Heather, with its magnificent purple haze, is not a plant one normally associates with Cheshire, but the moorland west of Shutlingsloe is probably now the county's largest heather moor. The numbers of red grouse, curlew, lapwing, golden plover and short-eared owls have increased so, although we have yet to see it, we keep an eye open for the very rare black grouse which may one day again make Cheshire their home. But whether you come for the wildness or the challenge of climbing this magnificent hill, you can be assured of a memorable walk to the summit.
LOCATION: Three miles south-east of Macclesfield
START: Trentabank Vistor Centre pay & display car park, one mile beyond Langley
Grid ref: SJ961711 Postcode: SK110NS
DISTANCE: 7 miles
GRADE: Moderate with a steady climb to the summit of Shutlingsloe
TIME: 4.5 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - White Peak Landranger 118
NOTE: Sorry, no dogs
REFRESHMENTS: Hanging Gate & Nice Nosh, (Seasonal)
EN ROUTE: Piggford Moor, Macclesfield Forest, Gritstone Trail, Ridgegate Reservoir
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News