STAND at 1,600ft above sea level upon the summit of Shutlingsloe and you will quickly dispel the popular myth that the county of Cheshire is flat!

In fact, east of Macclesfield, the landscape climbs dramatically to meet Derbyshire along a boundary of wild moors.

Shutlingsloe is a very distinctive and inviting hill rising above Macclesfield Forest and sheltering the hidden hamlet of Wildboarclough on its eastern side. From the reservoir and ranger base at Trentabank, this walk heads along quiet lanes to Wildboarclough and climbs the lofty hill from there.

The ascent from here is steep and ends in a rocky scramble to the summit. Then there is a gentle descent through the conifers of the forest -- particularly enchanting after it has been snowing. The walk also passes two pubs along the way -- the Hanging Gate Inn and the Crag Inn -- so there are plenty of reasons to take this walk at a gentle pace.

DISTANCE: Six miles

START: Trentabank Reservoir car park (OS Grid Ref: 962712) which has toilets and an information centre. This is located one mile east of the village of Langley which is on the south-east side of Macclesfield. From Macclesfield, follow the A523 south of the town centre for a short distance before turning left along a minor lane signposted for Sutton, Langley and Wincle. Follow the minor lanes signposted for Langley.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Train to Macclesfield station from Bolton, then local bus service to Langley village. Alternatively, you can double the length of this walk by walking from the station to Trentabank following field paths across Macclesfield golf course (a three mile walk one way).

Use these route directions in conjunction with the OS Outdoor Leisure White Peak map (24)

FROM the car park entrance turn left along the road and walk downhill alongside the reservoir. When the road bears right, turn left along the minor lane signposted for Higher Sutton and Wincle. This lane climbs uphill through the forest, keep to it as it swings sharp left and heads southwards with good views looking west across Cheshire. The lane passes farmhouses and is followed for a further mile until it reaches a road junction. Take the left fork here and continue uphill to pass the Hanging gate Inn on the right.

After passing the pub, turn left up the minor road signed as the Cheshire Cycleway. This road is followed for the next mile and a quarter and after it drops downhill and crosses a stream, continue along it past the driveway entrance to Heron Crag on the right and climb uphill to reach a footpath sign. This points up the farm road on your left.

Take the farm road on the left here and when the lane swings left towards a farm, leave it on the right by joining a signed footpath. Swing away from the wall on the left to cross a stile in a fence. The path winds down to cross a brook and then crosses a ladder stile. Continue straight ahead from here and three more ladder stiles are crossed before you enter a large field. Continue in the same direction and cross a wall stile on the far side of this field. Bear right to a waymarker post and follow the path which drops down to a gate alongside the road and stream. Continue straight ahead from here to pass the Crag Inn on the left.

Continue straight ahead for a further 100m until a footpath on the left is reached along a private road. The steep ascent to Shutlingsloe starts here! Climb up the road and keep to the higher farm road after crossing a cattle grid. This leads to a wall gap. Follow the clearly waymarked path through the gap to cross a footbridge and stile. This leads to a further stile above steps and then the well-trodden path straight to the summit is clearly seen. The route to the top is rocky in parts but the view from the top is worth the climb.

Continue the walk by following the path down the stone staircase on the opposite side of the hill. Follow the wall side until a stile is reached by an old Peak and Northern signpost (No 142 to Langley). Cross this stile and head down to a gate into Macclesfield Forest. On entering the forest, take the path continuing straight ahead downhill along the forest edge. Keep to this main path and follow the signposts for Trentabank. It is now a pleasant descent through the woods back to the information centre.