Walk #1: Shining Tor and Cat's Tor from the Cat and Fiddle pub

General Data

Map of the walk

Notes

Little did I know that this was going to be the start of what has become a rather interesting hobby, pastime and, if I am truthful, obsession. I had the last of a series of operations on my left ankle only seven months before, and the long recuperation was far from over. I had decided to do the Pennine Way midway though the year, and started the forerunner of this website to log my training walks. Part of me expected my ankle to start hurting me again, so I was determined to enjoy every mile. I was staying at my parents' home in Derbyshire for Christmas and the New Year, so this walk along the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire seemed like a good enough place to start...

Directions

This is a nice short walk along the Derbyshire / Cheshire border.

Park on the A537 Buxton to Macclesfield road opposite the Cat and Fiddle pub. This is the second highest pub in England (the alternative is the Tan Hill Inn on the Pennine Way). Head west down the A537 until you come to a left-hand bend. On the apex of the bend, follow a path that goes straight on. After 250 meters there is a split in the track. Follow the branch to the north-northeast.

Go over a stile and shortly there is a gap in the wall which is a path northwestwards up to the top of Shining Tor. There is then an easy to follow (but sometimes muddy) path roughly northwards up to Cats Tor. After Cat's Tor, follow the path down to a minor road near Pym Chair. When you reach the road, follow it westwards past a car park and down a steep hill.

Before the bottom of the hill a track heads off over a stile to the left. Follow it to the left of Howlersknoll Farm and on roughly southwards to the ruined farm of Thursbitch. Immediately past the ruins, turn right and go for a short distance over a stream before heading roughly southwards again. Follow a stone wall uphill, and when you reach a corner head due south to a corner in two more walls. Follow the left side of the southbound wall uphill.

Near the top of the hill you come across another wall heading west to east. Follow this wall uphill to Shining Tor, and from there retrace your steps back to the Cat and Fiddle.

Distances

This makes a total distance of 7.2 miles, with 1299 feet of ascent and 1299 feet of descent.

Disclaimer

Please note that I take no responsibility for anything that may happen when following these directions. If you intend to follow this route, then please use the relevant maps and check the route out before you go out. As always when walking, use common sense and you should be fine.

If you find any information on any of these routes that is inaccurate, or you wish to add anything, then please email me.

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And finally, enjoy your walking!

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