Dudley Trail 6 mile walk

Sunday May 2nd is Dudley Trail Day. Here's a preview of the 6 mile walk

Conditions are great for the Trails this year: there's blossom everywhere. 

Starting from the Leisure Centre, the 6 mile trail goes through the cemetery...

...and on to Park Head locks.

The old viaduct, now disused.

View towards Netherton 

  
So far, it's been the same as the 9 mile trail , but soon you strike off to the left. This bit's rather steep, if you were considering a push chair. But most of it is fairly flat.

This sign eloquently explains the Black Country

You will be returning along this section of canal,

 ...but for now, the route continues over this wild heath-like land near Netherton. Around here was the site of an open cast coal mine, and sometimes this would combust underground, with flames and smoke coming out of the graveyard of St Andrew's Church! 

The gorse is spectacular.

Just visible through the trees, and a long way off, is the Waterfront.

The route crosses this canal and then follows it.

This bridge is very high,...

... because it was once a tunnel, called Brewin's.  It has now been opened up. (You can see the old tunnel brickwork on the left of this picture)

The canal passes Lodge Farm reservoir...

...and continues into Saltwells Nature Reserve. It's on land that was once industrial, but you could barely guess that now. 

In the middle is a huge hole, maybe 100 feet down

The white on the opposite side gives it away. This is Doulton's claypit, where clay was once extracted and then taken away by canal to be used by Royal Doulton for fine china (and also sanitary ware!)

There is a car park 

And there are various trails. This is part of the sculpture trail. The 6 mile trail turns right here.

These woods are already full of bluebells with many more due to open: they should be nearly at their height by May 2nd, the date of the Trail.

Looking back over to Netherton Church, and the gorse which we passed earlier.

Most of the paths are quite good.

Eventually, you reach the canal again. But it's a bit you haven't yet followed.

Industrial history is never far away. You pass the site of Grazebrooks Ironworks: they made the bomb casings for the Dambusters bombs. 

Reflections. You see very little industry along the canal on this walk: this is one of the few times.

An old canal crane by the locks

And here, the Trail passes the locks and then goes a slightly different way home.  

A very interesting Trail with lots to see. Highly Recommended.
If you think the 9 mile route may be better for you, click here to have a look at it.

Today's route followed this year's Dudley Trail 6-mile route. It could be done by energetic pushchair users, but there are steps, so it is better if the child can walk on occasions! It's mostly level with good paths, and not much road walking, except at the beginning and end.

Dudley Trail - information

Walks of six, nine, 12, 18 and 26 miles on offer with routes covering the hidden beauty and proud industrial heritage of the borough. Participants can walk at their own pace and will take in the sights of canal towpaths, disused railway lines, country footpaths and a few roads as part of the walks. All walks start at Dudley Leisure Centre at designated times between 8am and noon. Checkpoints are strategically placed along each of the five routes to ensure the well being and whereabouts of walkers and light refreshments are available.  Everyone who completes a trail receives a certificate of achievement.

It costs £3 per person to join the 26 and 18 mile routes, £2.50 for the 12 and nine mile routes and £1.50 to walk the more gentle six miles routes.  An additional fee of 50p will be charged for all entries on the day.

Entry forms are available online at www.dudley.gov.uk/dudleytrail from Dudley Council’s leisure centres and libraries or by calling Himley Hall on 01384 817817.