Clough House, Wildboarclough To The Cat & Fiddle

Introduction

More rain was forecast overnight, and everywhere is very wet underfoot, so I chose quite a short walk in familiar surroundings today.

It was a good choice as most of the walk was on stony paths or tarmac tracks and minor roads.

The weather was cloudy and bright with little wind, ideal for walking.

It’s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Clough House Car Park, via Macclesfield.

The walk is 5.3 miles long, with 910feet of ascent, and it took about 2 hours 30 minutes , plus a quarter hour for lunch.

This walk is in sheep farming country and over moors so at this time of year it’s not suitable for dogs to be off the lead.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 24.

I parked at Clough House Car Park Postcode SK11 0BD, What 3 Words ///purely.duke.twitching.

Cumberland Brook

At the car park the brook flows down under a bridge . As anticipated it was gushing strongly today. The peak of Shutlingsloe is framed behind it.

The path follows the brook’s valley. It’s a steady climb but not too steep. I took regular stops for views of the valley behind me.

Cumberland Cottage is sadly abandoned now.

Soon the trees become sparser and tributaries can be seen tumbling down the hillside opposite.

The Moors To The Cat & Fiddle

Beyond the trees the path splits. I turned north (left).

My path and the now small stream are almost sharing one route down here!

I reached the final short ascent, with the open moor looming above.

And there it was. I could stretch my legs and quicken my pace, or so I thought. It was quite wet now, but the view back when I reached the high point was wonderful.

I’m almost level with Shutlingsloe now, whilst Sutton Mast is now in clear sight behind.

Manchester is visible to the northwest in the centre of the next picture.

I picked my way round the puddles until the famous pub came into view.

A large bird of prey was gliding by as I walked past the building. At first I assumed it to be a buzzard, but then it became obvious that it was a red kite. I took a hasty photo!

Clough Brook

I wandered down to The Peak View Cafe and crossed the road to take the path opposite, only to find….

So, I had to take the road down to Torgate Farm, from where I could rejoin my intended route. No complaints though, as there are lovely views from this quiet road.

I made my way to Clough Brook, crossing the bridge at Broughsplace.

In next to no time I was at the bottom of the valley, from where the road would lead back to the car park.

The road criss-crosses the brook, with daffodils lining adjacent drives, and lambs gamboling in the fields!

This is a super walk with varied landscapes and views to enjoy, and it proved very sensible after all the rain that we’ve endured recently.

And Finally….

The Black Crowes have a new album called Happiness Bastards. This track is atypical of the album, but I like it, it’s called Kindred Friend.