The Cloud from Rushton Spencer

(S/E) The start is a small car park (grid ref. SJ936624) on the Staffordshire Way beside the Knot Inn which is reached off the A523 Leek to Macclesfield road. Note the car park is not the pub car park and actually lies on the of railway track bed that forms the long distance footpath in this area. After parking walk back to the road passing the old station to continue along the Staffordshire Way in a north westerly direction.

(1) After about a kilometre you reach a footpath sign on your left (grid ref. SJ930633). Descend and follow this signed path across meadows to follow the River Dane for a short section. Soon the path enters Ravensclough Wood. Continue through the wood which almost fills Ravensclough to reach an access road to a farm. Turn left up this lane to bearing right at a junction. So after take the signed footpath on your left (grid ref. SJ916635). Take this path across the hillside with improving views of The Cloud ahead.

(2) Reaching a lane (grid ref. SJ907636)turn left and continue up the lane to reach a footpath on your right. This leads without further problem apart from the steep initial section onto the moorland surrounding the trig point that marks the highest point of The Cloud.

(3) The return route follows the outward route although it is worth noting that views ahead certainly in the first half of the descent are excellent(S/E).