|
The Western Edge, The Peak District
|
|
Grade: 2
|
|
Overview: A circular walk along te western edge of the Peak District, with extensive views over the Cheshire Plain.
|
|
|
|
Views: 2*
Technicality: 2
Strenuousness: 2
Technical Grade: 1
Photogenic Grade: 2
Start Point: SJ 961 711
|
Route
Section 1 :
Macclesfield Forest to Shuttlingsloe
Length: 1.54 miles ( 2.5Km)
Height Gain: 839ft ( 256m):
From the Trentabank Reservoir Car Park take the short path alonside the road to reach the main path heading up through the woodland. The path heads steadily uphill to a junction, where you turn left, following the wooden sign towards Shuttlingsloe. PAss through a gate onto a bridleway which skirts the wood boundary before heading right at the next Shuttlingsloe signpost and through a gate onto open moorland. Once onto the moorland follow the obvious paved path, crossing a bridge, to a stile with the first view of Shuttlingsloe ahead. Cross another stile to the steep climb up the side of Shuttlingsloe and the summit trig point. From here there are extensive views across the whole Cheshire Plain to Liverpool and on a good day the welsh mountains.
Section 2
Shuttligsloe to Shining Tor
Length: 4.5 miles 7.25 Km)
Height Gain: 1049ft (320m)
From the summit of Shuttlingsloe head west then south west down the opposite side of the hill to join the track south of Banktop. Turn left along the farm track that runs parallell to the road with woods on your right.Cross the road, then cross another smaller road just past Clough House to start the climb up alongside Cumberland Brook. Continue uphill to a small bridge where you turn left, again following a stream uphill to join a wide track across the moorland.
Continue North towards the Cat & Fiddle pub on the skyline. At the pub turn left for a short distance along the side of the busy A537 to a lay-by and a hard track heading straight across the moors. Take this track to the first junction, where you turn right and continue ahead to a gate. turn left here for the steep climb up to the summit of Shining Tor, the highest point in Cheshire.
Section 3:
Shining Tor to Macclesfield Forest
Length: 6.9 miles (11.1 Km)
Height Gain: 944ft (288m)
At the Summit of Shining Tor turn right to a stile on your left after a few yards. The path now heads downhill over open moorland to Lamaload Reservoir, passing woods on your left. On reaching the road turn right, then turn left into the car park at the reservoir. A path through the woods on the north side of the reservoir heads left to a junction, where you should turn left to walk down the other side of Lamaload. Follow this path south east to Lower Ballgreave farm, then turn right at the main path junction atSj 972 745.
A path now climbs south west to the main A 537 (take care - busy road) at Walker Barn. At the road turn right and go round the right hand bend before crossing the road and taking a minor road on the left. Almost immediately take the stile on the left and head uphill towards the obvious farm buildings. Pass Warrilowhead Farm on your left and continue uphill past Ashtreetop before crossing a minor road (Hacked Way Lane).
Cross Hacked Way Lane into macclesfield Forest and continue to a junction where you turn left. After a few yards you meet the main track heading downhill to the south. After another mile you emerge onto a minor road.
This road and the next are part of the Cheshire "Quiet Lanes" initiative where priority is equal between pedestrians, cars, bikes and horses. Turn right along the road and continue past Higher Ridgegate on your right to a road junction at the corner of Ridgegate Reservoir. Turn sharp left at the junction and follow the road alongside the reservoir to another junction where a left turn will bring you back to your starting point.
Matt C
