Foxlow Edge, Shining Tor and Cats Tor Circular Walk

November 30, 2021 CIRCULAR WALKS, MEDIUM WALKS 4-9 MILES, PEAK DISTRICT WALKS

Looking for a Shining Tor circular walk? This is a Peak District circular walk of around 11km (just over 6 miles) and takes in Foxlow Edge, Shining Tor and Cats Tor. These are 3 of the 105 Peak District peaks on the Peak District Peak Bagging Challenge and are on the Peak District Ethels Challenge too, so it was great to get them ticked off.

Shining Tor trig point

This was the coldest walk we had been on for some time, with temperatures not getting above 3º all day. We took a Thermos flask of hot chocolate with us, which was very welcome when we reached the ruins of Errwood Hall.

We parked at the Pym Chair car park and then headed over to Foxlow Edge, having a little detour from the route to visit St Joseph’s Shrine.

St Joseph’s Shrine

Back out onto the hillside, we headed to the top of Foxlow Edge. This is a very gentle climb, and there isn’t very much at the summit! First peak bagged though, then it was onto the next!

Stump of a post near the summit of Foxlow Edge

Views from the summit of Foxlow Edge

We headed down the valley and over a little wooden bridge. We had a detour to explore the ruins of Errwood Hall. This is a ruined mansion once owned by the Grimshawe family which was demolished when the construction of Errwood Reservoir and Fernilee Reservoir began. It’s an eerie place, especially in the Grimshawe family cemetery! You can read more about the Errwood Hall ruins here.

Ruins of Errwood Hall

After we had explored Errwood Hall we walked back along the former driveway and through the woods. There is a hidden waterfall along the path, which you can view from a bench (and gave me a chance to perfect my waterfall photography as there aren’t many waterfalls near me). The path snakes up the hillside and at the top, through the gate, there are beautiful views over the Errwood Reservoir.

Path from Errwood Hall

Hidden waterfall near Errwood Hall, shown on the map as a little detour off

Stile and gate at the top of the path with views down towards Errwood Reservoir

Through the gate and turn right!

Views down the Goyt Valley towards Errwood Reservoir

Our route takes us south-west towards the former Cat & Fiddle pub, now the highest altitude whiskey distillery in the UK at some 1600ft above sea level. We didn’t go as far as the pub though, turning off to the north-west to head towards Shining Tor trig point. This is accessed via a little gate from the main path and was really busy when we got there!

Path to Shining Tor trig point

Seating area near to Shining Tor trig point

Shining Tor trig point

After Shining Tor we went back along the stone path towards Cats Tor. After approximately 1.5km you reach the summit of Cats Tor, which doesn’t seem to have a marker of any kind other than a flat rock. From Cats Tor it’s a gentle walk back down the hill to the road, where you can head back to the car park.