The Roaches & Dane Valley - Staffs moorlands AUTUMN walk & fungi foraging

Returning for an autumn visit to the area after past beautiful walks. An interesting, incredibly varied route focusing on fungi & wild food foraging. stunning views across the Cheshire plain & Staffordshire moorlands. There is undulating terrain with some ascent over peat moorland, rocks, through narrow stone stiles & over uneven ground. You will need to have excellent fitness & ability on all terrains. comfortable with heights, walking on hard & soft terrain. There will be muddy slippy footpaths on parts of the route, especially if recent rain.

Suitable walking equipment such as boots, all weather clothing, walking pole(s), plus food & drink are a must on this walk. T shirt, jeans & trainers or wellies are definetley not suitable! You will want a camera & other than a couple of planned stops, need to be OK with only infrequent toilet facilities. If you have any health issues - especially poor lung capacity, any feet, knee, leg or joint issues, or surgery in recent months this walk is totally unsuitable.

Here's what could be found, fungi foraging in October >
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f7tcCRjyrLI
wild mushroom guide > https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/

Planned break stops >
https://www.gradbach.co.uk/riverside-cafe/
https://theshipinnwincle.co.uk

Walk details : we start at The Roaches tea rooms, walking past Rockhall, upto the summit & along the roaches ridge to Roach end - almost guaranteed to be windy! Then walk through the back forest to visit the spectacular lud's church & then alongside the dane river to Danebridge, with a short cafe & pub stops. Returning via the hanging rock & continuing back on an easy downhill road route back to start point. MODERATE grade walk, route between 10-12 miles, dependant on conditions. approx. 6hrs walking time. Ascent 1340ft / 406mtrs. total time 7hrs inc. stops.

As with any outdoor activity, walking carries some degree of inherent risk. Whilst we aim to avoid unnecessary risks, participants should have suitable clothing & take all reasonable precautions themselves to avoid injury. A reasonable suitable pace for the walk will be determined by the walk leader, which others must observe by keeping in visible distance, not lagging behind or advancing ahead. Attendees are ultimately responsible for their own safety.

Parking: on the roadside only, so you will need to plan early arrival as spaces are limited, especially if good weather forecast. Park only in marked spaces, NOT on grass - parking tickets have been issued! Advise car sharing if possible.

Meeting place: Outside the Roaches tea room, open from 9.00. Eta 9.30 & departing 9.45. The Tea room offers breakfasts, Staffordshire oatcakes, refreshments. http://www.roachestearooms.co.uk

Please note messages won't be monitored here on day of event, contact by phone only. Contact number 07.90.72.78.571, text messages preferably, calls only answered in half hour before the walk starting time or emergencies. Min number 10. Subject to cancellation if insufficient attendees or if adverse weather conditions forecast.

⚠️ You MUST have a clear photo of yourself to rsvp, otherwise you will be moved to 'not going'. This is to stop fake & hidden profiles.
🚫 Any banned members will automatically moved to 'not going'.

DON'T PULL OUT IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

• Covid-19 Saftey Guidelines *
• You MUST NOT attend this event if you have any of the following: Experiencing any symptom of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of COVID-19. Asked to self-isolate or shield during any period when attending an event organised by Go Heart of England. Been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared as non contagious by testing the day before.

I acknowledge that Go Heart of England cannot guarantee that I will not become infected with COVID-19. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, event hosts, and other assistants and their families.

Utilmately it's attendees responsibity to be aware both of the current guidelines & to be responsible their own safety precautions during the event