3 tops from the Goyt valley.
Back in August I compiled a list of 170 hilltops in and around the Peak district that I wouldn't mind visiting on my walks, I have given myself a couple of years to walk them all....Fast forward 5 months and I have only bagged 30 of them...Best get a wriggle on. With this in mind we drove across the Peak district to knock another 3 off the list. Foxlow edge, Cats tor and Shining tor. Its a walk I know well,having done it many times in the past. A steady drizzle greeted us as we pulled into the car park in the Goyt valley, just inside Derbyshire close to its border with Cheshire...we were soon togged up in waterproofs..lets get going, Before long we passed the ruins of Errwood hall the former home of the Grimshawe family. it would have been quite an imposing mansion back in its day, not much to see today, a few walls and arches, sad reminders of its past glory. Still drizzling quite heavy we walked on leaving it to the ghosts.
Walking through the woods..The sound of water everywhere, a rushing stream to the right, rain dripping off the trees,Alfie,
our dog sprinkling on the mosses..Everything seemed to be covered in a carpet of moss..Have you ever taken a close look at moss, its amazing...Apparently there are 12.000 species of it.
Soon we veered off to the right on a path marked to Foxlow edge..quite steep and slippy we were soon free of the trees and walking along the most attractive little ridge. The rain had now stopped but it was blowing a gale...I felt alive..Some great hills in view to our right, some of which are on my list..Chinley churn , Eccles pike, South head etc etc...I like little Foxlow edge.
Downhill to the lane now which we followed to the left up to Pym chair and into Cheshire.Theres a path alongside the road but we stuck to the road to avoid the mud...At the top we hit the ridge, to our right lies Windgather rocks and just for a second I thought "lets detour to tick it off the list"..No best stick to the original plan..It was only a short Hop Skip and a Jump from here to reach the second top of the day..Cats tor..Standing at 1713ft there are some nice views, not today though couldn't see a sausage in the thick mist...we settled down behind the ridge wall for Coffee and Christmas cake...enjoyed it.
After a short break we set off ,bound for Shining tor..Its an easy walk along a nice slabbed path..we thought back to the first time we walked along here in the years before the path was laid...it was a nightmare in those days..We had a chat along here with a bloke who was out with his Spaniel, 13 years old and still springing..she looked lovely. Springers seem to keep their good looks all though their life..Eventually we arrived at the trig pillar on Shining tor, its the highest point in the whole of Cheshire...not worth stopping today though, just gave the pillar the customary pat ,a quick photo and we were off
Do we follow the path back down Stakeside?...Or the path down to Goytsclough quarry ?..We plumped for the quarry. In this thick mist there would be more to see..Sure enough as we dropped down the clouds lifted and we were treated to some nice views
Down in the valley there are some lovely little waterfalls and some benches to sit and enjoy a lunch box...Sausage, Bacon and egg sandwiches [Vegetarian of course]..Washed down with stewed coffee.After a lengthy break it was back along the valley to the car park...We had only walked 7 miles but every step was a joy.
