Allow
Epic upon epic upon epic, a trio of strenuous but spectacular, classic hill climbs lead from the Cheshire mill town of Macclesfield up to the isolated Cat & Fiddle Inn, via the Brickworks, Windgather and Derbyshire’s Goyt Valley.
Route details
- Distance
26.7 miles / 43 km - Elevation Gain
1067 m / 3501 ft - Time allow 3 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty
Very Challenging - Terrain 10% Off-Road Path Traffic-free trails, towpaths & cycleways 90% Road Quieter lanes, sometimes brief busier roads 0% Unpaved Bumpier tracks & bridleways
- Suited to
Gravel Bike 
Hybrid Bike 
Road Bike
- Suggested Start Macclesfield SK11 6JP SJ 9188 7363
- Places Bollington, Cat and Fiddle, Cheshire, Cheshire East, Derbyshire, Derbyshire Bridge, Errwood, Goyt Valley, High Peak, Hurdsfield, Kerridge, Kettleshulme, Langley, Lyme Handley, Macclesfield, Macclesfield Forest, Pott Shrigley, Pym Chair, Sutton, Windgather Rocks
- Attributes Accessible by train, Bridges, Car parking, Circular loop, Dales, Ideal for electric bikes, Industrial heritage, Moors, National Cycle Network, Pocket Guide available, Pubs and cafés, Railways, Reservoirs, Rivers, Rural heritage, Steep climbs, Towns and villages, Urban, Views of hills and peaks, Views of open countryside, Views of towns and cities, Woodlands and forests
The Peaks & Puddles + route page includes a route map, things to note, where to start. A full description and stage-by-stage guide will be added in the future.
How to unlock
To unlock just this route and the in-depth website guide, buy the Cat & Fiddle Climbs Pocket Guide & GPX, or see below to unlock the whole collection for a one-off contribution.
Pocket Guide & GPX
• Downloadable PDF route guides in both phone and printer-friendly formats – includes turn-by-turn directions, a custom-designed map, photos and points of interest
• Navigation files in GPX, TCX and FIT format
• Access to this website route guide
Support the website for £10 to access everything…
Become a Peaks & Puddles + supporter for a one-off contribution and you’ll get access to all these exclusive extra pages — plus downloadable, phone-friendly Pocket Guides and over 70 GPX navigation files to take along for the ride.
Peaks & Puddles +
• Cycle Routes Pocket Guide Collection
• Cycle Routes GPX Collection
• Access to all P&P+ website route guides
For a one-off contribution, supporting my work and website running costs.
What you’ll receive
You’ll be provided immediately with the link to a hidden page where all these extra downloads and guides (marked P+) can be accessed. Return any time to access new and updated content just thanks to that single contribution. As an extra bonus, I’ve made sure “Plus” guide pages are completely ad-free.
Thanks for your support!
I’m reserving these original routes and extra pages exclusively for supporters. The one-off contribution supports my work and website costs, with miles of cycling inspiration in return. This online guidebook is still growing, I’m nowhere near done yet, so it’s a great investment in my future plans. Thank you!
Anthony
Original photography, words and design by Anthony Sheridan unless indicated otherwise. Found this guide helpful? Buy me a coffee to help keep the wheels turning!
The all-important disclaimer: While great care and attention has been put into gathering these routes, ensuring details are accurate and determining their suitability, all information should be used as a guide only and is not a replacement for using your own judgement or research when setting out on new adventures. Peaks & Puddles/the author cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arise from the riders own decision to ride a section of indicated route.
Always ensure your equipment is safe and legal for use and that you are well prepared, carrying everything necessary including access to a good map. Follow the Highway Code and the Countryside Code at all times. Respect the landscape, the wildlife and the people you encounter. And after all that, have fun!