Shining Tor 559m, Peak District (Marilyn).
Summary
One of the most noted of the Peak District’s tops. Nestled around Errwood Reservoir it make’s for a nice scenic outing but not the best of weather day’s for it today.
Parking is aplenty here via large car parks and roadside. No height barriers too. I won’t give a turn by turn account but basically head West to the right from the start point across an open field until you pick up a path that takes you through the stone wall and up to the ruins of Errwood Hall. Here you go round the ruins and pick up a trail that takes you to a small wooden river bridge. If you have gone over the bridge as I did you have gone a tad too far and need to turn right just before the bridge and then immediately left.
You are now on a well trodden trail that follows the forest on the left for about a kilometre. You will see a quirky small conical shrine just down to the left and shortly after you come out on the road where you head left and uphill for another kilometre. Just before the brow you will see a gated path to your left which leads you onto the hill.
Once on the hill it is simple, keep the wall to your right and keep going on the undulating muddy trail South for about three kilometres to the trig pointed summit of Shining Tor. It is a nice spot but not today but on a nice day I would expect great views.
The home leg takes you downhill SE on a good track and then a dog leg that takes you downhill again towards the forest. The path is quite rough here. Eventually you will get to a locked steel gate. Go over this and you will end up on a track that leads to a road which leads you back to your start point, viola!
Parking: Large Car Park. Roadside.
Route: Established good trails, muddy mountain paths and some rough tracks.
Route Statistics: 10k’s and 360m of height done in 2.5 hours.