Goyt Valley | Sun 04 Feb 2024 - 09:00AM

The Goyt Valley combines picturesque reservoir, river, moorland and woodland scenery. The western side of the valley is a long ridge running from Windgather Rocks to Shining Tor, which is the highest hill in Cheshire at an elevation of 559m above sea level. The valley floor was flooded in 1938 to create Fernilee Reservoir resulting in the demolition of Errwood Hall to prevent any pollution, the ruins of the hall are still accessible! We are offering up to 4 walks today, ranging in length and difficulty, which are described below. Walk 1 and 2 are ideal for those new to hiking or enjoy a social, slow-paced walk with plenty of photo opportunities (and a bit longer in the pub). Walks 3 and 4 are more challenging, covering more distance and ascent. They require a faster walking pace with fewer stops.

What to bring

  • Walking Boots - NOT TRAINERS
  • Suitable trousers for walking - NOT JEANS
  • 2L of Water (3L on long or hot days)
  • Backpack (20-30 litres is ideal)
  • Waterproof Coat
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Warm Layers - Especially during our colder months. (Don’t forget those hats and gloves)

More information can be found on the gear page

Cost

Members: £13

Non-members: £18

Where to meet us

For the Sunday hikes we provide transport for you to and from the location of the hike. Please see below the timings and location of the bus stops. ARRIVE 5 MINUTES BEFORE TIMINGS

  1. 09:00 - Speaks.Month.Jabs | Tesco Extra taxi rank in Beeston
  2. 09:04 - Hosts.Overnight.Logic | Broadgate Park
  3. 09:07 - Warns.Stir.Secure | Lenton Grove (Humanities)
  4. 09:09 - Number.Villa.Files | David Ross Sports Village
  5. 09:11 - Pulled.Caves.Port | Lincoln Hall
  6. 09:16 - Apply.Extra.Rewarding | Marchwood Close (For Jubilee and Wollaton)
  7. 09:18 - Mole.Retain.Also | Raleigh Park
  8. 09:21 - Client.Gravy.Belt | Willoughby Avenue (For Lenton)
  9. 09:26 - Spray.Unable.Rental | University East Entrance Bus Stop (Dunkirk)
  10. 09:28 - Focus.Giving.Ranked | East Drive Bus Stop
bus route

Walk 1

Errwood Hall, St Joseph’s Shrine and Fernilee Reservoir (Shorter)

Walk 1 begins at the lay-by outside the Cat & Fiddle (SK 001 719). Follow the A537 north for 250m. Bear right and follow the track for another 250m. At the fork, bear right and follow the footpath for 2km. Sharply turn left, and follow the winding path through Shooter’s Clough for 1km. At the junction turn right and follow the track as it bears left to reach the ruin of Errwood Hall (SK 008 747). Continue to follow the path as it bears left, crossing the footbridge over the stream. Turn left and follow the path on the side of the valley for 1.25km to reach St Joseph’s Shrine (SK 002 759). Continue to follow the path for 250m towards The Street. Turn right and follow The Street for 1.25km. At Errwood Dam turn left and follow the footpath for 2.25km, handrailing Fernilee Reservoir on the right. Cross Fernilee Dam and turn left and briefly follow the track. Turn left again and follow the track for 1.25km, handrailing with the River Goyt on the left. At the crossroads at the footbridge, bear right and follow the footpath for 750m through fields, passing Folds Lane Farm. Cross the A5004 and finish the walk at The Shady Oak Country Inn (SK 016 789).

Walk 2

Shining Tor and Windgather Rocks(Shorter)

Walk 2 begins at the lay-by outside the Cat & Fiddle (SK 001 719). Follow the A537 north for 250m. Bear right and follow the track for another 250m. At the fork, bear right and follow the footpath for 1km. Turn left and follow the footpath for another 1km to the summit of Shining Tor (SJ 994 737). Follow the footpath north along the ridge for 3km, passing Cats Tor and Oldgate Nick. Cross The Street at Pym Chair and follow the footpath for 500m. Join the road and follow it north for 1km. Bear right and follow the footpath along the top of Windgather Rocks (SJ 994 782). At the wall, turn right and follow the footpath through the woodland for 750m. Turn right and descend the footpath for 1km to reach Overton Hall Farm. Turn left and follow the Midshires Way for 1.25km to Taxal. At St James’ Church, turn right and cross the footbridge over the River Goyt. Turn right and follow the footpath through Shallcross Wood for 1.5km, handrailing with the River Goyt on the right. At the crossroads at the footbridge, sharply turn left and follow the footpath for 750m through fields, passing Folds Lane Farm. Cross the A5004 and finish the walk at The Shady Oak Country Inn (SK 016 789).

Walk 3

Errwood Hall, St Joseph’s Shrine and Fernilee Reservoir (Longer)

Walk 3 begins at a lay-by on the A54 (SK 032 713). Briefly follow the A54 west then bear right and follow a footpath for 1.25km, handrailing a wall to the right. Turn right and follow the footpath for 500m to reach Derbyshire Bridge car park. Follow the track for 1.25km down Goyt’s Clough. Bear left and follow the footpath for 2.25km, passing Deep Clough and Stake Clough. At the junction near Stake Farm, turn right and follow the footpath for 1.5km. Sharply turn left, and follow the winding path through Shooter’s Clough for 1km. At the junction turn right and follow the track as it bears left to reach the ruin of Errwood Hall (SK 008 747). Continue to follow the path as it bears left, crossing the footbridge over the stream. Turn left and follow the path on the side of the valley for 1.25km to reach St Joseph’s Shrine (SK 002 759). Continue to follow the path for 250m towards The Street. Turn right and follow The Street for 1.25km. At Errwood Dam turn left and follow the footpath for 2.25km, handrailing Fernilee Reservoir on the right. Cross Fernilee Dam and turn left and briefly follow the track. Turn left again and follow the track for 1.25km, handrailing with the River Goyt on the left. At the crossroads at the footbridge, bear right and follow the footpath for 750m through fields, passing Folds Lane Farm. Cross the A5004 and finish the walk at The Shady Oak Country Inn (SK 016 789).

Walk 4

Shining Tor and Windgather Rocks (Longer)

Walk 4 begins at a lay-by on the A54 (SK 032 713). Briefly follow the A54 west then bear right and briefly follow a footpath. Turn right and follow the footpath north for 1km. Cross the track and follow the footpath for 1.75km down Berry Clough. Cross the packhorse bridge over the River Goyt and cross the track. Follow an unmarked path through the public access land to reach a footpath. Follow the footpath for 1.75km, passing Deep Clough and Stake Clough. At the junction near Stake Farm, turn right and briefly follow the footpath. Turn left and follow the footpath for 1km to the summit of Shining Tor (SJ 994 737). Follow the footpath north along the ridge for 3km, passing Cats Tor and Oldgate Nick. Cross The Street at Pym Chair and follow the footpath for 500m. Join the road and follow it north for 1km. Bear right and follow the footpath along the top of Windgather Rocks (SJ 994 782). At the wall, turn right and follow the footpath through the woodland for 750m. Turn right and descend the footpath for 1km to reach Overton Hall Farm. Turn left and follow the Midshires Way for 1.25km to Taxal. At St James’ Church, turn right and cross the footbridge over the River Goyt. Turn right and follow the footpath through Shallcross Wood for 1.5km, handrailing with the River Goyt on the right. At the crossroads at the footbridge, sharply turn left and follow the footpath for 750m through fields, passing Folds Lane Farm. Cross the A5004 and finish the walk at The Shady Oak Country Inn (SK 016 789).

Bootstrap