The Churnet Valley is located off the B5417 at Oakamoor. Travelling from the direction of Cheadle, as you come down the hill into Oakamoor, you will pass a large church, and a few yards further down, turn right onto a minor road. About fifty yards down, on the left is a council run car park, which has toilets, one of which is accessible to people with disabilities (see picture left, below). There is also a large grassed area with picnic tables adjacent to the car park (see picture right, below). A second overspill car park a little further along the road, signposted “Station Car Park” is free to use but has no facilities, although it is much nearer to the start of the Churnet Valley track.

The surface of the overspill car park is hard compacted stone and mainly level. There are around thirty parking spaces here.

The track runs from Oakamoor in a south easterly direction to Denstone, a distance of 4¼ miles.

From the car park there is level access onto the track, which is through the gate approximately 100 yards from the car park. (See picture opposite).

The opening on the right was wide enough for me to get through on my handcycle. The small gate on the left was unlocked if the opening proved to be too narrow.

The track is level and mainly firm and for some of the journey runs alongside the river Churnet. (Please bear in mind that this area is prone to flooding after heavy and prolonged rainfall).

About half way along the track, Alton Castle can be see high upon the hill to the right (see picture opposite).

The path gets narrower and grassier along the second half of the track and can be muddy in places.

The photo opposite shows the path reduced to a width of between 12 and 18 inches.