The Punchbowl car park entrance – starting point of our final Wilderness Walk of 2025
Get ready for a December wander with Lee as he wraps up the year’s walks in one of Cannock Chase’s most characterful landscapes. Expect quiet forest tracks, big views, and a very welcome mince pie break along the way…
In a nutshell
Date: Friday 19th December 2025
Start Time: 9:30am prompt
Finish Time: Around 12:30pm
Start Point: The Punchbowl Car Park, A513 near Milford, Stafford, ST17 0XA
OS Grid Reference: SJ 98390 20751
What3Words: jubilant.puzzles.shrug
Parking: Free, but watch for potholes
Toilets: None on site – please plan ahead
Walk Type: 4 – Moderately Difficult — good fitness and mobility required
Dogs: Not permitted on this walk
What to expect
This final walk of 2025 begins at The Punchbowl car park before picking up a stretch of The Staffordshire Way and heading deeper into the forest.
The scenery will quickly change as we wander beneath a mix of Scots pine, Corsican pine, larch and red cedar. It’s a real patchwork of winter woodland!
A steady climb leads to one of the route’s best moments—sweeping views across the treetops below. Once we reach the high point, it’s time to savour something seasonal! Lee will break out the mince pies as we take a short rest beside a gentle stream — the perfect breather before the final stretch.
The return leg loops back onto The Staffordshire Way. This part will offer a calmer conclusion to the last Wilderness Walk before Christmas.
Here, you can expect muddy patches, some loose stony descents, and a few short, punchy climbs. We’ll take a steady pace so everyone can enjoy the scenery.
Christmas hats are absolutely welcome, by the way!
What to bring
To help you stay warm, safe and comfortable in changing Winter conditions, please bring:
- Walking boots (or sturdy walking shoes)
- Quick-drying trousers or leggings — not jeans
- Warm layers: base layer, mid-layer or fleece, padded coat, waterproof jacket and trousers
- Hat and gloves
- Personal medications (e.g. inhaler)
- Around 1 litre of water or cold drink
- A small, leakproof flask of tea or coffee for the break
- Snacks or sweets for a mid-walk boost
- Binoculars if you have them (possible sightings include Sparrowhawk and Red Kite)
- Fully charged mobile phone and emergency contact details
- A small backpack for your essentials
- Hiking poles (optional, but there are some slippier downhill sections).
Route snapshot
Start: 9:30am
Finish: Approx. 12:30pm
Terrain: Mixed forest tracks, muddy patches, steady climbs, loose stony descents
Pace: Relaxed but consistent
Suitable for: Walkers with good fitness and reliable mobility
This is not a suitable route for beginners or anyone currently managing injury or illness. The terrain is more suited to confident walkers.
Fitness level guide
1: Very Easy – can be done without training
2: Easy – possible without preparation
3: Somewhat Demanding – basic fitness required
4: Moderately Difficult – good fitness and mobility required
5: Demanding – good fitness essential; prior training recommended
6: Very Demanding – very good fitness and previous training essential
This walk is rated 4 (Moderately Difficult).
Up for it?
This festive walk is the perfect way to round off the year. Peaceful trails, Winter views, woodland wildlife, and, of course, a well-deserved mince pie at the halfway point.
Come along for some pre-Christmas fresh air and enjoy the last Wilderness Walk of 2025 with Lee.
It promises to be a memorable morning out in the forest before everyone heads off for the holidays.
Do you need our help?
To find out more about how Walk Talk Action can help, you can email Teri at info@walktalkaction.co.uk Or, if you’d like to join one of our sessions, you can complete our application form.
