Shutlingsloe from Trentabank

(S)The start is the small car park adjacent to the visitor centre at Trentabank (Grid ref. SJ961711). After parking, walk back towards the road and turn right along the footpath that runs parallel to the road. Ignore the first path right and continue a short way further along by the road to reach the second path going right. Take this and start to climb into the woods. Keep straight ahead at the next junction and continue to climb. The end of the woodland is in sight when a track comes in from the right.

(1)Continue ahead here looking out for a signed path on your right to Shutlingsloe. Take this, and leave the forest for High Moor. The path is paved and progress fast and soon you get your first sight of your objective. Reaching a wall, go through the gate and turn right, keeping the wall on your immediate right. This path will lead without any further need for navigation to the summit area. The views are extensive with Shining Tor the highest point in Cheshire, the moors by the Cat & Fiddle pub above Wildboarclough, the Roaches and Tittesworth Reservoir amongst the many scenic highlights.

(2)The return route follows the outward route by staying on the flagged path back to the forest edge and main track. Turn left, bearing right at the first junction to descend to the road. It is worth noting that Trentabank Reservoir is home to a sizeable number of herons and in May you can see the chicks on their nests high in the trees by the edge of the reservoir.(E)

This hill walk is an ideal introduction to the Cheshire sector of the Peak District National Park. The route is easy to follow, the ascent is generally not too steep and the scenic rewards from the summit exceptional in fine weather. Known locally as the "Cheshire Matterhorn", Shutlingsloe has a distinctive outline when viewed from certain directions and it is easy to see why it earned this nickname.