Shutlingsloe, Shining Tor & Axe Edge Moor -
Sunday 26 April 2015
Route
Clough House - Shutlingsloe - Torgate Farm - A537 - Shining Tor - Goytsclough - Berry Clough - Axe Edge Moor - Axe Edge End - Knotbury - Wicken Walls - Crag Hall - Clough House
Parking
Clough House Car Park (Free) - Grid Ref SJ988698
Mileage
16.7 miles
Terrain
Good moorland paths with some road walking along quiet lanes in the latter stages.
Weather
Excellent visibility, mild with light breezes.
Time Taken
8hrs
Total Ascent
3707ft (1130m)
Map
OL24 - The Peak District (White Peak Area)
Clough House - Shutlingsloe - Torgate Farm - A537 - Shining Tor - Goytsclough - Berry Clough - Axe Edge Moor - Axe Edge End - Knotbury - Wicken Walls - Crag Hall - Clough House
Parking
Clough House Car Park (Free) - Grid Ref SJ988698
Mileage
16.7 miles
Terrain
Good moorland paths with some road walking along quiet lanes in the latter stages.
Weather
Excellent visibility, mild with light breezes.
Time Taken
8hrs
Total Ascent
3707ft (1130m)
Map
OL24 - The Peak District (White Peak Area)
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Walk Description
There is much to see in the Peak District. We have been up here many times and have only scratched the surface of the walking that is on offer. Today was a chance to join up three peaks in one walk and whilst this ramble is a long way, to be fair it is not too onerous on the ascent and makes for an enjoyable day out in this glorious countryside.
The walk started from the free Car Park at Clough House which is north of the hamlet of Wildboarclough. Leaving the Car Park we headed south east along the quiet road before soon heading off to the right at a sign to Shutlingsloe. From the sign there was a good path which headed away from Shutlingsloe but then switched back once past the farm and then rose gradually to reach the summit. From the top the route stretched out in front of us and we could see clearly our descent plus the next summit of Shining Tor which looked a long way away and also Jodrell Bank. Heading down, we hand railed Macclesfield Forest and then on reaching Deyknowle Farm, picked up the Concessionary Footpath which took us to Torgate Farm from where the path changes direction but still remains Concessionary until it reaches the A537.
Crossing the busy road was rewarded by reaching the oasis that is the Peak View Tea Rooms. This was a real bonus as we had forgotten it was there although we have passed it many times before. Suffice to say there is no excuse for passing a Tea Room in our book. The path continued from the Tea Room and headed away from Shining Tor but switched back, heading along level ground. There was then a gradual descent before a gentle ascent up on to the summit from where the views open out to Shutlingsloe and our next summit of Axe Edge Moor. The summit was busy today with lots of people enjoying this glorious day.
Heading back the way we came we picked up the path to Goyts Moss and passed through Stake Clough and also Deep Clough before reaching a foot bridge which was the beginning of a delightful ramble over towards Berry Clough before arriving at the A537 for the second time. The route then headed due south before making a turn to the east and the summit of Axe Edge Moor. From the trig point there were extensive views over to Chrome & Parkhouse Hills as well as back to Shining Tor and over to Shutlingsloe. The moor itself is shared between the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire & Cheshire which meet on its south western flank at the Three Shire's Head on the River Dane.
We had now cracked the last of the 3 summits today but there was still a long way to go. The remainder of the walk was via undulating paths and quiet farmland and we saw nobody even though the route passes by the popular path to Three Shires Head. Crossing the A54, it was a simple case of heading up to the imposing house at Crag Hall before following the quiet lane back to Clough House.
Another really delightful walk and although it is nearly 17 miles, it never really felt like it. One to be repeated in the future we think.
The walk started from the free Car Park at Clough House which is north of the hamlet of Wildboarclough. Leaving the Car Park we headed south east along the quiet road before soon heading off to the right at a sign to Shutlingsloe. From the sign there was a good path which headed away from Shutlingsloe but then switched back once past the farm and then rose gradually to reach the summit. From the top the route stretched out in front of us and we could see clearly our descent plus the next summit of Shining Tor which looked a long way away and also Jodrell Bank. Heading down, we hand railed Macclesfield Forest and then on reaching Deyknowle Farm, picked up the Concessionary Footpath which took us to Torgate Farm from where the path changes direction but still remains Concessionary until it reaches the A537.
Crossing the busy road was rewarded by reaching the oasis that is the Peak View Tea Rooms. This was a real bonus as we had forgotten it was there although we have passed it many times before. Suffice to say there is no excuse for passing a Tea Room in our book. The path continued from the Tea Room and headed away from Shining Tor but switched back, heading along level ground. There was then a gradual descent before a gentle ascent up on to the summit from where the views open out to Shutlingsloe and our next summit of Axe Edge Moor. The summit was busy today with lots of people enjoying this glorious day.
Heading back the way we came we picked up the path to Goyts Moss and passed through Stake Clough and also Deep Clough before reaching a foot bridge which was the beginning of a delightful ramble over towards Berry Clough before arriving at the A537 for the second time. The route then headed due south before making a turn to the east and the summit of Axe Edge Moor. From the trig point there were extensive views over to Chrome & Parkhouse Hills as well as back to Shining Tor and over to Shutlingsloe. The moor itself is shared between the counties of Derbyshire, Staffordshire & Cheshire which meet on its south western flank at the Three Shire's Head on the River Dane.
We had now cracked the last of the 3 summits today but there was still a long way to go. The remainder of the walk was via undulating paths and quiet farmland and we saw nobody even though the route passes by the popular path to Three Shires Head. Crossing the A54, it was a simple case of heading up to the imposing house at Crag Hall before following the quiet lane back to Clough House.
Another really delightful walk and although it is nearly 17 miles, it never really felt like it. One to be repeated in the future we think.
The walk started from the Clough House Car Park north of Wildboarclough
A short bit of road walking leads to this sign which points the way to a good path to Shutlingsloe
Shutlingsloe - the path to the summit is clearly visible
Near the summit of Shutlingsloe and a reception committee await our arrival
The summit of Shutlingsloe
The summit Trig Point on Shutlingsloe. Our next peak of Shining Tor is just right of centre. It looked a long, long way away - and it was!
Making Billy Big Steps on the descent of Shutlingsloe
Love these old signs - looking back to Shutlingsloe
Ridgegate Reservoir & Macclesfield Forest
The path from Deyknowle Farm is a Concession Footpath which then bypasses Torgate Farm to reach the A537
A good track leads away from Deyknowle Farm
Heading for Torgate Farm and looking back at Shutlingsloe
We get the message - blunt and to the point.
It would have been rude not to stop and sample the delights of the Peak View Tea Rooms on the A537
From the Peak View Tea Rooms the path to Shining Tor heads gently uphill then switches back
A nice gentle ascent up on to Shining Tor
Looking back at the gentle ascent
The summit of Shining Tor looking to Shutlingsloe. It was great to be out on a day like today.
Shining Tor - sunny but a bit chilly. As you can see, Fudge wants to move on
Conditions were really good now as we headed off Shining Tor to Axe Edge
Errwood Reservoir
Near Goytsclough Quarry on Goyt's Moss - we were heading to Derbyshire Bridge
...... shortly leaving for Axe Edge
Axe Edge ahead - first we had to cross the A537 again
Again this route was well signposted
The summit of Axe Edge
The summit Trig Point looking to Chrome Hill
Heading away from Axe Edge
Nearing the end of the walk, Shutlingsloe comes back into view
Reaching the road at Crag Hall near Wildboarclough
Crag Hall with a backdrop of Shutlingsloe - nice gaff
The quiet road back to Clough House