Shining Tor at Dusk

Tuesday 1st April 2014 

An evening walk up Shining Tor in the western Peak District 

Distance: 6km; Ascent: 280m; Dry with light winds; Solo

See tracked route in new window

Now that the Spring Equinox had passed and the clocks have gone forward, it's now possible to head out for a hill walk in the light evenings after work :-)  Therefore this evening at 7pm I set off walking from beside Errwood Reservoir and ascended westwards past the ruins of Errwood Hall.

Errwood Reservoir

Ruins of Errwood Hall

I've climbed Shining Tor many times before, but today I noticed a route of ascent I hadn't used before and hence set off climbing up a zig-zagging vehicle track through the woods to the west of Errwood Hall.  I gained height quickly, with good views back westwards to the moors on the far side of the reservoirs, and soon reached the end of the vehicle track shortly after leaving the woods.

Looking east towards Combs Edge

Looking N along the ridge to Cats Tor

I followed a path westwards to meet the main slabbed path along the north ridge of Shining Tor, with good views north towards Cats Tor.  I had arrived on the ridge shortly before sunset, so I spent a few minutes taking a few snaps before continuing on to the summit and trigpoint on Shining Tor (Marilyn, Dewey).

Dusk skies from Shining Tor ridge

Sunset from Shining Tor ridge

Sunset from Shining Tor ridge

Shining Tor trigpoint

After a quick break on the summit I headed SE towards Stake Side before following the pleasant ridge NNE down towards Errwood Reservoir in fading light.  Around half way down I resorted to using my head torch as it was now getting quite dark.  I reached the car at around twenty to nine after a pleasant 6km evening hill walk.