Pym Chair via Cats Tor up Shining Tor: route map, distance and time
559 m · Lancashire, Cheshire and S Pennines · OS grid SJ994737
Shining Tor is the highest point in Cheshire, a moorland ridge top above the Goyt Valley on the border with Derbyshire.
A flagged path follows the wall along the ridge south over Cats Tor to the trig point.
Pym Chair via Cats Tor at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 122 m |
| Time up | 0h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Pym Chair parking, above the Goyt Valley |
| Start grid reference | SJ 996 767 |
| Summit grid reference | SJ994737 |
Pym Chair via Cats Tor map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Pym Chair via Cats Tor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 06:59, sunset 16:44. Start by 14:19 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:00, sunset 16:42. Start by 14:17 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Shining Tor summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Shining Tor right now. The main Shining Tor page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Shining Tor forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Peak District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Shining Tor
Shining Tor is the highest point in Cheshire, a moorland ridge top above the Goyt Valley on the border with Derbyshire. More about Shining Tor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, county top.
Challenges that include Shining Tor
Other routes up Shining Tor
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Errwood Reservoir | 5.2 km one way | 345 m | 1h 35m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SJ 996 767, the summit at SJ994737), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Pym Chair via Cats Tor: questions and answers
How far is Pym Chair via Cats Tor?
Pym Chair via Cats Tor is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Shining Tor, with 122 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Pym Chair via Cats Tor take?
About 0h 50m to the summit of Shining Tor and 1h 25m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 1h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Pym Chair via Cats Tor?
Pym Chair via Cats Tor starts from Pym Chair parking, above the Goyt Valley. The grid reference is SJ 996 767.
Is Pym Chair via Cats Tor suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Pym Chair via Cats Tor today?
By 14:19 at the latest. Sunset on Shining Tor today is 16:44, Pym Chair via Cats Tor takes about 1h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Pym Chair via Cats Tor?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).