Acton Bridge from the Eureka Cafe
A favourite loop of Chester and North Wales CTC, the route starts from the famous Eureka Cyclists Café near Ledsham.
After a short section on the A540 heading east we are soon on country lanes heading for Capenhurst and then the A5117. Using the cycle path along the A5117 takes us to Little Stanney then Mickle Trafford. We have a short section on the A56 then turn into lanes again taking us to Mouldsworth and through the very pleasant but lumpy Delamere Forest.
From Delamere we progress through Norley and Crowton and then through traffic free lanes to the cycling/footpath alongside the Weaver Navigation. On the footpath we pass under the Dutton Viaduct which carries the West Coast main railway line over the River weaver and the Weaver Navigation. The viaduct was built in 1836 and is a grade 2 listed building.
We dismount and cross to the other side of the river at Dutton Locks with thereafter a short traffic free ride to our usual lunch stop at the Leigh Arms.To avoid crossing the busy A49, pass under the Acton (swing) bridge.
Our return route is less dramatic and takes us through various lanes back to Hatchmere where we turn left on the B5152. This road takes us past the Delamere Forest Visitor centre where there is a cafe for tea and cakes, you can hire a mountain bike to trail the forest or if you have three hours to spare participate in high rope activities in the forest trees.
The B5152 takes us on to Cotebrooke then to Waverton, the Greenway and a return to the Eureka Café. The route is as equally rideable in the opposite direction.