Trail Running > Routes > Peak District Routes > Three Shires Head & Axe Edge
A rugged 17 km trail run through the wild moorland, rocky cloughs and hidden corners of the South West Peak District.
Why run this trail?
I’m a big fan of the south-west corner of the Peak District. Smaller in scale than the Dark Peak, it nevertheless shares many of the same qualities: gritstone outcrops, rough moorland, knotty climbs and the occasional peat bog to keep things honest. Better still, it remains relatively unfashionable – meaning it’s usually possible to find long stretches of quiet trail all to yourself.
This route had been sitting in my planning folder for a while – researched, drafted and refined until it seemed to contain all the ingredients for a proper “nice bit of rough”. It didn’t disappoint.
Starting from Wildboarclough, the run climbs steadily on rocky trails before linking together a series of local landmarks: the famous packhorse bridges and plunge pools at Three Shires Head, the bleak moorland summit of Cheeks Hill – the highest point in Staffordshire – and the panoramic high point of Axe Edge (551 m). The return leg loops back via the old quarry workings of Danebower.
The opening and closing trails are more popular and well-defined, but the middle section is wilder and more committing. Some paths across the moor are faint, boggy and difficult to follow in poor visibility, making this a route best enjoyed with a decent weather window.
Wildboarclough to Three Shires Head
The run starts from Clough House Car Park. It’s pay and display, accepting cash or online payment. There’s no mobile signal in the valley, but payment can be made up to 24 hours later.
Head out of the car park past the farm, cross the lane and go through the gate into Cumberland Clough – a scenic green lane climbing steadily alongside the brook. The track becomes rockier and more rutted as it ascends past fir trees to a series of small waterfalls at the head of the clough.
Pass through the gate and bear right, continuing around the hillside as the landscape opens out with fine views of Shutlingsloe and The Roaches.
Continue climbing until you reach the A54. Cross carefully and descend the ladder stile opposite into the field below. Follow the track downhill through several fields until it narrows and drops alongside the River Dane towards Three Shires Head.
Three Shires Head to Orchard Farm
The old packhorse bridges and plunge pools at Three Shires Head make a scenic and deservedly popular stopping point. Historically, the pools watered packhorses carrying salt and goods across the moors. Crossing both bridges allows you to step between the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. I had the place to myself when I visited and promptly did exactly that.
Head through the gate by the larger of the bridges to continue on the rocky track as it climbs above a brook.
The path eventually emerges onto a small lane. Cross directly over the stile opposite and continue climbing up the steep bank towards the house above. Follow the footpath arrows carefully here – the route has apparently been legally re-routed and may differ slightly from OS maps.
Bear left to join a track contouring around the hillside above the house and follow it around the valley.
Orchard Farm to Cheeks Hill
As the track bends sharply around the head of a clough, take the path branching right onto the open moor. It’s easy to miss.
From here, the route becomes much rougher. The path is intermittent and very boggy; it’s a case of picking your line across any high ground you can find. This pattern continues for around a kilometre as you make your way towards Cheeks Hill.
Finding the top of Cheeks Hill is a challenge because there’s no distinct feature to mark it. At 520 m, it’s the highest point in Staffordshire, but it’s less a summit and more a high point in a large expanse of very rough moorland. Armed with a bearing and a degree of optimism, I settled on the top: a raised clump of drier ground by a small hollow of rocks.
Cheeks Hill to Axe Edge
Continue on the broad track descending from Cheeks Hill to a lane. Turn right, then immediately pass through the small wooden gate opposite onto the moor.
A broad vehicle track now undulates for around 600 m to a junction of paths. It’s worth taking in the views here: beyond the A54 lie Burbage Edge, the high moors above the Goyt Valley, and the distant bulk of the Kinder plateau.
Turn sharp right at the junction to briefly double back on yourself – you should see the prominent trig point of Axe Edge on the skyline. After 200 m, bear left onto the obvious summit path.
At 551 m, Axe Edge marks the high point of the route. Though modest in elevation, it feels very exposed and offers panoramic views across the Peak District: the Great Ridge and Kinder plateau to the north east, high definition views of Chrome Hill and the rolling dales to the south east and Shutlingsloe directly west.
Axe Edge to Orchard Farm
Continue south from the trig point on the broad ridge path until you rejoin the lane crossed earlier. Turn right and after 500 m turn left onto the moor by a footpath marker.
Follow the main track alongside a clough. It gradually develops into a vehicle track before becoming a metalled lane near Orchard Farm. Continue descending for 250 m, then take the right-hand fork at the split in the lane.
After a further 150 m, follow the fingerpost directing you up the bank on the right. This climbs back onto the contouring track near Orchard Farm used earlier on the route.
Orchard Farm to Danebower Hollow
Continue along the track around the valley, ignoring the earlier turning to Cheeks Hill. After around 1 km on the Dane Valley Way, you’ll reach the abandoned quarry workings at Reeve-edge.
The trail winds through old workings, broken stone walls and spoil heaps. It’s a quiet, atmospheric place that adds another layer of character to the run.
You’ll shortly arrive at a brook – cross using the stepping stones and make your way up the stony bank opposite towards the remains of a circular building. Turn left here to continue up the steep, rocky hillock and over the other side to emerge in a small valley, with quarry screes to your left and views of The Roaches beyond.
Continue climbing towards the A54. Just before the large chimney on the bank below, take the small path sharply uphill and over a stile to join the road. Cross carefully and pass through the gate opposite onto the moor at Danebower Hollow.
Danebower Hollow to Wildboarclough
Continue climbing gradually on the obvious track, keeping the large peat groughs to your right. After 1 km, take the left hand track which drops down the hillside.
The trail soon narrows through a small ravine, passing waterfalls, rocky outcrops and increasingly steep sides as it drops back towards Cumberland Clough.
Once you reach the waterfall at the head of the clough, simply retrace your outward route back to the car park. It’s a nice downhill finish and an ideal opportunity to let rip on the final strait.
Refreshment options in Wildboarclough – much like the mobile signal – are non-existent. There are no cafés, pubs or visitor centres here; just quiet trails, open moorland and a lingering sense of wilderness that feels all the more rewarding for its lack of fanfare.
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Disclaimer
All routes and GPX files are provided as a guide only. Conditions, rights of way, and landmarks may change. Always carry an up‑to‑date map and use your own judgement. See the Trail Run Disclaimer page for details.