This rather narrow trail skirts the escarpment edge and the Cloud plantation and offers fine views over the Cheshire plain. Watch out for Ravens and Buzzards. After a mile the trail climbs up a heather and bilberry moor and reaches a trig. point. This makes an excellent picnic site and also a good vantage point for birding. The views over towards the Roaches and the main Pennine range are splendid. In spring and early summer Meadow Pipits will be in song flight and this is a favourite site for Kestrels. We are reliably told that Black Grouse used to lek in this area but were shot out.
Ignore the well-defined trail leading off to the right. Descend on the path following the escarpment edge passing ‘Avona’ cottage and descend down concrete steps. At the bottom turn right on a lane and, after 100 yards, climb over a stile and bear right along the field edge. This footpath soon re-enters the Cloud plantation. From February to April, listen for singing siskins which may breed here. Crossbills have been seen here on a handful of occasions and have bred. Listen out for their calls.
Follow the path back to Gosberryhole Lane and, just past the lookout where we stopped on the ascent to look for Ravens, turn left at a footpath sign. This path descends steeply down steps; Wood Warbler has been recorded rarely here in May.
Back at the car park, another area well worth investigating before leaving is the footpath leading off from the car park (see sketch map). This descends down into a patch of riverine woodland often full of birds and carpeted with wild flowers in the spring.
Alan and Linda Battersby;
Andrew and Angela Goodwin.
