How would you like to explore some of the best walking routes in the Manchester area, and meet new people at the same time?

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, become healthier and beat stress. But it can be boring walking the same routes on your own.

If you live and work in Manchester, then you may have heard that breathtaking countryside and beauty spots can be found within easy reach of the city centre. Come walking with Social Circle to explore some of the best walking routes in the area ,  and meet some new people along the way.

The 6 Mile Route:

Tegg’s Nose Country Park is located close to Macclesfield Forest in Cheshire on the western edge of the Peak District National Park. It is a popular area for walking and attracts visitors from the local area and beyond who come to the park to enjoy the stunning views of the park and across the Cheshire plain as well as learn more about the history of the area.

There is evidence of activity in the area since the Bronze age including a Burial Chamber and lots of examples of how the Country Park has been shaped by its past use for quarrying, from the 16th century to as recently as 1955. As a reminder of this past there are still examples of the equipment that was used to quarry the sandstone for visitors to see, including a jaw crusher used to crush the quarried rock into smaller pieces.

Views from Tegg’s Nose overlook nearby Macclesfield Forest and across to the summit of Shutlingsloe which is the second highest point in Cheshire as well as the Telecoms Tower on Sutton Common and the Macclesfield Canal. On clear days you can also see as far as the Welsh Hills and Liverpool in the east across the Cheshire plain.

From the Tegg’s Nose summit at a height of 380m or 1246ft there are views over the two reservoirs in the Country Park which are Bottoms Reservoir built in 1850 and the smaller Teggs Nose Reservoir constructed slightly later in 1871.

The landscape and wildlife of the area is varied with both meadow and moorland conditions on the rocky slopes and woodland at the base of the summit. An abundance of Gorse at the Country Park flowers all year, and blueberries and wild apples can be found in some areas. Sheep and cattle graze the land whilst a number of birds including Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Tits and Birds of Prey can be seen.

Please note there is one steep ascent up Tegg’s Nose during our 6 mile walk but we will take it as slow as people need us to so don’t be put off, the views from the top are well worth it!

Once we've completed our walk we will head back for a well-deserved Sunday lunch at the Leather’s Smithy public house which dates back to 1812 http://www.leathersmithy.co.uk/ Please note any Food & Refreshments are payable by you at the pub.

Don’t worry if you haven’t got access to a car, our members are happy to car-share in exchange for a contribution towards petrol.

What our members say:

Thanks for a wonderful walk around Dunham Massey. It was a beautiful sunny day, we took our time and we met and fed the deer. Perfect.  Nic.

My GP had recommended I get active.  The easy pace and distances coupled with the promise of sunday lunch had me sign up for Social Circle straight away.  As a bonus, I got a 10 day pass to my local gym too. Dave