{"id":1009291,"date":"2024-12-05T16:24:29","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T16:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009291"},"modified":"2025-01-16T16:50:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T16:50:30","slug":"sutton-mast-and-rossen-brook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009291","title":{"rendered":"Sutton Mast And Rossen Clough"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Heavy overnight rain had moved away, but more was due to follow from lunchtime, so I just had time for a short 5 mile walk not too far from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about a half hour drive to Sutton, just south of Macclesfield, from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was dull, but stayed dry. The ground was very wet, and it was muddy in the valley for the second half of the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 5 miles. It took 2 hours 15 minutes and my early start meant no refreshment break was necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is on sheep pasture all the way, so unsuitable for dogs to be off the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anticlockwise direction, starting from Lowerhouse \/ Foxbank Farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on both OS Explorer Map 268 and OL24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no parking at the start of the walk, so I drove up Hollin Lane to the Ryles Arms pub and parked without problem on the car park, postcode SK11 0NN, What 3 Words \/\/\/worth.among.summer<\/p>\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hollin Lane To Sutton Mast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking down Hollin Lane from the Ryles Arms I noted the small stream flooding over an adjacent garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first section of the walk heads straight up the side of the Rossen Clough valley on the Gritstone Trail. The views soon emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Approaching the ridge, I enjoyed the patterns of the tall, leafless trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking back from the trees, Shutlingsloe is unmistakable on the opposite hillside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turning the other way, the view from the ridge picks out Manchester in the rather murky distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Continuing up the ridge, a small active quarry is growing to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To the south east is the view of the valley along which my route returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Due east I can see the Ryles Arms, and my car, down in the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sutton Mast is now looming ahead of me, the top being almost lost in the cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hearing voices, I spied a workman on one of the high level platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sutton Mast To Hollins Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I dropped down and crossed the main road to join Minn-End Lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It was now time to leave the Gritstone Trail and make my way across fields and down the side of the brook where I knew it would be very wet underfoot….or in fact all over my feet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I crossed back over the main road and took the drive where these attractive signs hung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There were pigs in a field, and a kestrel eating lunch on a telegraph pole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are splendid views down the valley to the distant Tegg’s Nose and Macclesfield Forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The mud made it slow going, but it’s beautifully peaceful, and pretty. Eventually a tarmac track made the going much easier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The scenery was enhanced by the wildlife, and domesticated animals too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And soon, the driveway returned me to Hollin Lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I returned to the car before the rain arrived, refreshed and pleased to have got out in the countryside, given the uncertain weather forecast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Irishman Darren Kiely came to my attention this week. Reminds me of Mumford and Sons. This track is “Blood Red”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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