Three Shires Head Circular from Gradbach

Three Shires Head Circular from Gradbach is a 3.9-mile anticlockwise loop with about 182 metres of ascent. It climbs through fields and farm tracks to the River Dane, where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet beside an old packhorse bridge and twin cascades, then returns along the river and a farm lane. Budget 2–3 hours, depending on how long you stop at the pools. The falls become the midpoint of a proper countryside walk.

Start at the stream-side corner of Gradbach Car Park, cross the wooden footbridge, then walk diagonally across a field to the road. Turn uphill and take the signed path beside a driveway, past the house and through the gate. The gradual climb follows fields and dry-stone walls, with open views over grazed hills. The paths are rocky in places and can be hard to pick out at junctions. At the top, take the left gate, cross the fields, then climb briefly to the track for the final 900 metres to the river.

Three Shires Head is the meeting point of the three counties on the River Dane. Two bridges span the water near a pair of cascades and pools; the low packhorse arch is the landmark that makes this a memorable stop. For the route’s signature photo, frame the arch above the water with both falls below it. The rocks around the pools are very slippery, so keep to stable ground.

Cross the bridges and follow the path downstream with the river on your left. After about 500 metres, take the signed path across fields toward the farmhouse; at the third wall, keep left for a gated lane. Follow it for about 1.5 kilometres. Just past Bennettshitch Farm, take the footpath on the left down to the road, then turn left and walk about 150 metres over the bridge to the starting gate. Gradbach Car Park fills quickly on weekends and school holidays. There are no public toilets or eateries on the route; Blaze Farm is a separate stop for ice cream or cake. Dogs can use the public paths; keep them on a short fixed lead near livestock.