WALKING | Macclesfield Forest Peak District Walk

Over the bank holiday weekend we spent 5 days camping, and after just a few days back at home, I was craving some time outdoors. We are lucky enough to live very close to the Peak District, so we decided to head there.

Having never actually been to Macclesfield Forest, an ancient Norman hunting forest, we thought the visitor centre would make a good base, so packed a picnic, grabbed our walking gear and set off.

There are 5 way-marked walking routes around Macclesfield Forest, from the easy 1k green route, up to the 9k red route. Graded as moderate, we chose the red route and headed off. Signage was good and easy to follow, and there was a variety of terrain, as well as quite a few steep uphill sections.

Macclesfield Forest Walking Routes

• 1km  Yellow route is a short walk on steep paths that overlook the heronry.
• 1km Green route is an easy access route through the forest with one very short uphill section
• 2km Brown ‘Mushroom’ route is an easy access route around the side of Ridgegate Reservoir.
• 5km Blue route takes you steeply uphill through the forest to the moorland edge.
• 9km Red route is a route taking in both sides of the forest, steep in places with views over the Cheshire plains and the Cat & Fiddle Moor.

The walk took us past Trentabank Reservoir and up to Shutlingsloe, known as the Cheshire Matterhorn, thanks to their similar appearance, albeit, at a much lower altitude!

Once back at the visitor centre we sat on benches and enjoyed our well earned picnic. A lovely walk, that took in some truly beautiful ancient woodland, affording us with fantastic views out across Cheshire, with Jodrell Bank visible. In a month or so, we plan to return to walk the brown ‘mushroom’ route.

Pictures from our Macclesfield Forest Walk

Further Information on Macclesfield Forest

• www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
• www.macclesfield-forest.co.uk/about.html

Where to next?

• New To Family Camping? Best Family Tents & Camping Gear For Summer 2020
• Alternative Family Holidays – The Best Post-Lockdown Staycations Right Here In The UK
• A Winter Wellbeing Walk in The Peak District & Thoughts on Resilience
• Forest Bathing – A Load Of Old Nonsense Or Is There Something To It?

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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