Manchester Weekend Walkers lead public transport walks into fantastic countryside all year round.
Train & bus-based walk
Leader: Mark F, joining train at Stockport
Meet Point: Near the ticket barriers, or on the platform, at Piccadilly station. Alternatively, meet the group at any stage of the public transport journey, or at the Walk Start. Driving to the Walk Start is not recommended as there is no direct transport link between the start and end points. Drivers can park at Whaley Bridge and catch the 60 bus at 09:16, joining up with the group for the 58 bus in Macclesfield.
Transport to Walk Start: 09:25 train from Manchester Piccadilly (final destination Bournemouth). At Macclesfield, change to the 58 bus at 10:15 (final destination Buxton).
Suggested Ticket: Greater Manchester Wayfarer £16.90
Walk Start: Outside Cat and Fiddle (Forest Distillery) at 10:40.
Waypoints: Shining Tor, Thursbitch, Jenkin Chapel, Dunge Farm, Taxal Edge, Windgather Rocks, Pym Chair car park, The Street, Errwood Hall (ruins), Errwood Reservoir, Fernilee Reservoir, Goyt Valley, River Goyt, Taxal,
Return Services: From Whaley Bridge: x:03/04 & x:33 until 19:33, then x:31 until 22:31. Last train at 23:15.
Extra: Toilets in Macclesfield where we change between train and bus. No toilets at walk start - the distillery will be closed when we set off. No toilets en route. Optional pub visit at the end of the walk.
We start the walk from the Cat & Fiddle, once the second highest pub in Britain, now a whisky and gin distillery.
We head straight over the moors to Shining Tor before dropping down into the “Valley of the Demon” and the farm ruins at Thursbitch.
We then make our way to Jenkin Chapel, built in 1733 and unchanged since. We then continue onwards over fields to Dunge Valley Gardens before climbing up to Windgather Rocks.
We then make our way to St. Joseph’s Shrine and the ruins of Errwood Hall. We then start our turn for
home as we skirt two reservoirs before following the River Goyt back to Whaley Bridge.
Good footwear or walking boots required for the terrain on this walk.
This is a long, strenuous walk with no bailout options, so you will need a high level of fitness to do this walk.
Please bring extra food, drinks and snacks for a long, hard day of walking. There are no opportunities en route to buy provisions.
