The Sandstone Trail is one of the best kept secrets in Northwest England. Boasting the kind of abundant beauty, far-reaching views, ancient history, rare wildlife and idyllic scenery you would expect from a route three times the distance, this little-praised ridge walk is a rare gem indeed.

With a leisurely yet at times challenging terrain, this middle-distance route is well-waymarked and offers unbroken and elevated hiking combined with a great mix of hill climbs, woodland walks, plus strolls through farmland, along canals and even into a few spooky caves.

The Sandstone Trail journeys for 34 miles (55 km) southwards from Frodsham, in Cheshire, to Whitchurch, in rural north Shropshire.

Some highlights along the way include: Delamere Forest, Cheshire's largest area of woodland; Beeston Castle, one of the most dramatically-sited medieval structures in England with one of the best views, too; many Iron Age forts; scientifically-important nature reserves; plus more summits than you would expect.

In this itinerary I split the Sandstone Trail into three stages, each averaging 11.7 miles (18.8 km), which makes for a lovely long weekend. Of course, you can split up each stage into as many days as you are comfortable with. You can also walk any single stage, or a couple of stages, in isolation.

Every stage finishes close to accommodation, even if there are only a few options nearby. However, places to stay are not always abundant so it's worth planning ahead.

You can hike this route at any time of year and each season offers a unique perspective on the scenery. The standard way to walk the route is as shown here. There is nothing stopping you hiking it the other direction, though. Sturdy footwear and waterproofs are recommended at all times of year. Be sure to pack sunscreen in the summer months.

If you are planning to arrive by public transport, you can catch a train to Frodsham railway station, which is served by direct trains from Manchester and Liverpool. To get home, Whitchurch railway station has direct trains to Manchester and has connecting services around the country.