THE WESTERN edge of the Peak District National Park is our destination this week, with a plod along a popular ridge taking in the boggy summits of Shining Tor and Cats Tor.

These moorland tops are pretty featureless in themselves, but provide rewarding views in all directions across the rolling hills and crags of Derbyshire and the rural plain of Cheshire.

The walk is a good introduction to this fascinating area, which is steeped in history and legend. It involves a steady climb to the ridge, then a pleasant downhill plod along quiet country lanes to picturesque Lamaload Reservoir (an ideal picnic spot) on the edge of Macclesfield Forest.

DISTANCE: 5 miles

START: Lamaload Reservoir Car Park (OS Grid Ret 975753). This free car park is located on a minor lane hidden in the hills between Rainow village and the Goyt Valley. Follow the A5002 from Macclesfield towards Whaley Bridge. Leave it on the right approximately half a mile north of Rainow village and follow minor lanes heading east then south. The car park is on the right hand side overlooking the reservoir.

Note: this walk can be very boggy in places.

GO back through the car park entrance and turn right along the lane. Walk with the reservoir on your right and after less than a quarter of a mile, leave the lane on the left at a gate and stile alongside a woodland. The path is signed for Burbage and Shining Tor. Follow the distinct path uphill with the woodland over to the right. Eventually it climbs to reach two stiles. Ignore the one to the left and cross the one straight ahead heading directly uphill. This leads to another stile in a fence and the view has already opened up below looking back towards Manchester.

Cross the second stile and the distinct path bears right and crosses another boundary. The long ridge of Shining Tor can be seen over to the left. Continue along the wall side following it all the way around towards the ridge until another field boundary is reached at a crossroads of paths. Cross the boundary and continue straight ahead taking the direct steep line uphill to reach the ridge path. From here, turn right for the very short walk up to the summit of Shining Tor which offers panoramic views in all directions. After taking a rest, retrace your steps downhill as the ridge path is now followed heading northwards.

The ridge path -- which is boggy in places despite some attempts at laying down a new path surface -- is followed for almost two miles and leads over Cats Tor (which has no distinctive features) to reach a lane. The Goyt Valley hides below the forests over to your right and the trees hide the ruins of Errwood Hall which was abandoned with the building of the two reservoirs in the valley.

On reaching the lane turn left and pass the car park at Pym Chair, a curious site associated with legends of a highwayman. The only direct way back to Lamaload Reservoir from here is to follow the lane (for about 1 miles) -- but it is quiet (except on summer weekends) and it is largely downhill! The lane also takes you past the isolated Jenkin Chapel, erected in 1733. Follow the lane sharp left by the chapel and it drops to a beck then climbs again to a minor junction. Turn right at the junction along the side lane which soon leads back to the reservoir car park on the right.