The best walks and hikes around Macclesfield Forest And Wildboarclough

Exploring the forest and reservoirs

Walks around Macclesfield Forest take you into a wildlife haven. The forest is rich in flora and fauna and has many footpaths and bridleways that allow you to get amongst its natural splendour. It consists of mostly non-native conifers, such as the evergreen sitka spruce and the Japanese larch. 

Once an ancient hunting reserve, it is now very much a working forest and contains two large reservoirs, Ridgegate and Trentabank. Trentabank and the surrounding woodland is a specified nature reserve. A small, shy herd of red deer are resident, whilst it is also well known for its large heronry.

Ascend the “Cheshire Matterhorn”

Some of the best hiking trails in Macclesfield Forest explore the nearby hills. You can challenge yourself to an ascent of the “Matterhorn” (of Cheshire) in the guise of Shutlingsloe at 1,660 feet (506 m). It is a classically pointed peak with sumptuous views across to the neighbouring hills and the glorious Peak District beyond.

Above Ridgegate reservoir, the heather and bilberry slopes of Tegg’s Nose are a pleasure to tread. Meanwhile, one of the finest hikes around Macclesfield Forest explores the rounded mass of Shining Tor, which culminates at the highest point in Cheshire at 1,834 feet (559 m). On a clear day the Cheshire Plain stretches away for an eternity and it is even possible to see the distant mountains of Snowdonia in North Wales.

Rugged gritstone and beautiful limestone

The Peak District is adored for its wonderful landscapes, dramatic crags and beautiful limestone valleys and gorges. The landscapes to the south and east of Macclesfield Forest contain some of the quintessential Peak District hiking experiences.

To the south sprawl the Roaches, an iconic gritstone ridge that is loved by hikers and climbers alike. Within walking distance, the secretive narrow chasm of Lud’s Church is an otherworldly place to explore with its steep, vivid green, moss covered walls.

Discover the archetypal Jacob’s Ladder, the county flower of Derbyshire, on the “Dragon’s Back” ridge of Chrome and Parkhouse Hill. These 340-million-year-old limestone knolls were formerly coral reefs and their distinctive, sharp profile make them some of the most photographed landscapes in the national park.