A photo over macclesfield forest
A photo over macclesfield forest
walking | Macclesfield Forest & Shutlingsloe
What and where is Shutlingsloe?
Shutlingsloe sits between Wildboarclough and Macclesfield in the county of Cheshire, next to the very popular walking destination of Macclesfield forest. With the dubious title of 'the Matterhorn of Cheshire' (it's on the internet, we don't know why) its distinct profile is visible for miles around. It isn't the tallest peak, but then again Cheshire isn't known for elevation, which makes it a great family walk with a lot of accessible paths for wheelchairs through the forest as well.
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Macclesfield Forest is a popular walking location year round for dog walkers and young families as well, just make sure to get there early. Parking is plentiful around the reservoir.
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Remember to stick to The Rules and have fun!
2-3 hours
5.5 miles
Macclesfield Forest
Get this route
Download our route and follow this yourself from either OS Maps or ViewRanger. OS Maps requires a subscription, which luckily you can get 10% off with Northern Stroll on any 12 month subscription. Check out our blog post for the code.
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ViewRanger is free and much like OS Maps doesn't require any data to work. All you need is a GPS signal, especially if you have downloaded your maps beforehand. It also has OS Maps available as a layer inside the app.
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Don't have ViewRanger on your phone yet? See our guide, or download it in your app store.
Route overview
Staring at the Leather Smithy, walk along the reservoir keeping the water on your right. Follow the road round to the right across the top of the reservoir, then follow the road up the hill. A footpath will appear heading into the trees following the road forking left and right - the entrance will be roughly at your 11 o'clock.
Follow the path, it will split left and right very soon after you join it. Either is fine, but our route takes the right hand path towards Nessit Hill.
The path will soon join others to form a crossroads. Turn right to head up the hill and follow the path until you reach a larger track leading you south-east to Shutlingsloe (the hill in the distance). To reach the summit, cross the open field via the stone path track laid out and climb the side.
The descent is over the opposite side (although you can go back the way you came). Descend and follow the path back across the fields towards the other end of the forest, and follow until you meet the bridleway. Then, turn left and walk down the hill until Trentabank reservoir pops into view.
Keep Trentabank on your right and follow the road all the way back to the start point!
Key things to know:
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Time: About 3 hours at an amble
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Distance: 5.57 miles
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Elevation: 1,068 feet
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Nearby pubs: The Leather Smithy is the business!
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How to get here:
Postcode: SK11 0NE
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Parking is difficult at busy times but make sure you don't just park anywhere. Park Wardens are about and you will get tickets (as well as annoy folk) so get there early or just get lucky!