Get Lost Mountaineering

Shutlingsloe from Macclesfield Forest East Car Park

Start/Finish

Macclesfield Forest East Car Park at SJ 977 714. This can be reached from the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton Road by taking the minor road south for Wildboarclough which starts about 1.5 miles east of Walker Barn or about 2 miles west of the Cat and Fiddle. Drive down this road to the junction by the Stanley Arms, Turn right, still following the valley down, In about 250 m, take the right fork and follow it for about half a mile to the car park bt a T junction. Parking is free but at busy times may fill up quickly. There are no facilities.

Distance/Time

10 km      About 3 - 4 hours

Peaks

Shutlingsloe, 506 m, SJ 977 696.     OS Outdoor Leisure 24: White Peak.

Introduction

This is an easy and pleasant walk with good views on a clear day which include Shining Tor. On a misty day, navigation is not too taxing as there are good paths to follow. The paths can be boggy in parts so gaiters are recommended. This is a fairly short circuit taking in Shutlingsloe; longer circuits are possible. Shutlingsloe is often referred to as “The Cheshire Matterhorn” because of its triangular appearance which is most obvious from the east.

Route

(1) Walk out of the car park to the T junction and take the track signed for Shutlingsloe on a good track. Soon, another track forks off left. Take this, which soon becomes a grassy path, and follow it up on to the crest of Buxtor's Hill. The path continues S, crossing some wet ground where cattle often graze, to reach the slabbed path which leads up to the trig point which marks the summit of Shutlingsloe, 506 m.

(2) Descend slightly S of E on a path which picks its way down the rocky slope to reach easier ground below. Continue down to reach the track from Shutlingsloe Farm. If the rocky path looks too awkward then go S along the summit crest and descend to the first shoulder then turn left and follow a grassy path, can be slippery, to join the above path before the first gate. Once on the track, follow it SSE for about 200 m to reach a cattle grid. Cross this then take the track which is a reverse left fork. Follow this past a house and barn, heading N. In about 1 km, it reaches the road. Cross over and cross the bridge over the river. Aim for the top left corner of the field where arrows guide one through Clough House farm yard. Reach a road, turn right then take the track signed for the Cat and Fiddle going E. Follow this over a bridge then up the left hand side of the wood. Just after a waterfall, the path splits. The right of way goes N up the the narrow valley but it is better to ascend the right hand bank (there is a path) and shadow the valley upwards. This path gives good views back to Shutlingsloe not seen from the valley. Eventually, the path on the bank merges with the valley path. Continue up to reach the path coming from danebower Hollow. Turn left, NNW, and follow the path/track to reach the main road at the Cat and Fiddle which is at about the same height as Shutlingsloe.

(3) Turn left, N, on to the road and follow it to the first corner where a bridleway goes straight ahead. Follow this to an old gate just before the tea room. A faint path goes off left to the road. Croos over and cross the stile to gian the concessionary path. Follow this, by the wall initially before it swings left and descend into Chest Hollow where it goes right and soon climbs out towards Torgate Farm There are several helpful arrows on this section. The path meets a wall to the left of the farm, Go left, S, along the wall and soon pick up the arrows again. The path follows Clough Brook, crossing over (bridge) just before Broughsplace then continues, as a track, down to the road by an angled T junction. Take the road going W and uphill which soon leads back to the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 19^th November, 2015.