The Old Man of Mow – Mow Cop Castle loop from Biddulph

Hiking trails & Routes

Staffordshire Moorlands

Biddulph

The Old Man of Mow – Mow Cop Castle loop from Biddulph

Hard

4.8

(6)

hikers

The Old Man of Mow – Mow Cop Castle loop from Biddulph

07:43

27.9km

490m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.22 km

Biddulph Valley Way

Highlight • Trail

Lovely shared track through woodland.

Tip by

8.09 km

View from Congleton Edge

Highlight • Forest

Some hair raising drops be careful. Worth it for the views though.

Tip by

8.31 km

Nick i' th' Hill Hamlet

Highlight • Settlement

A beautiful little hamlet of 8 or so dwellings is to be found in this geological feature known locally as Nick i' th' Hill.

Tip by

8.91 km

Willocks Wood

Highlight • Natural

Willocks Wood is a pretty woodland below Nick i' th' Hill. Composed of mainly oak and silver birch, the woodland is home to much flora and fauna.

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11.4 km

The Old Man of Mow

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Old Man of Mow is a mysterious rock on the summit of Mow Cop. From this spot, you experience an awe-inspiring vista. On a clear day, views stretch into …

Tip by

11.8 km

Mow Cop Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

Mow Cop Castle is a famous landmark in Mow Cop, a village situated on a moorland ridge. The castle is actually a folly summerhouse, built to look like a ruin …

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15.0 km

Stone Bridge on Macclesfield Canal, Scholar Green

Highlight • River

Muddy in wet weather

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18.3 km

Start or End of the Gritstone Trail

Highlight • Trail

Good luck or congratulations, it's a cracking walk, have fun.

Tip by

27.9 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

12.2 km

5.22 km

4.88 km

4.24 km

1.45 km

Surfaces

12.4 km

7.66 km

3.42 km

2.46 km

1.09 km

925 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (320 m)

Lowest point (120 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 30 October

14°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 29, 2021,Gritstone Trail: Part Three - Congleton to Kidsgrove

The final leg of the Gritstone Trail. Not quite so lucky with the weather this time but still good walking and great views. Got up to Mow Cop without feeling as though we’d been going uphill at all - so gradual!!