There are probably none of us in the East Cheshire Ramblers that haven’t scaled the heights of Shutlingsloe. Rising to 1660 feet or 506 metres this shapely summit is sometimes referred to as the Cheshire Matterhorn. Comprising of alternating bands of mudstone and coarse sandstone the hill is a landmark for many miles around and these rocks were formed as a delta during the Carboniferous period some 380 million years ago. The name derives from old English 'Scyttel's hlaw' meaning 'Scyttel's (personal name) hill' and is one of several 'low' names in the Peak District. On the summit on a clear day the view stretches from The Wrekin in the south, The Berwyn Mountains in the south west, the Clwydian Range in the west and Winter Hill to the northwest. I have even been able to make out Snowdon in exceptionally clear weather. Not a year goes by when I haven’t stood to the top of this fine hill and the walk up to the summit during different seasons always make the walk interesting let along differing weather conditions. The easiest route to the summit is from Trentabank Car Park and this walk can be varied by walking up via Nessit Hill which gives an excellent view over Macclesfield Forest whatever the time of year. Once clear of the forest, a flagstone path leads the way all the way to the top with that flight of rough steps up the steep ascent just prior to the summit. I can still remember climbing Shutlingsloe prior to the creation of this flagstone path. A more challenging but shorter walk is the ascent from Wildboarclough with a steep ascent all the way and if taken directly there is a bit of a scramble right at the very end. If you don’t want too much gradient then the walk from the Standing Stone Car Park is an alternative which goes via Buxtor’s Hill but having said that this route can be rather boggy despite matting being laid down a few years ago which has now seen better days. Shutlingsloe can attract the crowds as on a busy Boxing Day when as many as a thousand people may reach the summit. For me, I tend to choose a quieter time and more than once I have taken the family to the top for a picnic tea on a warm summer’s evening and watch the evening sun cast lengthening shadows over Wildboarclough and at the same time having the whole place to yourself. In midwinter we have driven to Trentabank Car Park before dawn and climbed to the summit to get the sunrise before returning home for a hearty breakfast. Other times we have walked up through a foggy Macclesfield Forest to break through into fine winter sunshine as the result of a cold air inversion.  Autumn walks through Macclesfield Forest brings out the best in the colours en route to the summit. The depth of a icy winter can make the walk quite a challenge. Snow and ice covers the paths and the rocks are encrusted in thick ice and the push to the top becomes a minor expedition up the final snowy slopes. As you can see the walk to the summit of Shutlingsloe whatever the weather and whatever the season always brings new surprises. Autumn colours in Macclesfield Forest as seen from Nessit Hill   About to break through to the sunshine on a foggy morning above Trentabank Car Park Father & daughter enjoying the low November sunlight on this showery afternoon on the summit. The first day of this Millennium. The silhouette of Shutlingsloe as seen from Shining Tor and a cold air inversion over the Cheshire Plain. Winter's grip. Ice encrusted rocks on the summit of Shutlingsloe. A still winter's day with the view towards Shutlingsloe from just above Peak View Tea Rooms. The steep way up from Wildboarclough on this warm summer's day.   The lengthening shadow of Shutlingsloe cast over Wildboarclough on a fine summer's evening.     A cold air inversion over Wildboarclough with The Roaches in the distance and the foggy Midlands beyond.