4 Mile Run up Shutlingsloe from Macclesfield Forest, Peak District National Park

We’re back in the Peak District National Park this week near Macclesfield in Cheshire. We visited Wincle a couple of weeks back, this week we are dropping down into the next valley past Wildboarclough to Standing Stone Car Park on the edge of Macclesfield Forest. Todays route climbs up through the woods and then up onto a high plateau where ahead of you you will see our destination today Shutlingsloe. We climb to the summit and take in the breathtaking view to Congleton and onto the Cheshire Plain before dropping down the far side into the valley beside Clough Brook and back to our starting point. Lovely spot for a walk or a run with breathtaking views and perfect on the day I visited in December with the temperature just below zero and the sun low in a clear blue sky.

The Route

Take the path opposite the entrance to Standing Stone Car Park. Follow the track up until you reach a path to the left with a bench. Turn left on the track and up onto the top and head for Shutlingsloe. When the path forks take the right hand path and then head up to the summit of Shutlingsloe. Head across the top and take the path into the valley on the far side. The path joins a driveway, continue downhill, then where the drive meets another track turn left at the gate / cattle grid and follow the path as it winds its way down to the road. Turn left and follow the road beside Clough Brook. When you reach Dingers Hollow Farm take the path on the left. This comes out on Standing Stone Road, turn left up the hill to the car park at the top of the hill.