The Vale Royal Round is a 50k/31m trail loop in Cheshire offering excellent off-road running and great views.
It includes scenic paths alongside the Rivers Weaver and Dane and the Trent and Mersey Canal. The historic Grade II* listed viaduct at Dutton (the longest on the Grand Junction Railway) is passed under and historic locks are also crossed there and at Vale Royal. The Grade I listed Anderton Boat Lift, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways and the 'Cathedral of the Canals', is also passed.
Most elevation is gained climbing Fodsham Hill where spectaular views of the Mersey Estuary are offered and on parts of the Sandstone Trail which runs along Cheshire's elevated Sandstone Ridge and through Delamere Forest, the county's largest area of woodland. Lesser know trails such as The Oakmere Way (around The Cheshire Sands Quarry) and the Whitegate Way, (a disused railway line that once transported salt) offers easier running with scenic routes through woods and open countryside.
The name of the route is derived from passing by the former medieval abbey and now country house and Grade II* listed Vale Royal Abbey, once the largest Cistercian Abbey in Britain. It can be run in any direction although a good starting point could be Acton Swing Bridge where on-road parking is available by the Leigh Arms PH.
