Macclesfield Forest & Tegg`s Nose Country Park

I spent the day exploring the Cheshire countryside near Macclesfield. My hike started at Tegg`s Nose visitors centre, descending into the valley`s, up through Macclesfield forest, a loop past the reservoirs before the steep climb up to Tegg`s Nose. I was rewarded with great views and a beautiful sunset. I hope you enjoy.

Tegg's Nose is a hill east of Macclesfield in Cheshire, England. It has a short ridge with a high point of 380 metres, terminating in a promontory at the southern end. Dry stone walls and sturdy barns add to the dramatic character of the steeply sided valleys. Historically quarried for millstone grit. Today nature has softened the scars of industry and there is plenty to see at Tegg’s whatever time of year. You don’t have to go far to enjoy exhilarating views over the Cheshire Plain and on a clear day you can see Liverpool’s cathedrals and Welsh hills beyond.

Tegg's Nose now includes a range of environments including moorland, meadow, farmland, broadleaved woodland and is rich in wildlife. Recreational uses of the area include walking, orienteering, horse riding, fell running, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, sledging and fishing. Why "Tegg’s Nose"? Early maps show the area as Tegge’s Naze. This may have come from Tegge, an early Norse Settler and ‘nose’ meaning a promontory or it may be that the hill originally looked like a sheep or ‘teg’.

Macclesfield Forest is managed by United Utilities as part of the water catchment area around the reservoirs. There are four reservoirs in the vicinity with Ridgegate and Trentabank reservoirs providing Macclesfield town with drinking water. The forest has a herd of red deer and various other wildlife which you may encounter on a visit. The reservoirs are home to many species of wildfowl and Trentabank is home to the largest heronry in the Peak District.