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.

Wildboarclough, Macclesfield Forest and Shutlingsloe

Monday 24th March

A fine day was forecast, and we decided that a second visit to the splendid peak of Shutlingsloe (506 m; 1,660ft) was called for. We were there on 24th Feb 2024 https://aliwalks.blogspot.com/2024/07/24th-feb-shuttlingsloe-from.html

We followed (more or less) Walk 25 from the AA book 50 Walks in the Peak District. The walk heads away from the summit to begin with, as we took the footpath close to the Crag Inn - just after the buildings and car park, and followed it around the hillside. At Greenway bridge we took a signed footpath following the stream. 

At this point we decided to have a coffee, only to discover that we’d forgotten our wee jar of instant stimulant, and were stuck with hot water for the rest of the walk! We consoled ourselves with a chocolate biscuit and walked on.

The path continued over a stream, past a small pond,

and going uphill eventually coming out opposite the Hanging Gate pub - unfortunately not open until Friday!

We turned right and followed the road for about a mile, going straight on where the main road turns sharply left.

Eventually the road turns right and goes into the Macclesfield Forest visitor centre and car park. The Ladies was the only toilet open today, so it became unisex. There’s a large parking area, and access to quite a lot of forest tracks and Trentabank Reservoir.

A large picnic area with tables was where we took our lunch break.

After this the walk became steadily more demanding, as we followed a steep, though wide and clear track up through the trees.

When we emerged the way to the top was clear to see.

It’s a good hill to climb, with no deceptive false summits! Another break before the steep descent and walk back to the car.

Views good, though not so clear as last time.  Approximately  7 miles and 1170 feet of ascent.

This link covers the same walk, essentially:

https://outdoorsgps.com/route/show/348844_hunt-for-wild-boar-in-macclesfield-forest-71

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.