NCN Route 75

Route 75 is unusual as it starts deep in the heart of Shropshire at Market Drayton and links into national Route 5 at Winsford. We will also share part of the route with 70 and 74.

Unless you have followed the route from Market Drayton, Audlem may be a suitable starting point. If you want to start at the county boundary though, the road is very narrow with some steep climbs.

Before reaching Audlem you may want to check out the famous canal locks between Swanbach and Audlem village. If you do, just divert left at Kinsey Heath and follow this road until you reach the canal. Please push your bikes down past the locks, there are lots of pedestrians and canal users and the path is not that wide. It's also quite steep!

Take some time in Audlem it's a beautiful village with a lovely tea shop or two! From Audlem follow the A525 for a short distance. This is an A road though not as busy as some, it still carries some heavy traffic at times. This section is common with the Cheshire Cycleway, Route 70.

The landscape is undulating and open and you will head north towards Ravensmoor and Nantwich. The latter section being common with Route 74. Canals are still a feature of this area and once beyond Nantwich, you will cross yet another part of the Shropshire Union Canal, this time, the Middlewich Branch.

A boating Marina provides an opportunity to rest and watch the canal boats negotiating the locks. The last section takes you through Cholmondeston and Wettenhall before reaching the outskirts of Winsford. Follow signs through Winsford centre and you will drop down to the Weaver Navigation and Route 5 where it heads north along the Weaver Cycle Route towards Northwich or south towards Sandbach.

Please use Ordnance Survey map and signs. Please note that the downloadable route pack details were produced by the former Cheshire County Council.

Grade: National Cycle Network
Distance: 38km/ 24 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Map: OS Landranger 118
Terrain: Country lanes, public roads, off road tracks
Barriers: N/A
Toilets: Public toilets in most towns passed through