EAST CHESHIRE RAMBLERS
A good view from the forest
COLD spring sunshine and blue skies brought 20 East Cheshire Ramblers out for a brisk six mile walk up through Macclesfield Forest.
The walk began beside Ridgegate Reservoir, where a change in the parking arrangements had been catching unwary walkers not parked in the recently marked out parking bays.
An ascent was made through the forest via Nessit Hill, where the group stopped for morning coffee and to admire the wonderful views over the forest at this locality and to stop for a group photograph.
The ascent continued afterwards to reach the path to Shutlingsloe and this point marked the upper end of the Forest.
Continuing on a quiet road the view now was in the opposite direction looking over to the Cat and Fiddle pub on the horizon, before turning towards one of our favourite destinations, the beautifully kept little stone Forest Chapel set high in its tiny hamlet of former school, teacher’s cottage and one or two farms.
We signed the visitors’ book to record our appreciation of this chapel, which is always open to passing walkers.
From there we went up the rough, wet, stony track called Charity Lane which wends up to the Forest and over the top of the hill before descending to the Buxton Road.
Its name is a reminder of hard times in the 19th century when unemployed men were paid to make this track over to the Chapel.
Our way lay down through the shady Forest again and later a further descent to join the track coming down from Teggs Nose.
The walk continued by passing Bottoms Reservoir and finally reaching the end of the walk at the Leather’s Smithy public house.
Another favourite destination!
Why not come along to enjoy one of the walks put on by the East Cheshire Ramblers?
The large variety of walks should appeal to most However, please check beforehand that dogs are allowed on a particular walk as often there is livestock in fields.
For East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme of weekend and midweek walks ranging from four to 15 miles in length, go to ramblerseastcheshire. org.uk.