Bickerton Hill, Maiden Castle and Raw Head
Cheshire
Bickerton Hill is a National Trust reserve on the Mid Cheshire Ridge, its red sandstone rising through heath and woodland to Raw Head, which at 227 metres is the highest point on the 55 kilometre Sandstone Trail. Galloway cattle graze here for conservation, so a dog goes on a lead in places, ranging through heath and woodland scented with gorse. This 3.5 kilometre circular walk climbs from the Pool Lane car park through silver birch, oak and holly to Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort of around 600 BC whose curved ramparts still cross the ridge. From the trig point at Raw Head the ground drops away sharply, opening views across the Cheshire Plain to the Welsh hills. The climb gains around 213 metres over a short distance, so the going is steep and rocky in places, with loose sandstone underfoot near the summit.
This is a dog friendly walk with moderate off-lead potential on the open heath, where paths are wide and sightlines long. Galloway cattle graze parts of the hill, so dogs need a lead and a wide berth around livestock, and a lead is required from March to July for ground-nesting birds. There is no water on the route, and the sandstone crags around Raw Head have genuine drops, so a dog with reliable recall suits the summit best. The woodland lower down gives good shade and rich scent. Parking is free at the National Trust car park on Goldford Lane, and the Bickerton Poacher in the village is a short drive away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; Bickerton Poacher pub in the village nearby
- Parking
- National Trust Pool Lane car park, free, off Goldford Lane, Bickerton
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Bickerton Hill, Maiden Castle and Raw Head, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CheshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Bickerton Hill, Maiden Castle and Raw Head dog friendly?
Bickerton Hill is a solid choice for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The 3.5 kilometre circular walk takes in open heath, woodland of silver birch, oak and holly, and the Iron Age ramparts of Maiden Castle — plenty to keep a curious dog engaged. The main consideration is the Galloway cattle that graze parts of the hill for conservation, which means leads are needed in certain areas.
Can dogs be off lead at Bickerton Hill, Maiden Castle and Raw Head?
There's moderate off-lead potential on the open heath, where wide paths and long sightlines give dogs room to roam. That said, leads are required around the Galloway cattle and from March to July to protect ground-nesting birds. Near the summit at Raw Head, the sandstone crags have genuine drops, so a dog with reliable recall is a real advantage up there.
What should I know before visiting Bickerton Hill, Maiden Castle and Raw Head with my dog?
The climb to Raw Head gains around 213 metres over a short distance, with steep, rocky sections and loose sandstone near the top — good to bear in mind for older or less agile dogs. There's no water on the route, so bring plenty with you. Parking is free at the National Trust car park on Goldford Lane, and the Bickerton Poacher pub in the village is a short drive away if you fancy a post-walk stop.
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