Macclesfield Forest is perfect for a winter walk this weekend

As many of us embark on Dry January, or are generally just trying to stick to our resolutions to be healthier in 2020, you can’t beat a good old winter walk to blow off the cobwebs.

And if that’s what you’re after this weekend, then we’ve got just the spot – Macclesfield Forest.

Located just a short journey out of Manchester, head down Buxton New Road and you’ll find a fantastic alpine adventure hidden away in Macclesfield.

Arriving at the forest, you’ll notice a crisp and clear reservoir that sits alongside the road on the way in. You’ll also find plenty of parking along here – seasoned walkers know where to pull up, so as soon as you see a row of parked cars squeeze in.

There are a few colour coded routes around the forest depending on your timeframe or walking levels. If you’re not sure, one of the middle ground routes at 2-3 miles and moderate walking is a safe bet.

The majority of the routes are in the shade on account of the trees, so a sunny day isn’t much use to you here, however, the forest is glorious in the snow making it a perfect winter walk – hopefully we’ll actually see a covering of the white stuff at some point.

In terms of bringing the kids, the routes are all paths and are suitable for children. This also makes the walks fairly easy underfoot, so you can grab some snaps of the trees without worrying about your footing.

Food-wise, your best bet is the Leather’s Smithy pub, which you’ll pass on the left on your way up to the forest – be advised though, book ahead if you can as it can get pretty busy, especially on good weather days.

The Macclesfield Forest website is packed with information and well worth checking out for any seasonal or weather based closures before setting off – head over to it here.