Trails of hidden crags of Frodsham Hill

Frodsham is at the northern end of the Sandstone Trail, a 34-mile (55km) walk. The sandstone ridge that bounds the western edge of the Cheshire Plain is not completely continuous but does dominate the lowlands along much of its length. In a few places it breaks out into real crags, notably at Beeston and at Frodsham and Helsby.

Bare and bold

Frodsham and Helsby hills form a classic case of what geographers call an escarpment. The strata slope gently down to the south-east: this is the dip slope, while the craggy fronts facing the Mersey are the scarp. The crags of Frodsham mostly lurk among the trees and are only seen at close quarters. Helsby is a different story: its crags are higher and stand out bare and bold in a profile recognisable from many miles away.

Both sets of crags were once popular with climbers. Until the 1970s Helsby was regarded as a crag of considerable significance. Today, however, it is out of favour. One reason, at least according to climbing legend, is the development of a fertiliser factory just downwind! In the case of the smaller crags of Frodsham, once favoured for short practice climbs, the development of artificial climbing walls is probably the most significant factor in their fall from popularity.

From the car park, follow the lane right. After 100yds (91m), go left along the Sandstone Trail. Over a stile, cautiously walk straight across a golf course to woods at the far side. Take the stepped path ahead, which curves left at the top of crags, passing above Jacob's Ladder before descending steps into Dunsdale Hollow.

Follow the Sandstone Trail left towards Delamere, rising below green-faced cliffs and up rock-cut steps onto the scar. Continue along the edge, eventually reaching a viewpoint. Keep ahead at a fork, later reaching a second fork just before a clearing. Bear left within the trees, steadily losing height. Keep dropping to reach a T-junction and go right, remaining with the broad track and ultimately meeting a lane. Turn right.

Go left into Burrows Lane. At the first bend, go through a kissing gate on the right and follow the field-edge away. Leave the second field over a plank bridge, swinging left beside a final field to reach another lane.

Head uphill for 100yds (91m) before leaving right on a track that soon narrows to a path. Just beyond a gate, head right up a bank and keep with the field perimeter to a gate in the far corner. A fenced path leads to another lane. Walk up to the end and bear left along a track. Reaching a barrier, go right, climbing onto Helsby Hill.

Swing right at the trig point to take a descending path across the wooded slope of the hill. At an eventual fork, branch right, soon dropping to a stile and crossing path. Follow it left to emerge onto Old Chester Road. Go right and first right again onto Bates Lane. Just past Landscape Dene, leave left on a narrow path between houses towards Woodhouses and Frodsham. Entering a field, head to a gate at the far side. Cross the end of a street to a path opposite. Keep going over a stream and rough meadow, passing through a gate and over a footbridge onto a narrow lane. Walk up to the end.

Turn left and first right up Longhouse Drive. At the bend, leave through a gate on the left and follow a path beneath the wooded slope towards Frodsham. Eventually, after winding around the foot of a hollow, climb steeply beside a high stone wall. Go right at the top, soon returning to the junction below Jacob's Ladder.

Keep left, up the steps and back to the junction near the golf course. However, now go left towards Frodsham. The way undulates below the craggy edge. Ignore a crossing stepped path, but at a later fork, bear right to emerge from the wood at Mersey View by the Frodsham War Memorial and an AA topograph. Turn right on a grass path through the park, leaving beside the memorial gates. Walk right up the lane back to the car park.