Whaley Bridge

 Windgather Rocks

29th July 2026

 

Whaley Bridge, Horwich End, Shallcross Hall Farm, Taxal, Windgather Rocks, Pyms Chair, Dunge Farm, Kettlehulme, Toddbook Reservoir.

Distance: 11.6 miles

Difficulty: occasional/frequent steep climbs

Weather: Overcast sometimes sunny but always warm

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Mark Enright, Stuart Kitchen, Greg Owens

Leader: Mark Enright, Diarist : Mike Cassini

Starting Point: Tom Crofts car park

Starting Time: 9:40 Finishing time : 2;45

 

This is a well established Wednesday Walk but just for fun we added a few miles prior to moving directly to Taxal to climb to Windgather Rocks. Mark had graciously agreed to lead this week and had a downloaded map, which initially caused confusion as we attempted to leave Whaley Bridge. But we had the unexpected bonus of passing Shallcross Farm, which has now been converted into rather nice holiday lets.

Once we regained the route towards Windgather this was not an indication of our fortune changing. Firstly, as time was running away with us, we decided at about 13:45 to have a drink at the Swan at Kettlehume, only to find the pub closed when on numerous previous occasions it has been open on Wednesday afternoon.

Having dealt with this setback, at Toddbrook Reservoir we found ourselves locked out of civilisation, as ongoing construction on the dam meant no access through to the town . By slipping through a gap in the fence onto the building site we managed to overcome this setback despite the protests of the female security telling us we could not go onsite and the police would be called.

Traumatised, we headed for the nearest decent pub, which Mark suggested was the White Hart. Here, we took refreshment to relax from the rigours of the trip.

Next week we meet at 9:40 am in New Mills Leisure centre SK22 4BP for a leisurely stroll to the Roman Lakes and back along the Peak Forest canal for a meet between 1-1:30 at the Masons Arms.

Happy Wandering!