THE COUNTIES of Cheshire and Derbyshire meet in the wild rolling hill country between Macclesfield and Buxton.

This is a landscape of woodlands, forests, reservoirs and farmsteads scattered below high moorland ridges which reach their peak at Shining Tor. North along the ridge from Shining Tor, the gritstone ridge forms a dramatic outcrop at Windgather Rocks. This high viewpoint is exposed to the elements and forms the county boundary between Cheshire and Derbyshire. It also provides extensive views. Westwards you can see the whole of Manchester and Cheshire and eastwards you look to the Peak District. This short walk offers a taste of this panoramic countryside and can easily be combined with a visit to Buxton or the Goyt Valley and its splendid ruins of Errwood Hall. The walk itself follows field paths below the Windgather Ridge, passing through the woodlands of a garden centre before gradually climbing to the rocks which are a popular spot for rock-climbers. There are muddy sections, so boots are essential.

DISTANCE: 3 miles (allow 1-2 hours)

START: Pym Chair free car park (O.S. Grid Ref. 995 768). This is situated on the minor road between Rainow and the Goyt Valley. From Macclesfield, follow the A5002 through Rainow village and turn right along a minor lane soon after it. The lane winds uphill to an old chapel and at the top of the ridge the Pym Chair car park is on the left before the lane dips down to the Goyt Valley. Use these route directions in conjunction with the relevant O.S. map (White Peak OL 24)

From the car park return to the lane by the information panels outlining the legends of Pym Chair. Turn right along the lane and follow it as it drops downhill. Keep to the lane as it bends left then right and it drops more steeply downhill. Look out for the

first public footpath sign on the right hand side of the road. Leave the lane here and join this path which begins at an old wall and a wooden stile leading into a field. Facing you at the bottom of the field in the little valley below is a large farmhouse by woodland. Follow the waymarked path straight ahead heading directly for the right-hand side of the farm below. A faint track leads the way and you soon cross a drain and join the access track below the farm. Turn right and follow the track around to a gate. There is a stile to the right of the gate. Cross this and follow the field edge with the boundary and the hill slope immediately on your right. Keep going straight ahead and you soon reach a stream and stile leading to an old barn.

Cross the stile and go around the left-hand side of the barn. Keep going straight ahead from here. The path disappears in boggy rushes but head for the woodland straight ahead and you eventually reach a wall/fence corner in a boggy hollow. Keep to the right of the wall and follow the fence line on the left through the rushes to the woodland ahead. A stile is reached at the next boundary. Cross this and turn right, crossing another stile to enter a pretty landscaped woodland and garden. A waymarked path leads you through the garden to the front of the garden centre. Bear right around the building facing you to join the main access track leading into the garden centre where you may be tempted by the various plants for sale.

Follow the access track out of the garden centre and this is now followed, continuing northwards, for about half a mile until it reaches a lane crossroads. Ignore tracks to the left and right but keep to the main access road which bears right and climbs gradually to the lane crossroads. Go directly across the crossroads to reach a public footpath signpost almost immediately on the right hand side of the lane opposite. The lane forks into two here. Take the right fork, following the track signposted as the public footpath. Follow this track to a gate/stile by cottages. Cross the stile and immediately turn sharp right by crossing the ladder stile on the right-hand side opposite the cottages. The path now climbs uphill with the wall immediately on your right. You are now walking along the county boundary between Cheshire and Derbyshire!

The dramatic outcrops of Windgather Rocks are directly ahead. Enjoy the panoramic views from the top of the rocks. To continue the walk from the rock outcrops simply head straight on along the ridge. You drop down to a lane but you can avoid walking back along the lane by following the surfaced footpath running parallel to it alongside the wall. This path can be followed gradually uphill all the way back to the car park.

COUNTRY CLIPS

At this spooky time of year, the National Trust are holding spine tingling events at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire. Find out more and book ahead by phoning 01625 527468.

Halloween at the Apprentice house. October 25/26. Ghostly family activities for a small charge.

Spooky Tours. October 30/31-November 1. Theatre students present a macabre drama for evening visitors.

BREEZEY: Windgather Rocks is a popular stopping place for walkers.