Trail Running > Routes > Peak District Routes > Windgather Rocks & Shining Tor
A 17 km trail run high above the Goyt Valley, featuring windswept crags, misty moors and signature Peak District views.
Why run this trail?
This route packs a lot of variety into a modest distance – lakeside paths, riverside trails, a short but dramatic ridge, open moorland and a full-gas descent to close the show. It’s a local classic for good reason – even on a storm-lashed November afternoon I met plenty of hardy souls out enjoying its moody charms.
The route is well-marked throughout and most of the boggy sections are paved with flagstones. There’s nothing technical or overly challenging about the terrain, bar a bit of steep climbing to reach Taxal Edge. Simply kit up, brace for the wind and enjoy some of the best trail running in the Goyt Valley.
Errwood Reservoir to Taxal
Leave The Street Car Park via the path near the southern entrance and cross directly to the T-junction with Goyt’s Lane. A fingerpost marks the start of the route – a grassy track leading down towards the dam at the north end of Errwood Reservoir.
The trail soon enters woodland and hugs the edge of Fernilee Reservoir. After about 2 km you’ll reach a metalled lane – turn right towards the dam at the end of the reservoir. At the T-junction (and small parking area) bear left and head up the lane.
After 750 m, look out for the wooden gate on the cusp of a bend on your right – it’s easy to miss and the signage is very subtle: a yellow painted dot on the gate. Pass through the cottage yard and through another gate to follow the path as it descends into trees.
You will quickly cross a small wooden footbridge, then immediately turn right to cross the River Goyt on another bridge. Turn left and continue on the clear path across farmland on this picturesque section of the Goyt Valley.
After a few hundred metres, you’ll enter woodland – follow the signage for Taxal. Shortly afterwards you’ll pass through a gate and drop down to cross the river again at Taxal. There’s the option of a ford if it’s hot and you fancy a paddle – certainly not the case when I did this run – I opted for the footbridge!
The climbing starts on the steep lane up to Taxal church. At the top of the lane, turn left to pass a row of stone cottages, then follow the footpath sign to Taxal Edge through a gate on your right. Continue across two fields, keeping the wall on your right, then cross the ladder stile to join Taxal Moor Road.
Taxal Moor to Taxal Edge
Cross the lane and turn left to pick up the grass track on the verge. After about 50 m, bear right into the pine trees, following the obvious path. You’ll soon emerge onto Taxal Moor – a beautiful sweep of heather and moorland shrubs with views south down the Goyt Valley and north towards Whaley Bridge.
It’s a short, steep push to the top of the moor at Taxal Edge, where the route heads south, with the wall to your right. The grassy track continues to rise gradually. Turn right as the track peels away from the wall and begins to dip then cross a stile to continue descending into a forest basin, climbing quickly out the other side. Turn left once you reach the wall and then cross a stile. Bear right, following the wall around and then left at the top to emerge at the striking gritstone ridge of Windgather Rocks.
Windgather Rocks
Perched on the border between Cheshire and Derbyshire, Windgather Rocks (408 m) is a popular spot for learning to rock climb – the rock dries quickly in the ever-present wind and its jagged buttresses rise steeply from the moor. It’s a dramatic spot, with nice views of the rolling hills and surrounds. On my visit, 35-mph gusts and stinging rain meant I had the place entirely to myself — a rare privilege.
From here, the high point of today’s run – Shining Tor – was just visible under a wreath of cloud to the south.
Windgather Rocks to Shining Tor
Navigating from Windgather Rocks to the summit of Shining Tor couldn’t be simpler – a well trodden path runs plumb straight in a southerly direction and the summit is rarely out of sight.
Leaving the rocks behind, pick up the moorland path running parallel to the road. After about 1 km, the path veers left over a small wooden footbridge and gets boggier. You’ll shortly emerge through a gate onto the lane at Pym Chair. Cross the lane and turn right then pass through another gate onto the moor towards Cats Tor.
With thick mist rolling in and the rain becoming heavier, it seemed to take an age to reach the top of Cats Tor (519 m) making it feel a lot more remote than its modest height would suggest. In truth it’s not much of a summit – just a grassy mound on the final climb up to Shining Tor which quickly becomes paved and a little grinding.
Granted only occasional views through breaks in the cloud, I got my head down for the final 2 km of flagstones to the top of Shining Tor (559 m) – the highest point in Cheshire. Nothing shiny about it today – thick, swirling cloud at the summit made it impossible to pick out anything beyond the trig point.
Shining Tor to Errwood Reservoir
With no reason to loiter, I set about the first part of the descent – a quick section of flowing hard packed trail with a final kick up to a small rise at the top of Stake Side.
From here, it’s a hard left to follow the line of a stone wall that gradually descends for about a kilometre before steepening nicely for the final fast and furious downhill section back to Errwood Reservoir.
From the southern end of the reservoir, It’s an easy kilometre back to the starting point. I quickly swapped the tarmac for a grassy roadside path and jogged the last few strides dreaming of dry socks and a strong coffee. Even on a day of “bleak in the Peak” weather, this route delivered all the elements of a great trail-running adventure.
Trail run highlights
Trail run tips
More trail running routes in the Peak District
Trail Running Routes in the Peak District
Disclaimer
All routes and GPX files are provided as a guide only. Conditions, rights of way, and landmarks may change. Always carry an up‑to‑date map and use your own judgement. See the Trail Run Disclaimer page for details.