View of The Roaches – The Roaches Loop loop from Prestbury

View of The Roaches – The Roaches Loop loop from Prestbury

Hard

4.7

(3)

107

riders

View of The Roaches – The Roaches Loop loop from Prestbury

03:19

61.5km

950m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 12, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.87 km

Macclesfield Cenotaph

Forest

9.38 km

Sunset View of Sutton Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

Lovely serene views looking west over the reservoir mean great sunset photo opportunities if you time it right.

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11.0 km

Start of the Climb Near Mottram St. Andrew

Highlight • Climb

take it slow and steady as has some short but steep bits

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19.3 km

Water Wheel and Valley View, Peak District National Park

Highlight • Historical Site

28.4 km

View of The Roaches

Highlight • Natural Monument

Great view point of the rocky ridge of Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud. Always full of climbers during the summer months.

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30.1 km

The Roaches Loop

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

A great loop that takes in the moorland around The Roaches. Always really quiet, very exposed so best to be ridden when the wind isn't too strong.

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36.7 km

You will love this lane

Highlight • Cycleway

Glorious, quiet sweeping country lanes, a joy to cycle along.

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40.2 km

Stanley Arms to Crag Inn Descent

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This really could be one of the greatest stretches of road to cycle on in the UK. A perfectly consistent downward sloping lane, averaging out at just under 2% - ideal for freewheeling. Starting at The Stanley Arms and extending beyond the Crag Inn further down the valley, this quiet road weaves in and out of the adjacent brook, which provides a tranquil trickling sound the whole way down. All this while enjoying views of the beautiful Peaks countryside - truly majestic.

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49.0 km

Macclesfield Forest

Forest

50.4 km

Ridgegate Reservoir

Lake

51.3 km

Macclesfield Forest and Reservoirs

Highlight • Lake

Four reservoirs to see here, two of which provide drinking water to Macclesfield. There are mainly pine trees in the forest. Cheshire's two highest points overshadow the forest so keep scanning the horizon for Shining Tor and the peak of Shutlingsloe, which is often called the 'Cheshire Matterhorn' thanks to its Toblerone-esque shape.

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