This Three Shires Head walk starts at the Cat and the Fiddle Pub and is 7 miles long, a circular walk that will take in some amazing views.
This Peak District walk is around 7 miles long and can be a little tricky underfoot in some places.
in winter as with any country walk bad weather may cause parts of this walks to be muddy and slippy so wear suitable clothing.
Start
This Three Shires Head walk starts at the Cat and the Fiddle Pub a few miles out of Buxton.
A537 Buxton Road,
Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 0AR
There are parking spaces opposite the pub and this is also where your walk starts, follow the path up the moors this time if year (May 2011) it was sunny but windy, you are quite exposed at the start of this walk so be prepared!
Carry on this path until you see a signpost, follow the arrow for the ‘Three Shires Head’ you will see this signpost on the way back.
This now leads you down and into some shelter if you have been buffeted by the winds, you now have to your left the Danebower Hollow and to your left the Dane bower.
You will eventually come to the A54 take care crossing this road over the barrier and down into the fields. From here to your left you can see the Danebower Quarries and Reeve Edge Quarries.
These are disused mines and inside them they contain gas that can kill!! you can also see the impressive chimney that used to ventilate the colliery.
Carry on down the hill past the chimney and past a derelict colliery building, follow the River Dane until you reach an area known as the ‘Three Shires Head‘ this is a great place to stop and admire the view. It was given the name due to the is the point on Axe Edge Moor where Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire meet The Packhorse bridge reminds us ofhow important this route would have been for the mines and the silk that would have been produced at Hollinsclough and how it was transported to Macclesfield.
This area is also a favourite for moths and butterfiles.
Three Shires Head Bridge – Peak District
From here staying on the side of the River Dane as you cam in on, carry on the path and its gentle ascent round Cut-Thon Hill. Underfoot the ground is in parts sandy but does get rocky in places.
Walk through the fields and head towards the road A54, cross this road with the house on your left.
Carry on down with Leech Wood to your left you will eventually go through a gate and come out on the road take your first right passing Crag Hall keep on this road as it drops down, in the distance you can see Macclesfield Forest. When you reach Clough House situated on the left, turn right and follow this path, this leads you past a Ford another nice spot to stop and rest if required.
Follow the path up the hill with Cumberland Brook on your right, its quite a steep drop to the Brook but do look out for some lovely waterfalls.
Cumberland Cottage is on the left as you ascend this path, Cumberland Cottage is a bunk house that can accommodate 16 people ideal for Rangers, Scout Groups etc, a Green Field Nights Away permit is required.
Further up the path splits follow the signpost to ‘The Cat and Fiddle’ this is quite a steep climb so be careful.
Eventually you will be back on the Moors as you walk up this hill take a look back at the wonderful views of the Peak District.
Carry on until you see the sign you first saw on the way out, you should know the way back follow the Cat and Fiddle Sign, back over the Moors and coming back to where you parked or the Cat and the Fiddle for a well deserved Pint. – 2020 Update the Pub is currently under new management and is set to open again in 2020/21
Map of Three Shires Head Walk – Peak District
Images from Walk – Peak District
Video of Three Shires Head Walk – Peak District