Three Shires Head – Cumberland Clough Waterfall loop from Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough

Hiking trails & Routes

North West England

Macclesfield Forest And Wildboarclough

Three Shires Head – Cumberland Clough Waterfall loop from Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough

Moderate

4.6

(78)

589

hikers

Three Shires Head – Cumberland Clough Waterfall loop from Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough

02:05

7.09km

210m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

246 m

View of the Derbyshire countryside

Highlight • Viewpoint

views of the Derbyshire countryside form Staffordshire

Tip by

797 m

Streamside Path from Three Shires Head to Buxton Road

Highlight • Climb

Quite a tough climb in places, more down to the technical nature than the elevation, I’m sure it’s a fun descent

Tip by

1.22 km

Three Shires Head Stone Bridge and Waterfalls

Highlight • Viewpoint

Three Shires Head is the Grade II listed stream bridge (or waterfall, accounts differ) which marks the intersection of three counties; Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire.

The run around cut-thorn hill to here is an entertaining blast, too; not too techy but lots of fun, and it finishes here - one of the best picnic spots for miles.

Enjoy this place for a wild swim, with clear plunge pools and waterfalls here in the River Dane.

Tip by

1.24 km

Three Shires Head

Highlight • Waterfall

Worth the walk down, a nice quiet spot

Tip by

1.25 km

Three Shires Head Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

It's bumpy so be careful. For those looking for a challenge it can be ridden on a gravel bike with a decent tyres. You can reward yourself with a cold deep when you get to the bottom safely 😉

Tip by

2.22 km

Start of Path to Three Shires Head

Highlight • Trail

You need to push your bike down here, its about a mile and half down to 3 shires head, but it is worth it

Tip by

5.06 km

Cumberland Brook and Stone Bridge

Highlight • River

dogs love a paddle

Tip by

5.82 km

Cumberland Clough Waterfall

Highlight • Viewpoint

Stunning waterfall at Cumberland Clough, tumbling into Cumberland Brook.

Tip by

7.09 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.34 km

1.32 km

1.10 km

231 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.50 km

1.31 km

675 m

257 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (450 m)

Lowest point (310 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

11°C

7°C

56 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 33.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 1, 2021,Three Shires Head – Three Shire Heads Loop from Langley

Beautiful walk, easy route to follow. Parking is free and local shop in the village.

December 11, 2024,3 Shires Head baby carrying walk

This was a really nice route taking in The three shire head waterfalls, this is a carrier only walk due to stiles and terrain. There is some road walking on quiet lanes and we had to cross a main road but it was easily done. On the whole a really nice route that would be great in all seasons!

August 17, 2024,Three Shire Heads loop

Nice loop from the free car park and round back again.
The walk is a path mix of rocky ground and loose stones, followed by fields. We did one road part at the end as the dog we were with was enjoying sheep poop too much! But you could take the trail to the left that follows the road instead. …