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The Heart of a Peak District Community
Alternative Goyt Valley Walk
Distance approx, 8 miles - Buxton Crescent - Goyt Valley - Buxton Crescent |
Part Two : General trend, part two of walk - The journey is from Long Hill until you reach the Goyt Valley Reservoir and remains of Errwood Hall. This part of the walk is about two miles in length. At Long Hill you are 428 metres above sea level, and from here the narrow tarmac road undulates at first and then follows a very steep downhill trend until the dam is finally reached at approx, 205 metres above sea level. The road southwards from the dam is relatively flat until a point just beyond where Errwood Hall is reached. Venturing along Goyt's Lane, the walker will soon come upon a lovely stone-built roadside Shrine on the right. Over the wall, there is a view that includes a glimpse of the Fernilee Reservoir and Long Hill snaking its tortuous way towards Whaley Bridge to the north. Leaving the shrine behind, continue on this undulating narrow road until a car park and a small open stretch of water is seen on your left. This reservoir was constructed in about 1830 and put into use for the Comford & High Peak Railway. It served the stationary steam engine that was needed to bring the wagons up and down the very steep Bunsal incline. Note the views from this location. Bearing right, follow the Bunsal incline which drops away steeply on down to curve around to the left towards the bottom. Here, there are the public toilets that serve the valley. Continuing left, the road suddenly turns right, where it takes the walker along the dam wall of the Goyt Valley Reservoir. Note the beautiful views up and across the reservoir. On its left bank, there is a private sailing club. Half way along the dam and to your right, there is a gap in the hedging. Take time to look through this gap, you will catch sight of the impressive valley that holds the much lower Fernilee Reservoir stretching away towards the horizon and the town of Whaley Bridge. Walking to the far end of the dam, continue around to the left and then upwards until a T junction is met. Turn left here and follow the road with the reservoir on your left. Following this road, the walker eventually crosses a curved wrought iron bridge over a stream, there are many Rhododendron shrubs to your right at this point. These were planted as a part of the gardens of the Grimshawe family estate, Errwood Hall. |
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Part Three : General trend, part three of walk - The route rises from 205 metres above sea level on the road at Errwood Hall right up to 479 metres above sea level at the junction of Berry Clough and the old Macclesfield Buxton road. The walk from here into Buxton is about 4 miles. From Goyt's Clough it is the only section of the walk where the walker takes footpaths and not roads until Burbage is reached. Walking via the old packhorse bridge it can get rather wet and muddy where raise platforms have been damaged and are broken away. Via the modern bridge, it's a steady to steep climb in places, up and across the moorland via a well worn signposted footpath. The old Macclesfield to Buxton coaching road is quite rough under foot in many places, at Burbage, a tarmac road finally descends into the town of Buxton. |
After visiting the remains of the old hall, continue to walk south where the road begins to climb steadily away from the reservoir. While walking here, please be aware of traffic coming from behind. It can be quite busy during the summer months. This road is surrounded by mixed woodland, including oak, beech, larch, sycamore and silver birch. Heather, ferns, bracken, foxglove and bilberry carpet the ground. Watch out for the gated route for walkers on your left. Taking the trackway beyond this gate brings you on down towards the level of the young river Goyt. It's very peaceful here, so why not sit a while and rest your weary feet? When you leave, follow the signs which will bring you back up and onto the road again near Goyt's Clough. Continuing in a southerly direction, and looking into the valley on your left, you will see the superb ancient 300-year-old packhorse bridge. Your route to Buxton can be either via this bridge, turning right once you have crossed it, or return to the road and descend further on up the valley and cross the now very narrow Goyt river via the more modern wooden bridge. The footpath rising in front of you, is quite steep in places as it takes the walker high on up over the rugged moorland landscape. Here you will find the company of sheep and grouse, whose lives take them through stands of cotton grass, heather and bilberry, as you gradually make your way towards your goal. After crossing a couple of small rivulets, the path climbs further until it reaches a signpost that indicates Buxton. Do not take this route. Rather, continue to your right, rising a little further until you catch sight of Axe Edge way off to the south. Here you will also be able to see the old Cat and Fiddle inn on the horizon to the west. Here, you'll find the going is easy on the fairly level ground. Fantastic views across Buxton, Harpur Hill and the surrounding landscape are to be had from this superb vantage point. Reaching the stile, you come out onto the old coaching road. Turn left and make your way back down into the town from this point. Just before the rough stone road meets the modern tarmac version, you cross the track of the old Comford & High Peak Railway once again. When the road proper is reached, continue along it until you reach the traffic lights. Keep walking straight on. This is St John's Road and walking along this, it will bring you out close to the Pavilion Gardens on the right-hand side of the road. Crossing over, take the side road that eases off to the right, beside the Opera House. This brings you out into The Square, follow this around to the right and turn left past the Old Hall Hotel. A few more metres and you will have ended your journey, back where you started in Buxton's Crescent once again. Recommended link to Errwood Hall : http://www.grimshaworigin.org/Webpages2/ErrwoodGoyt.htm |
 
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