Macclesfield and Tegg’s Nose

Introduction

Heading out for my walks, I often pass through Macclesfield. Today, I thought I’d stop there.

If you walk east from Macclesfield, you will be walking uphill. This 6.5 mile walk included a total ascent of 1100feet (335m).

It was an exciting day for weather, starting out very sunny, and quite warm in shelter. On top of Tegg’s Nose, a strong, cold wind blew in the cloud, and with it a sharp snow shower. Thereafter, it was mainly cloudy, with occasional sunny spells.

I have bought a new phone , and the variable conditions would certainly test its capabilities.

It’s an easy half hour drive to Macclesfield from Cheadle Hulme.

There are plenty of sections where dogs can get a good run on this walk.

Parking on the street is no problem. Use postcode SK11 7JY and stroll up over the canal to the path towards the golf course.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.

Macclesfield To Langley

The path around the golf course was a new route for me, and the sunny views were very enjoyable, all the way to Birch Knoll.

Just below Birch Knoll, there’s a sweeping panorama from Macclesfield Forest in the east to the Cheshire Plain in the west.

This was an opportunity to try out the “panorama” feature on the phone.

The path now headed downhill. Birch Knoll was picturesque behind me.

At the bottom of the hill I reached the River Bollin. It is little more than a pretty brook at this point in its journey.

Langley is a lovely village with its Old School (featuring Winnie the Pooh and friends), St Dunstan’s Inn, and the village sign

It also has a fine Georgian manor house, Langley Hall. Blame the photographer, not the camera, for missing the top of the chimneys!

Langley To Tegg’s Nose

Holehouse Lane leads past a pretty mill pond.

Beyond the pond, the road leads up to the lowest of the series of reservoirs which fill the valley below Macclesfield Forest. This is Bottoms Reservoir.

To its left, and slightly elevated, is Teggs Nose Reservoir.

Now I joined The Gritstone Trail and prepared for the climb.

The clouds were gathering as the view down to the reservoirs, and across to Sutton Mast emerged.

Two thirds of the way up, there’s a bench beautifully decorated with a profile of the whole of the Gritstone Trail.

This steep climb is illustrated just left of centre on the bench.

The wind suddenly hit me just after the bench. I was sweating from the climb, but not for long!

From the top, the views are amazing.

And then…. it was snowing!

Onwards Towards Kerridge

It didn’t last long , and after a stop off at the country park toilets, I walked up the road from the Visitor Centre. The Trail leaves the road at a track. I took the track. Wrong! After about a quarter of mile I stopped for a photograph.

Realising my error, I turned round, walked back uphill to the road and took the (not obvious) steps over a wall into the field. Easy mistake, soon rectified!

There are spectacular views along the Kerridge Ridge to the landmark of White Nancy, with the City of Manchester in the distance.

Suddenly, the weather closed in again.

My route took me down through a conifer plantation, and then I was looking up at Kerridge Ridge, once again bathed in sunshine.

Approaching the final drop to the Macclesfield Canal, the large Astra Zeneca site fills the middle distance.

Macclesfield Canal

The last mile or so of the walk was a gentle stroll along the canal.

I was to leave the canal at Bridge 40. Here, a bench had been sited, so I stopped for my lunch, and these Canada Geese joined me!

This walk had loads of variation and points of interest. Very enjoyable!

And Finally….

I heard this guy for the first time this week. I love this.

From the album, Moments, this is North End Kid by Jamie Webster.