{"id":10560,"date":"2022-01-30T15:54:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=18808"},"modified":"2022-01-31T15:31:17","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T14:31:17","slug":"walk-macclesfield-forest-cheshire","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/walk-macclesfield-forest-cheshire\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk: Macclesfield Forest, Cheshire"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 30 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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They\u2019re an ungainly sight, nesting herons. At Cheshire\u2019s largest heronry<\/a>, noisy parents tend to their broods in nests at the top of tall firs bordering Trentabank Reservoir, sheltered below craggy gritstone snouts at the western fringe of the Peak District<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spring is the perfect time to explore the remnants of the Norman hunting forest high above Macclesfield, where an abundance of birds and woodland flowers, including bluebells<\/a>, will remain in the memory. Firm tracks and paths draw you upwards through mixed fir and broadleaf woods to moorland edge pasture, generously endowed with views to nearby Shutlingsloe and the great ridge, topped by Cheshire\u2019s highest point, Shining Tor.<\/p>\n

\""Grey\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Look out for grey herons on the water\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Macclesfield Forest walk<\/h2>\n

6 miles\/9.6km | 4 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n

1. tree top views<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ridgegate car park and ranger station are close to the reservoir. Cross the lane from the nearby heronry view layby, obeying\u00a0signs for Shutlingsloe. Yellow topped, then red-topped signposts draw the path steadily uphill (head straight up over a cross-track). Eventually, keep left at a fork beyond a gate, then follow signs for the Standing Stone. The forestry road meanders through firwoods; at the left-bend beside a little sloping meadow, take the short, stepped path on the right.<\/p>\n

The way presently bursts from the trees, revealing extraordinary views to the Cat and Fiddle Inn (England\u2019s second highest), the ridge leading to the 559m (1,834ft) Shining Tor and endless undulating hills.<\/p>\n

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