Shining Tor

Shining Tor

Shining Tor rises to 559 m above the western side of the Goyt Valley in the Peak District. It is Cheshire’s highest point, on the Cheshire East–Derbyshire boundary ridge. Cats Tor is the separate top to the north; Shutlingsloe is the distinctive hill to the southwest. Neither is an alternative name for this summit. [1, 2, 6]

Finding the summit

A white concrete trig pillar stands beside the boundary wall. The Database of British and Irish Hills places the highest ground 7 m north-northeast of the pillar, at SJ 99466 73749, and records a mound east of the wall at SJ 99475 73744 as similar in height. Use the provided crossing rather than climbing the wall. [1, 5]

Choose a route and its return

• Cat & Fiddle road out-and-back: start at the A537 layby near the Stake Farm approach, follow the track north, keep right at the initial fork and continue past the farm. At the upper junction take the path toward Shining Tor, then return to the same layby. The linked guide gives approximately 4 km and 1–1.5 hours. These figures exclude any extra walk from the distillery or another parking place. [8]
• Pym Chair ridge: from Pym Chair car park, join the signed hill path and walk south over Cats Tor, continuing along the flagged ridge to Shining Tor. Retrace the ridge to Pym Chair. The published round trip is about 6.6 km. The high starting point reduces the climb but leaves much of the walk exposed to wind. [3]
• Errwood Hall circuit: a longer climb from the reservoir follows Stake Side to the summit. The linked 6 km circuit returns north along the ridge, turns east before Cats Tor, and descends by forestry tracks and the Errwood Hall area. Its ridge exit is unsigned and easy to miss; use the full route map. This is a different itinerary from the Park Authority’s Rivers, Ruins & Ridges walk, whose summit visit is an additional out-and-back detour. [2, 5]

Terrain and preparation

Expect open moorland, grass and earth paths, rough tracks and stone paving. Wet ground can be boggy, and paved or rocky sections need care in rain or frost. Carry warm and waterproof layers and a map; mist, wind and changing weather matter even on the short approach. On the Park Authority route, an unbridged stream may make turning back sensible after heavy rain. Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and ground-nesting birds, take litter home and avoid fires or barbecues. Follow any signed forestry diversions. [2, 3, 10]

Views and geology

In clear conditions, look across the Cheshire Plain, towards Shutlingsloe and Jodrell Bank; distant Welsh hills may be visible. Visibility is weather-dependent. The local sandstone succession includes Chatsworth Grit, part of the Carboniferous Millstone Grit sequence. [5, 6, 9, 13]

Parking, transport and facilities

Choose parking for your actual route. Forestry England lists Pym Chair, The Street and Errwood Hall car parks. The road south from Errwood towards Derbyshire Bridge is one-way. From 1 May to the end of September, on Sundays and bank holidays, the road from The Street to Derbyshire Bridge closes to visitor motor traffic from 10:30 to 17:30. Check signs and current access information. [7]

The Cat & Fiddle is now Forest Distillery with a bar and shop. Its car park is private and for customers, who must register their vehicle on arrival; ask the operator before leaving a car for a walk. Meals are not served, though snacks are available. Bring food and water, and plan toilet stops before reaching the hill or Goyt Valley car parks. [5, 11, 12]

Transport checked 16 October 2026: High Peak’s service 58 normally links Buxton and Macclesfield via the Cat & Fiddle, but an active diversion means it is not serving that stop through 30 October 2026. Check the operator’s live notice and return journey before travelling; do not assume the normal route has resumed. [4]

Sources

1. Database of British and Irish Hills v18.6, rows 2812, 3640 and 3644
2. Peak District National Park: Rivers, Ruins & Ridges in the Goyt Valley
3. Peak District Kids: Shining Tor from Pym Chair
4. High Peak: service 58
5. Walk Peak District: Shining Tor summit circuit
6. Walking Britain walk 3510: Shining Tor, Cats Tor and Foxlow Edge
7. Forestry England: Goyt Valley visitor information
8. 10Adventures: Shining Tor via Cat and Fiddle Road
9. British Geological Survey: Buxton, Leek and Bakewell memoir
10. Forestry England: tree felling at Goyt Valley
11. Forest Distillery: bar at the Cat & Fiddle
12. Forest Distillery: frequently asked questions
13. British Geological Survey: Chapel en le Frith memoir