Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk Route Guide

Route Description for Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk

Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk
Although the Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk is a well-travelled and maintained route, certain aspects of the trail might impede travel for some visitors. Portions of the trail are often saturated with water and are very muddy, while others are more stoney, steep, and uneven. Make sure to wear proper footwear in order to stay comfortable on this walk. Additionally, there are many free-roaming sheep in the area, so keep your dogs on-leash if you are thinking of bringing them along for the journey.

As with many of the walks in the Peak District, this route traverses the moorland and provides some breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain. Reaching the point where the three shires converge, walkers will find a charming packhorse bridge from the 18th-century at Three Shires Head, the sight of which can be viewed on many a calendar. For the minimal amount of effort required to complete this scenic walk, the scenery is an ample reward that will leave you wishing you had spent even more time out on the trail.

Planning Your Visit to Three Shires Head

Parking and getting started in Flash

The walk sets out from the village, right in front of The New Inn, which has the designation of being Britain’s highest village pub and is a likely spot to end your walk with a rewarding pint. There is not a designated car park for this trail, meaning walkers will need to park somewhere in the village. On busy weekends, it’s worth arriving earlier to make parking easier before heading out toward Three Shires Head.

Best time to walk

Three Shires Head is popular year-round, but the moorland sections can feel very different depending on the weather. After rainfall, expect the approach to Three Shires Head to be boggy and muddy in places, while drier spells make the track and field crossings more comfortable underfoot.

Dogs, sheep, and gates

If you are bringing a dog, keep them on-leash throughout, particularly near livestock and in fields. The route to Three Shires Head includes gates, stiles, and narrow paths, so be prepared to manage a dog safely when crossing these features.

Family-friendliness and trail conditions

This route can be a great outing for confident walkers, but the muddy ground, uneven stone sections, and steep banks may not suit everyone. If you are walking with children, take extra care on slippery sections near water and on steep, rocky terrain around Three Shires Head.

Safety notes for Three Shires Head

Even though the route is well used, conditions can change quickly on the moors. Sturdy footwear is essential, and it’s a good idea to allow extra time if the ground is saturated. Around Three Shires Head, take care near the riverbanks, stepping stones, and wet rock, especially after rain.

With the pub on your left, make your way west along the road as you pass by the Wesleyan Chapel on your right. Follow the road downhill for 0.8 km until you reach the point just before it turns. Turn right and walk along the laneway to make your way past Farbrook Farm.

Walk between the two buildings and pass through the metal gate to arrive at a junction with another gate to your left. Make your way through the gate and follow along the narrow path until you reach a stile that you will need to cross in order to continue. Shortly afterward, you will come to a small stream that you can cross via a series of stepping stones or by utilizing a bridge that is slightly overgrown with vegetation.

Upon crossing the stream, follow the trail signs at the end of the bridge to make your way up a steep, rocky bank. From here, head across the field to a stile next to a metal gate that will lead you across another field towards a farm. Keep the wall on your right and pass through a small gate just as you approach the farm to make your way up the drive towards the road. Once you reach the road, head left and follow it for 0.4 km, where you will arrive at a small gate near another farm.

Make your way through the gate and continue on to where the trail forks. Keep right here and continue along the stoney track for 1.2 km, ignoring any side trails that may come up. As you walk along the track with the looming hill on your right, you will pass through a metal gate and continue to the bottom of the valley, where you will come to the packhorse bridge at Three Shires Head. This is the location where Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire all meet, and it is a scenic spot to sit and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere along the banks of the River Dane. Take some time to explore the area and view the cascading waterfall before continuing on your walk.

To head east along the track, do not cross over the packhorse bridge at Three Shires Head. Instead, head to the right and through a metal gate to continue along the rocky edge of a lovely stream. Reaching a trail post, turn right and make your way over a small stone bridge before beginning an uphill climb for 0.4 km to arrive at Knotbury Edge Lane. From here, turn right and follow along the lane as it passes by small cottages and turns a bend to the right. When you come to a junction with a quiet road, follow it to the left and make your way around the bend.

Reaching another junction, turn right to cross over another stone bridge and begin a climb up the moors. Follow the trail posts and use the wall as a guide to make your way up this steep and boggy section of the trail. Reaching the top of the hill, follow the path to the right of the rocks and make your way to the corner of the wall, where you will find a gate opening.

From here, continue along the walled track and cross over the stile. Make a right at the marker and follow the wall on your right to cross over another stile and arrive at a junction. Head through the left gate by the waymarker post and keep left to cross over several fields and two stiles. After passing the cottages on your left, head through the small gate and turn left to cross another stile. From here, continue along the stone track to return to the village and have a celebratory pint for having completed the Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk.

What’s New at Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk in 2026

There are no confirmed changes to access, route conditions, or trail management for the Flash and Three Shires Head Circular Walk in 2026. Walkers should continue to expect boggy ground in wet weather and uneven surfaces on moorland sections, particularly after periods of heavy rain. As always, follow local signs if any short-term path diversions appear near Three Shires Head.

Trail Highlights

Three Shires Head

The Three Shires Head is a location on Axe Head Moor, where three different regions (Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire) converge on one spot. The area is characterized by the rushing waters of the River Dane, rolling green hills, and a beautiful packhorse bridge that was constructed in the 18th century. Many walkers treat Three Shires Head as the natural halfway point of the route, taking time to enjoy the waterfall and the quiet valley atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Three Shires Head suitable for a quick visit?

Three Shires Head can be visited as part of the circular walk from Flash, or as a shorter out-and-back from nearby access points. Conditions underfoot can still be muddy and uneven, particularly near the river at Three Shires Head.

Is Three Shires Head busy?

Three Shires Head can be busy on weekends and holidays, especially in fair weather. Arriving earlier in the day usually makes the experience quieter around the bridge and waterfall at Three Shires Head.

Are there toilets along the trail?

There are no public toilets along the trail, so keep that in mind when planning your walk to Three Shires Head.

Is there parking at the trailhead?

There is not a designated car park for this trail, meaning walkers will need to park somewhere in the village.

Multi-day walking trips in England

If you enjoy routes like this and want to plan a longer point-to-point journey, have a look at self-guided walking holidays in England.

Find other amazing walks in Peak District National Park:

• Kinder Scout
• Mam Tor
• Stanage Edge
• Dovedale Walk
• Padley Gorge