Whetstone Ridge, Shutlingsloe, Highland Cows & a QOM 👑
- bootsandbanter
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
When the Wainwright Finale Got Rained Off, I Cashed in Two Ethels, a Trig, and Some Cows Instead
📍Route: Cat & Fiddle – Whetstone Ridge – Shutlingsloe – Macclesfield Forest edges – Cat & Fiddle
📏Distance: 13 km
⬆️Ascent: 553 m
🗼Trigs: #53 (Shutlingsloe)
Weather: overcast but warm
Mood: buzzing, happy I squeezed it in, still a bit upset about cancelling the final Wainwrights weekend but hike craving satisfied 💪
🚶♀️ Whetstone Ridge – The Hidden One
I’d tried before to reach Whetstone Ridge and failed, but this time I did my homework. From the Cat & Fiddle main path, there’s a faint track about 130 metres in — blink and you’ll miss it. It vanishes almost immediately because it’s simply not used I think. I kept faith with my OS Maps, slowly picking my way across grass and heather until, a kilometre later, I was standing on the “summit.”
No cairn, no mound, no marker – just me with an opened Ethel App showing the blue dot over the point 😂, pleased I’d managed it this time.
Dry conditions made it possible.
I wouldn’t attempt this in bog or clag.
⛰️ Shutlingsloe – A Proper Summit
Back on the main path (fence firmly blocking any shortcuts), I carried on to Shutlingsloe. It was quiet — I only met two people on the way.
Shutlingsloe, often called “The Matterhorn of Cheshire” for its sharp, triangular profile, is one of the most distinctive peaks in the Peak District.
The climb up is short but sharp, and at the top I was rewarded with a trig. 😊
Very nice views, I was there for a bit trying to figure out what I could see in the distance. 🔭
This was my second Ethel of the day and Trig #53.
🐮 Highland Cow Interlude
Descending from Shutlingsloe, I skirted the edges of Macclesfield Forest and stumbled on a farm with a whole herd of Highland cows! 🥰
I stopped for ages, watching them. I love these creatures!
One nearly full-grown calf was still happily suckling from its mum — a “grown-up baby” moment that had me grinning. I snapped a few pics and videos; honestly, this bit made my day. 👌🏻
🍸 Cat & Fiddle Finale
Back at the Cat & Fiddle, I found the distillery open for once! First time I’ve been able to step inside, so I grabbed a couple of drinks for later. Meanwhile, AccuWeather’s rain prediction was spot-on: I could see the weather rolling in just as I got back to the car. Perfectly timed.
Bonus surprise - I got a cheeky QOM on the final ascent towards the Cat &Fiddle and I didn't even realise until Strava notified me later 😅.
💭 Reflections
The day before I was restless and frustrated, questioning if I’m even a hiker anymore 🙈. I was still upset that this wasn’t my long-planned final Wainwright weekend in the Lakes — but instead of moping, I made the most of the Peaks. Two Ethels, one trig, a herd of Highland cows, and a cheeky QOM — not a bad substitute.
13 km with decent ascent felt good, though these days I notice I need more distance or elevation to feel stretched.
Still, I finished buzzing, happy, and dry.
Classic me: turn frustration+ disappointment into Peak District story collecting.
That’s a win.
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