Today’s Macclesfield Forest is a multi-hued arboreal chequerboard across the steep slopes and sharp valleys at the source of the River Bollin. This walk explores such, rising to sublime viewpoints across Cheshire’s highest land, way up the Pennines and across to the Clwydian Mountains in North Wales. Shapely Shutlingsloe – the ‘Cheshire Matterhorn’ – draws the eye before tracks plunge through the Forest to bring you to Cheshire’s largest heronry at a woodland reservoir.
Note that the later stages of the walk include one thin, slippery path as an option, but easily identified alternatives are described so that any walker can choose the route which suits them best.
[1] Leaving the car park (SJ962712), turn left along the compacted path separated from the road. At the junction, cross to another path entrance and go right, soon rejoining the road, which passes the end of the reservoir, then advances left to the Leather's Smithy pub (look for roadside footpath on right after 50 m). Bear left at the pub (footpaths now narrow or non-existent; care needed approaching a farm on right). With Bottoms Reservoir on your right, slip right opposite some cottages onto the waterside track and cross the dam.
There are good views to the wooded arc of Macclesfield Forest from here.
[2] Go up the steps beyond the footbridge and turn right onto the rough lane beside Tegg's Nose Reservoir.
[3] Just before a gate closes the lane, fork left and cross the stepping stones onto a rough track that climbs across the lower flank of Tegg’s Nose hill. At the tarred lane, turn left and accompany this rarely-trafficked way up to the main road at Walker Barn.
[4] Turn right along this road (it is a very busy road, but there is a wider verge opposite). At the Peak District millstone boundary marker in 150m, fork right up Charity Lane to continue the gradual climb.
For the next 1500m the lanes have high walls, so take opportunities to take in the extensive views as they arise. Initially, these include fantastic views north up the line of the South Pennines, and west to the West Pennine Moors beyond the centre of Manchester and across the Cheshire Plain to the Clwydian mountains, with the great disc of Jodrell Bank telescope pointing your way.
At a sharp bend, look for Shining Tor to the east - the southern end of a long ridge and the highest point in Cheshire at 559m/(1,834ft).
Take the bend right, then immediately left onto the rougher track outside the forest edge.
On the horizon beyond the track's crest (at 477m/1,565ft, the highest point of the forest) Shining Tor and Axe Edge Moor can be seen ahead. Another Cheshire surprise: England's second highest pub, the Cat and Fiddle, is beside the distant hill-top transmitters.
The hollow way now descends, with the deep green vale secreting Wildboarclough village ahead.
[5] At the hamlet of Forest Chapel turn right on the tarred road.
(A) Tiny St Stephen’s church here welcomes visitors. The church retains a rushbearing ceremony each mid-August.
At the forest's edge, go left at the fingerpost, dropping to a path junction at a fenced corner. Go left, signed for Standing Stone, then after a section of boardwalk over the headwaters of the River Bollin and a steep zigzag climb, the path leads through a gate into the forest car park. Go left to the entrance and turn right to the nearby road junction and cross to the gated gravel track opposite.
[6] In 300m, at a small roadside pond on the left, fork left up the slope (small “Walkers Only” sign). After 50m, at a concessionary path sign, stop to consider your choice of route. READ THIS SECTION IN FULL IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR CHOICE.
There are three alternative routes from this point:
The easiest route bears right here (taking this route will reduce the walk length by 0.2 miles and the ascent/descent by 100 ft). After 100m gentle climb and a level section, follow the wall on your right. Descend to rejoin the gravel track via steps. After a further 150m you will find a bench, where the second route rejoins at [7]
For both of the other routes, fork left up the concessionary path and continue alongside a fence. After 150m ignore a gate with an Access Land disc facing you; continue along the fence outside the Access Land boundary. The path curves up, via gaps in walls, through an area of immature maples before meandering along the woodland-top path.
The pyramidal peak of Shutlingsloe soon etches an eye-catching skyline.
The path continues, reaching a wide stile (Access Land disc) at a fenced corner.
To continue with the main route (the second alternative) don’t climb the stile; rather, turn right and follow another concessionary path marker to a steeply dropping, narrow path alongside a fence. In 2012 this short (20m) descent was narrow and steep, not well established, with thick heather alongside; and the fence, topped with barbed wire, is very close at times, so considerable care is required. See the next paragraph for an easier alternative route recommended by National Park Rangers. Turn left with the fence, then drift down through the woods to reach a forestry road at a bench at [7].
For the easier alternative route from the fence corner, climb the stile. The track continues ahead and after 250 m curves left. Continue towards Shutlingsloe, crossing a stile after 250 m. Continue with a fence on your left for a further 300 m until the Shutlingsloe track joins from the right at a wall. Turn sharply back right and follow the track to re-enter the forest at the boundary wall. Drop down towards the gravel track (50m ahead) and turn left to arrive at [8].
[7] Continue (or bear) west along the road. After 250 m you will observe a bench up to your left where the main track from Shutlingsloe enters the forest.
[8] Continue west along the road, keeping downhill at all junctions and observing signs for Trentabank. Approaching the road at the foot of the slope, go right for the heronry viewpoint or turn left to return to the car park.