Errwood Reservoir to Shining Tor and Cat’s Tor

 Friday 28th March

Windy and cold, though bright. We decide to tackle the Shining Tor walk from Errwood Reservoir, parking at the southern end of the reservoir. Most of this walk is covered in the AA Peak District Walks  book - walk 23. We did the same walk on October 12th 2023.

https://aliwalks.blogspot.com/2023/11/errwood-reservoir-to-shining-tor-12th.html

As it was already 11 am we had coffee and a biscuit to fortify us before tackling the walk.

Looking back from the first steep section

It’s a steep climb uphill to begin with, on a wide grassy track. It levels out gradually, continuing to climb steadily until we reach the junction where signpost indicate Shining Tor to the right, and Cat & Fiddle straight on.

A brief pause to put windproof jacket back on as the wind is fiercer than on the slightly protected slope. Then we follow the Shining Tor path down and up to the summit at 559 meters/1834 feet, where we sit on the bench in the lee of the wall, and admire the view, which is wide and includes Shutlingsloe and Sutton Common mast. 

Two young women runners appear with dogs, and one has problems keeping her cap on.

They were amused by this lucky photo (by Harry)

We decide to move on before lunching - it’s cold!  We’re very glad we’ve brought windproof jackets, scarves and gloves today.

Appropriate name

The walk along the ridge to Pym’s Chair and the road is a struggle against the force and noise of the bitterly cold wind. 

 We walk down the road for a fair distance and turn right where two footpaths go - one to Errwood, and one to Foxlow Edge. We take the Foxlow Edge one and climb a short distance before finding a wall which provides enough shelter for us to lunch comfortably.

After that it’s mainly, though not entirely, downhill toward the ruins of Errwood Hall,  and then back to the car park.  6 miles altogether, but felt like more.

Recommended reading:

Errwood Hall and the Drowned Hamlet of Goyts Bridge by David Stirling

https://www.goyt-valley.org.uk/product/errwood-hall-goyts-bridge-book/#reviews

From Axe Edge to Chrome hill and Hollinsclough

  Wednesday 26th March

Walk 25 from AA Peak District Walks.  7.5 miles circular with approx 900 feet of climbing.

We parked just off the A53 at Axe Edge. For detailed instructions consult the book.

The view soon after beginning the walk

Beautiful views and good walking conditions made it an excellent day out.

Just after leaving the road downhill 

After walking past Fairthorn Farm

Making our way down past Thirkelow Farm - we found a nice spot for coffee

Down hill and over the duckboard bridge

Past Booth Farm we picked up the track towards Chrome Hill

Down and along the road, giving Parkhouse Hill a miss today.

We followed the track towards Hollinsclough and were delighted to make use of the honesty shop just outside the village.

The track from Hollinsclough is steep and muddy in places

Just before a deserted farm (Leycote) there is a lovely packhorse bridge and a very steep paved/cobbled track.

More steep climbing through birch trees

Eventually we reached Brand Top and followed the track and road back up to where we left the car.

Gradbach to Three Shires Head

 Friday 13th September

The sunrise through the window was spectacular, just before 7 am.

We had breakfast and set off from Snipe Cottage soon after 9 am. The car park at Gradbach had plenty of room at this time, and we started walking just after 9.30. 

We did the route from February in reverse - this way is better, as the climbing is done more quickly and of course more steeply.

We walked back along the road for about 100 yards, before turning left, over a footbridge.

We followed the footpath by the river Dane to a minor road.

Shortly after the cottage there is a footpath to the right. It climbs steeply, through woodland

with ferns and gorse.

We reached an even more minor road shortly before Bennetsitch Farm and followed the road uphill until we reached a footpath on the left which leaves the road quite steeply, just past a farm building, and opposite Hole Edge Farm

The footpath joins a track past a small cottage. 

The sign, barely legible says “Beware of the Dog.” We saw and heard nothing.

As we climbed  higher there were great views over towards the Roaches,

and also to Shutlingsloe.

We met no one until we reached the high point on the moors. The footpath joined Knarr Lane just behind a cottage, and then our route took us over the road to the track to Three Shires Head. We paused for a coffee by this track.

We met a group of walkers and a lone mountain biker on this track. At Three Shires Head itself, there were at least a dozen people, many of them in the water.

It was quieter on the other side of the bridge.

The descent was along the stony track, then downhill over fields far less muddy that in February.

The gentle slope is far better as descent than ascent.

We arrived back at the cottage by 1pm for lunch. 

Almost 5 miles, but quite strenuous, with uneven paths, some bog, and almost 600 feet of climbing.

The cloud cover increased as the morning progressed.

Buxton Country Park, Solomon’s Temple and Pavilion Park.

 Thursday 12th September 2024

We went into Buxton, and after the farcical impossibility of paying in the Pavilion car park - machine out of order and phone app not playing - we parked at the country park, and even there had to pay inside the visitor centre! 

A cup of coffee and a scone later we walked up to Solomon’s Temple, and back round to the Visitor Centre.

We followed the short route up the steps and steepish paths through the woods.

We couldn’t resist these two characters from the past.

We made our way up to Grin Low and Solomon’s Temple.

Back across the fields above the camp site, and down through the woods.

Afterwards we walked into Buxton Pavilion Park, where one or two of the trees are beginning to show an autumn glow.

We had a coffee in the cafe there - its ’freshly made sandwiches’ turned out to be pre-packed, so we left lunch until we got back to the ranch.

As we walked back up to the car there was a very loud peal of thunder, but the promised storm didn’t materialise. remarkable views of landscape and clouds along the A53.

Somewhere around 4.3 miles in all. We covered the same ground as our walk last October, with variations.