Goyt Valley Walk – An Exciting Circular Route

A Goyt Valley Walk should be on your list of things to do in the Peak District. In this guide, I share the details of an exciting circular walk in Goyt Valley as well as all the essential info you’ll need before visiting.

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Goyt Valley Circular Walk at a Glance

Goyt Valley Walk FAQs

How to Get There

The Goyt Valley lies just a few miles northwest of Buxton, and the easiest way to get there is by car. There is plenty of parking in the area, so you should be fine finding a space, even on busier days.

You can click here for the Google Map location of the car park where I started the hike. If that one is full, you can also start from here.

Best Time to Visit

Being so close to Macclesfield and Manchester, The Goyt Valley is a popular spot in the Peak District. It’s not uncommon to see other hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners on the trails.

Most people visiting the area come to be by the reservoirs, so it will be more relaxed once you head away from the water. I was here during the week and counted only a handful of other people.

Goyt Valley Walk Map

Goyt Valley Walk Difficulty

While there are walks of varying difficulties in Goyt Valley, I would classify this circular walk as moderate. There are no especially tricky or technical areas to the hike, but there’s a fair bit of incline, with some parts being steep and slippery.

Other than that, the trail is relatively easy to navigate, though I suggest having a map to hand so you can ensure you stay on course.

Other Things Worth Knowing

Dogs: The Goyt Valley walking trail is dog-friendly.

Kids: I would not class this Goyt Valley hike as kid-friendly.

Pushchair/Wheelchair Access: This route is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.

Facilities: There are no facilities nearby.

Swimming: Swimming or paddling in any reservoir is strictly prohibited.

Map: It’s always good to have a map handy. We use All Trails.

My Experience on the Goyt Valley Walking Trail

I parked the van at this car park located on The Street. I actually stayed the night here; it was very peaceful, with gorgeous views over the surrounding landscapes. I was excited about what the day would bring.

Upon leaving the car park, the first stretch of trail hugged the road for about a kilometre or so before branching off into the open moorland. The climb to Shining Tor had begun.

I didn’t take many photos on this first stretch of the hike. It’s just vast open moorland with a paved walkway snaking through the landscape. Pretty but a bit repetitive.

It took me about an hour to reach Shining Tor, and it felt manageable. Although Shining Tor is a 560-metre peak, the ascent from the car park is just 160 metres at a very gradual incline.

It was impossible to miss this peak since a big white trig point marked the spot. This was when the hike started to get interesting for me.

From here, I followed the trail to the left and descended toward Errwood Reservoir. If you want to take a detour to The Cat & Fiddle, this is the time to do it. Look out for signs on the trail leading the way.

Other than the odd dogwalker, I was completely alone on the trails. On this stretch, the views over the reservoir and surrounding forests were epic.

Just before approaching the road, I took a right onto a trail that runs just above it. It’s a bit of a mundane stretch this one, but it isn’t for long. At the road, I crossed over and joined the riverside walking trail.

This was one of my favourite parts of this Goyt Valley walk. The trail hugs the river and weaves through beautiful woodland. It was incredibly peaceful and fresh. Ronnie and I were grateful for the break from the sun.

Once the trail leads back onto the road, you want to continue through the quarry, past the car park, and look for a track on your left. This will lead you down to the river and across the bridge, where you’ll ascend the opposite side of the valley.

This part of the hike was fun. We weaved our way through overgrown fern trees and bushes. I was grateful that I wore leggings instead of shorts.

Approaching the southern tip of the reservoir, we were rewarded with more stunning views. With the sun shining, the water was strikingly blue. It’s safe to say I made up for the lack of photos at the beginning.

There’s an interesting part of the trail here that weaves you down into a valley before crossing over a bridge to return on the opposite side. I enjoyed this bit. It was incredibly picturesque.

Once you reach the far end of Errwood Reservoir, you can take a few routes to circle back to the other side. I took the furthest route, which is quite steep, passing along the south bank of Fernilee Reservoir.

Joining the trail that hugs the road, we made our way to this car park, where we would pick up our route back to where we started. This final stretch is arguably the most challenging part of the hike, but the scenery is magnificent.

Make your way to the Errwood Hall ruins, one of the only remnants of the once-affluent Errwood Estate. Pass through enchanting woodland and over fairy tale bridges before making the final push to St Joseph’s shrine.

Hidden amongst the pine trees, the shrine is easy to miss. It is to your left, where a well-trodden path leads down to it. Enjoy a moment of peace and reflection before pushing on to the car park.

Enjoy this Goyt Valley Walk

I hope you enjoy this Goyt Valley Walk as much as we did. If you’re visiting the area soon, you might find some of our Peak District articles helpful.

If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.

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