Pym Chair – Shining Tor circular 18th April 2021

A short walk on a nice day, in good company.

The day started with a bad decision to entrust the route to the start to Google maps – it took us on a most fiddly, twisty and messy route….although it may have shaved 30 seconds on my usual route.

Whatever. At 9am (the one in the morning) two doggies and 6 walkers met at the Pym Chair Car Park. This is a group of friends known as The After Eights, and led by Suzanne and her doggies. Joules is one of those friends, hence our attendance. 

The great dryness we've been enjoying of late provided me with the opportunity to test ride my new Salomon XT Inari Trail running shoes.

The weather forecast was good but it was a little chilly as we set off south on the mostly paved path over Cat Tor and then to Shining Tor.

The going was good, and whilst the path wasn’t exactly quiet, it certainly wasn’t overly busy.

It was a different story at Shining Tor, for here it really was busy – lots of folk stopping to eat their butties, take in the lovely views, or just having a breather.

We took the opportunity to sit down for a quick coffee whilst soaking up the sun. It was by now really quite warm, layers were being shed, left, right and centre.

 

There good views of Windgather Rocks, White Nancy, Shutlinsloe & Macclesfield Forest, and Bowstones. And That Manchester.

Leaving the crowds behind, we descended, west, to follow a path north to the delightfully named Thursbitch, the ruin of what must once have been a substantial building.

The path here was a bit rough, but it was good and dry underfoot. Soon we were on a good farm track, then proper tarmac, to arrive at Jenkin Chapel – and butty time. You can read a bit about this interesting place of worship here.

The chapel is still in use, although services are only held once a month.

 

A peak through the chapel window.

It was then a short but rather steep walk back to the car park.

We drove home without the aid of Google maps!

Where we went (clockwise):

 

About 6 miles with 1000’ of ascent. 

Oh, and the Salomon XT Inari Trail Running shoes: they were generally comfortable although I had a bit of a heel rub by the end of the walk. and they had those bloody stupid pull-laces. They're going to be changed for proper laces before I use them again. Other than that: good.