Macclesfield Forest


The meeting time of 8.30 saw a group of nine keen walkers assembled at Trentabank Car Park, just as the drizzle started coming down! Undeterred we headed out towards Langley, which was the opposite direction to Shutlingsloe, where I knew we were headed, but I trusted John knew what he was doing! We crossed Bottoms Reservoir to skirt the edge of Tegg’s Nose before cutting back through the forest to emerge at Forest Chapel, and from there we headed in the direction of the ‘Cheshire Matterhorn’.


Any members of our group who had lulled themselves into a false sense of security when we hadn’t climbed Tegg’s Nose, where now rudely awoken by the ascent of Shutlingsloe! Our effort was rewarded by decent views, as the mizzle that had accompanied us so far seemed to have stopped and the top was mist-free, though a bit blowy. We gathered for a group photo and then we dropped slightly beneath the peak to enjoy our first break at 5 and a half miles.

We then continued down the steep side of the hill and crossed some moorland over to three shires head, which was all the more charming for not having any of the crowds that are often seen here at the weekends. It was around this time we saw some Muscovy ducks ‘bathing’ in what looked like very muddy puddles. There was not a pond or river in sight so I suppose it was the best they could manage! After leaving three shires head we followed a clear route across pleasant fields to Gradbach. We passed the youth hostel and followed the river until we climbed gradually through the woods and out onto open land where we reached the Swythamley Hanging Stone.

From the stone we descended to Danebridge and then walked up through the village of Wincle, carried on past the Ship Inn (to the consternation of some!) and stopped on a nearby lane for lunch, at the 12 and a half mile point. We were soon joined by a couple of friendly (or was it hungry?) donkeys. After lunch we passed through Wincle Grange with its lovely red sandstone farmhouse, and dropped down into the bottom of the valley, where we crossed the brook and started the punishing climb up Wincle Minn. Or it felt punishing after 14 miles!

The day had really cleared up by this time and there were excellent views across both sides of Wincle Minn. I made the mistake of thinking, ‘Wow, look how high up we are. It must be all downhill from here, right? Right?’. Wrong. No sooner had we dropped down from the lofty heights of Wincle Minn than we were once again climbing, this time up to the radio mast on Sutton Common. As we were catching our breath at the top, John assured us that there were no more big climbs to come, and although understandably sceptical, sure enough the Gritstone Trail led us a gentle path back to the Forest, where we retraced the last half mile back to the car park at Trentabank.

Two independent adjudicators (people with GPSs) measured the final distance at bang on 20 miles and my Garmin reckoned a total ascent of just over 4,400ft, which my knees can vouch for. We managed to remain standing for a final group photo before dispersing. Thanks to John for a great walk arranged at short notice.

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