requesting in pubs/cafes, public toilets, outside taps in farms and churches, and filtering fast running water. If I'm really desperate, I will knock on the door of a house and ask if they would not mind filling a bottle etc. never been refused and people are generally very nice about it in the country, so I think you will be fine. If you watch my videos carefully I usually give sufficient clues that would allow you to roughly copy the area I used for my wild camp. Best of luck with your training and hope all goes well with the Coast to Coast. Cheers

[@kennethcarter5720]

@@AmblingTrails thank you for your reply

[@archaicresonance4927]

Doing the Sandstone Trail on Saturday. The plan is to walk it in one day but we will see...

[@AmblingTrails]

Best of luck, I’m sure it’s possible, let me know how you get on.

[@tashx1656]

What time of year did you do this? And how long did u walk for each day?

[@AmblingTrails]

Did the hike towards the end of April. Day one eight hours and day two seven hours. Hope that helps and happy to answer further questions. Cheers, Nigel

[@tashx1656]

@@AmblingTrails thank you and great video aswell.