Day 4/5 🥾 The Two Saints Way, Staffordshire and Cheshire

With temperatures climbing into the 30s, Day 4 of the Two Saints Way was all about sensible decision-making. The goal was simple: reach the planned stopping point, head into Chester for a proper reset and set myself up for a strong finish on the final day.

ℹ️ Stats

Weather: hot and sunny 30° 🔥

From: next to Wychwood

Start time: 6.50am

To: Old Davenport Arms

End time: 2.50pm

Accommodation: hotel 🏨

Terrain: roads, forests, grassy paths

🥾 Km: 29.29

🥾 Miles: 18.3

🦶 Steps: 35,711

Total Distance: 78 miles / 125.29km | 84% Done ✅

💰 Costs

£3.57 – water & Lucozade

£3 – bus to Chester

£58 – accommodation

£12.40 – blueberries, strawberries, ice cream & egg salad

Subjective Feeling Out of 10

Enjoyment: 8/10

Fatigue: 3/10

Ease of terrain: 3/10

⭐️ Highlights: Shower 🚿 at the hotel, quick check-in and being able to do a proper reset. Yoga and stretching helped my body feel really good.

🏔️ Challenges: The heat! So intense! 🔥

💭 Thoughts: Final push tomorrow 🙌 Let's finish strong 💪

Two Saints Way: Day 4 – A Night of Recovery in Chester

Beating the Heat

Another very hot and sunny day on the Two Saints Way, with temperatures definitely pushing into the 30s ☀️.

Today's goal was very clear in my mind: get to the 77-mile marker.

I knew that once I reached that point, I could catch the bus into Chester, enjoy a proper rest and set myself up well for the final push tomorrow.

The final stretch of today's walk followed the canal, which meant relatively easy, fast and flat walking.

There wasn't much to think about other than putting one foot in front of the other and steadily ticking off the miles 🥾.

The sooner I reached my destination, the sooner I could get into Chester.

Heading into Chester

I arrived at the bus stop at around 3pm, which was perfect timing.

Even better, the bus only cost £3 for what turned out to be about a 50-minute journey right into the centre of Chester.

My accommodation was only a five-minute walk from the bus station, and the route conveniently took me past Tesco, which felt like a little bit of luxury after a few days on the trail.

I picked up some blueberries, strawberries, an ice cream and an egg salad, exactly the kind of food I was craving 🍓.

The Best Part of Any Multi-Day Hike

Check-in was incredibly easy since I'd already paid for everything in advance.

I headed straight up to my room, had some food and then enjoyed one of the best parts of any multi-day hike:

A shower 🚿.

I spent the rest of the afternoon doing all the little jobs that make such a difference on a long walk.

I did some yoga on the floor, charged all of my electronics, hand-washed my clothes and simply relaxed.

It was glorious.

Preparing for the Final Day

I also spent a bit of time looking ahead at tomorrow's route using the Hiiker app.

The final day is looking pretty good.

There's a little bit of navigation to begin with before joining another long stretch of canal path.

Overall, I'm feeling really good.

The decision to break the trail up a little differently and spend the night in Chester was absolutely the right one.

This trip was never about pushing myself to the point of exhaustion or proving that I could finish it in a certain number of days.

It's a training hike.

It's about preparing for the GR5, learning what my body needs and remembering what life on the trail feels like.

Ready for the Finish

Tonight is all about rest, recovery and enjoying a proper bed 🛏️.

Then tomorrow, it's time for the final push to the finish.

Continue the Journey 🥾

The final day is here. Follow Day 5 as I complete the Two Saints Way and arrive at Chester Cathedral after five days on the trail.

➡️ Read Day 5/5: The Two Saints Way, Staffordshire and Cheshire