Shutlingsloe rises sharply above Macclesfield Forest like nothing else in Cheshire, which is why walkers have always called it the Cheshire Matterhorn.

This guided sunset hike on Shutlingsloe follows a 10km circular route through the forest and up to the 506-metre summit, arriving at the top as the light turns golden and the views open out across the Cheshire Plain.

Julia and Ilaria lead this route at a steady, sociable pace. Both are qualified Mountain Leaders who know Shutlingsloe well, so your evening is safe, well-paced, and full of the kind of local knowledge you only get from a guided walk. You descend by head torch through the forest as dusk settles, which is as memorable as the summit itself.

This is one of GOA's most popular evening walks and it is easy to see why. The combination of a well-defined hill, a working forest, and a sunset that changes every time makes it a route people come back to. If this is your first guided hill walk, Shutlingsloe is one of the best introductions there is. The ascent is straightforward, the summit reward is immediate, and the atmosphere on the hill at golden hour is something that tends to stay with people.

Bring a picnic and a warm flask to enjoy at the summit while the sun drops below the horizon. There is no better place to have a hot drink in Cheshire on a clear evening.

What's included

A qualified mountain leader to keep you safe during the event

What to bring

Warm layers, because the temperature drops noticeably after sunset on the summit. A waterproof jacket. A head torch (essential for the descent). A picnic and a flask of something warm to enjoy at the top.

Meeting point

Trentbank Car Park, Langley Road, Sutton, Macclesfield (SK11 0NE). Your joining instructions with exact directions will be sent after booking.

Good to know

£20 per person £5 from each booking will be donated to - Healing through hiking CIC supporting women who have suffered from narcissistic abuse