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The River Hamps which flows
(not always) through Waterhouses is one of those
which frequently chooses to travel underground.
The limestone rock is porous and in many places,
rivers disappear into "swallet" holes and run
through underground channels. Following heavy rain
when the underground channel cannot cope, there
may be a surface river for some time but, often in
summer, the visitor will be amazed to find dry
river beds of water-smoothed limestone.
From Waterhouses to Hulme End, the track bed of
the defunct Leek & Manifold Light Railway (closed
1934) is now a paved walkers' and cyclists' path.
This is one of several traffic-free routes where
cycling is actively promoted. The Visitor Centre
at Hulme End, once the railway's booking office,
has a pack of six leaflets: "Cycle & See the
Staffordshire Moorlands", also available from the
Tourist Information Office at Leek (01538 483741).
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