Foxlow Edge, Shining Tor and Cats Tor Circular Walk | 6 Miles
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
This Peak District circular walk meant we could tick off another three peaks from the Peak District Peak Bagging Challenge. Shining Tor is also one of the Accessible Peak District Trig Points #63trigs
Route Map:
Parking: Parking for the Shining Tor circular walk is in the Pym Chair car park at SK10 5XL.
Facilities: None on the route, although you can book to visit the Cat and Fiddle for drinks.
Walk Length: 11km (6.5 miles)
Difficulty: ▲▲
Walk Time: 2-3 hours
Peak District Trig Points Bagged: Shining Tor
Peak District Peaks Bagged: Shining Tor, Cats Tor, Foxlow Edge
Peak District Ethels Bagged: Shining Tor, Cats Tor, Foxlow Edge
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, i did this walk solo today and loved it. Will be doing it again.
It’s a great walk! We really enjoyed it and will definitely try and get out that way again. I’m glad you love it too!
What a lovely walk. Did it this afternoon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re very welcome! We really enjoyed this one too, so I’m glad you did!
Hi thankyou for sharing the walking route. You mentioned you can add Whetstone Ridge? how did you do this or was it just an out and back?
It’s a short walk from the Cat and Fiddle pub, so just before you head up to the Shining Tor trig point there’s a path that runs to the Cat and Fiddle – you can add Whetstone Ridge as an out and back from there. Happy hiking!