Horse riding
rWe welcome horse riders to come and explore Cannock Chase on its network of 133 kms of bridleways. The network provides some of the most extensive and picturesque off-road riding in England. Local trekking centres can offer tuition and guided rides in a safe environment. Walkers and cyclists can also use bridleways.
The public bridleways are shown as long green dashes on Ordnance Survey Explorer map no. 244 Cannock Chase & Chasewater – Stafford, Rugeley and Cannock. You can use the Ordnance Survey app for free but additional features are available to subscribers.
Please see the British Horse Society (BHS) website on how to be a responsible rider and Riding Out and Hacking information..
There are a variety of routes available on the Ordnance survey app and also on the BHS website mapping pages.
- Two Riding Routes Starting at Milford Common (1 MB)
- Two Riding Routes Starting at Milford Common – Map (430 KB)
- Two Riding Routes Starting at Seven Springs Car Park (1 MB)
- Two Riding Routes Starting at Seven Springs Car Park – Map (442 KB)
The National Landscape doesn’t have any designated horse box parking. Typically horse riders park up on the Punch Bowl, Seven Springs, Whitehouse and Penkridge Bank car parks and Milford Common car park. Please see map on the Plan your visit page for where the car parks are located.
Map for car park locations.
The network of bridleways across Cannock Chase provides some of the most extensive and picturesque off road riding in England. Riders are warmly welcomed to ride on the Chase but are asked to:
- Only use bridleways and designated concessionary routes for horses.
- Stick to the waymarked routes – riding across heathland and other valuable habitats can cause damage to rare plant communities and disturb wildlife.
- Show consideration to other users, especially children and older people; please pass walkers and cyclists in a walk or trot and give them room.
- When ground conditions are especially wet, consider using alternative routes which will not become churned up.
- Never ride on footpaths or private land.