The county borders of Derbyshire and Cheshire are trod here in this great Peak District walk that bags three of the highest and most distinctive points in the national park.
Axe Edge Moor had always been one of those places that seemed to crop up when scouring the maps for a walk, it had to be done. The nearest town is Buxton, that's quite a journey to travel to just climb one hill. So I drew up a route that would incorporate other high points in the area too, Burbage Edge would be an easy reach, but also not so far away is what would be the highest point of the walk - Shining Tor. From there the route continues on towards neighbouring Cats Tor before heading back into Buxton.
The train journey consisted of travelling to Manchester Piccadilly before changing for the Buxton train. The route from Manchester to Buxton contains some great scenery and takes around an hour.
The train arrived into a wet Buxton (the highest market town in England) at just before mid-day. I headed out of the station and made my way along the busy A53...
This part of the walk consists of a bit of road walking, but there is a pavement for most of the way. Axe Edge Moor is just about visible ahead here...
There seemed to be a classic car event happening somewhere near-by on the day, a whole array of well polished machines were growling by. Here's one of the cars taking on the steep gradient up onto the flanks of Axe Edge Moor...
Cutting right from the road side directly onto the steep moorside now...
Looking back towards Buxton from Axe Edge Moor...
Axe Edge Moor summit Trig Point at 551 metres (1,808 ft)...
Axe Edge Moor is shared between Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, and is the source of some major rivers including the River Dove and the River Wye. There are some great views to take in from the windy summit, one of the most notable points near by is the second-highest pub in England - The Cat and Fiddle Inn. One view I particularly like is another place I must visit in the near future, Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill...
Heading directly across the boggy moor in a westerly direction...
The wild open moorland drops away here to reveal the upcoming highest point of the walk, Shining Tor...
Onto a well walked path now heading downhill towards part of the Cat and Fiddle section of the A537, which you need to cross over...
After crossing the road you come to a section that warns you of exposed mine shafts. The path again however is easy to follow... 
After around a mile the path becomes fainter as you approach Burbage Edge...
Burbage Edge summit Trig Point at 500 metres, with Axe Edge Moor beyond...
Heading south west directly across the moor from the Trig Point towards Shining Tor now...
Back onto a substantial path again here across Goyts Moss...
A small footbridge allows you to cross over the River Goyt after which you climb again up towards a patch of trees known as Stakeside...
Heading into Stakeside...
Looking promising...
A steep climb...
After a particularly steep part of the walk, Shining Tor reveals itself to be yet still further on...
A well maintained path towards the summit...
Shining Tor summit and Trig Point at 559 metres (1,834 ft). The view is impressive from the summit, with the mountains of Snowdonia clearly visible, Jodrell Bank gleaming in the sunshine, Macclesfield, Manchester, Winter Hill, and what I thought was utterly unbelievable is the fact I could faintly make out the Holme Moss Transmitter on Black Hill near Huddersfield! The pointy hill ahead here to the south west is called Shutlingsloe...
A well built path is underfoot now, here heading towards the next high point of the walk - Cats Tor...
Looking from the not so impressive summit cairn of Cats Tor back towards Shining Tor...
Continuing along the path over an area called Old Gate Nick...
Looking north east towards the bulk of Kinder Scout...
The footpath splits on Old Gate Nick just before you reach a small road, I took the right hand route towards Windgather...
A pathway at the side of the road allows you to walk safely...
Axe Edge Moor comes back into view...
Looking back towards Cats Tor and Shining Tor...
The road cuts over Errwood Reservoir...
Back to a bit of road walking now. And after walking downhill pretty much since Shining Tor, it's time to start climbing again - a tough part of the walk after the distance done so far. The sun was beating down at this point too...
Buxton comes back into view...
And finally back to Buxton railway station...
Summing up this was a tough hike, but took in some stunning scenery. It was also nice to return to the Peak District again, especially in May. I will return to Buxton again in the near future hopefully, to visit Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill.
Thanks for reading.
