Goyt valley edges 5/10/25

A walk of parts ( 14 miles approx) 

Attending: Maggie Baldock, Joe Dugdale, Christine Beeston, Cathy Gordon, John and Midge Castick, Mark Garrod and Michelle Harvie, and Kosta Belajev (guest) 

We met on the windy and deserted expanse of the railway station car park in Whaley Bridge, the early blue sky already tinged with grey and a distant but clear threat of rain.

First to arrive was aspirant KMC associate Kosta, then President Christine and Cathy Gordon strolled up, in almost matching red paramo jackets.

We took a call from Mark and Michelle who decided to join us “on the Kettleshulme Road” having set off a bit late. John and Midge had meanwhile made their way to Fernilee reservoir and would be waiting there. Kate Harvey and Pete arrived, but Daisy was not in the mood for a big walk so they decided to look for a cafe instead.

A little after 10am five of us made our way around the village via the park to the aforementioned Kettleshulme road. No sign of Mark or Michelle, so I rang them. They were up ahead at Taxal church.

The path to Taxal is now routed through a new housing development and thus outwith my memory, but we did find Taxal through the woods, and there were Mark and Michelle patiently waiting in the church yard.

From the church the route drops to the Goyt and follows it closely to Fernilee reservoir. Midge rang while we walked wondering where we were, they were somewhat early getting to the rendezvous, and had a while longer to wait until we arrived. They had become cold, and were ready to go, so we all (now 9) set off together for the first time along the wooded western edge of the reservoir, eventually climbing to meet The Street, and then up to Foxlow Edge. Into the wind and far reaching views it provides.

We split up again, John and Midge making their own way to Errwood hall, while the rest of us took a longer route via the Grimshaws cemetary on the hilltop.

Reunited for lunch in the ruins of the Hall, we had a bit of a rest while the rain began to blow in over the hill. John went off to retrieve their car with a plan to meet us all at Pym Chair some miles distant. Midge joined us on the route up Shooters Clough, and up the moor to the turn off to Shining Tor, the highest point so far.

The undulating ridge path is paved with large slabs which makes easy but tedious walking if you are averse to hard surfaces, it's maybe two and a half miles, in our case in driving rain and strong crosswinds, to get to Pym Chair where John was relaxing in his car. Mark and Michelle joined them to drive back to Whaley, Michelle having walked through pain to this point.

So now we were back to a party of five, for the walk down to Windgather, well-named on that day, and then down through pleasant paths to the Swan Inn in Kettleshulme. Kosta left us  to walk into Whaley, how he knew the route is a mystery. So the remaining four of us went into the pub. After a suitable break and a snack we took Kishfield Lane to Kishfield then walked through woodland and a bit of bog to the side of Toddbrook Reservoir, famous for not breaching its dam a few years ago. There are now trees growing where the water used to be. Not far into the village centre from there.

No one was lost or blown away - so all went well we think.

Joe Dugdale 

Goyt Valley walk led by Joe & Maggie

Meet 9:45 at Whaley Bridge Station to start 10:00. 

There  is a free car park near the canal a couple of minutes walk from the station, and a good cafe close by for those who like a coffee at that time ...

 No accurate weather forcast yet but it has been very dry all summer, so not much soggy ground. 

The walk goes south around the village to Horwich End then joins the Goyt Valley. We follow the river upstream to Fernilee and along the reservoir’s wooded side. Keeping south we take in the ruins of Errwood Hall then ascend Shooter’s Clough.  We return northward via Shining Tor, Cat's Tor and Pym Chair to make our way via Windgather to Kettleshulme where we could call in at The Swan for refreshments.  From here its about a 40 minute walk back into Whaley via Toddbrook.   

About 12 miles over fairly easy ground with great views but plenty of options to shorten the walk if people prefer.

Hope to see you there!