Cats Tor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cats Tor |
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Paved path to Cats Tor
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 518 metres (1,699 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cheshire, England |
| OS grid | SJ 9948 7590 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL24 |
Cats Tor is a hill in the Peak District area of England. It sits right on the border between Cheshire and Derbyshire. This hill is found between the towns of Macclesfield and Buxton. The very top of Cats Tor is 518 meters (about 1,700 feet) above sea level. The word Tor is an old English word. It means a high, rocky hill.
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Cats Tor and its Surroundings
Cats Tor is part of a long ridge made of a type of rock called gritstone. This ridge is sometimes called The Tors. To the south, about 2 kilometers away, is the even taller peak of Shining Tor. The ridge also stretches north past Windgather Rocks and Taxal Edge, heading towards Whaley Bridge.
On the western side of the ridge, water flows into a stream called Todd Brook. This stream then feeds into Toddbrook Reservoir. If you look east from Cats Tor, you can see great views of the Goyt Valley, Foxlow Edge, and Fernilee Reservoir.
Exploring Cats Tor
The moorland ridge where Cats Tor is located is special. It is called "Open Access" land. This means that people are allowed to walk freely across it. This was made possible by a law called the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
The easiest way to reach Cats Tor is from the Pym Chair car park. From there, a public footpath leads south. This path is made of large stone slabs, making it easy to walk on. It goes right across Cats Tor and continues south along the ridge to Shining Tor.
The Legend of Pym Chair
There are a couple of old stories about Pym Chair. One legend says that a highwayman named Pym used to hide there. He would rob people traveling along the old packhorse route. Another story suggests that Pym was a preacher. He would give sermons (religious talks) to people right there at the chair.
Nature and Wildlife
The open gritstone moorlands around Cats Tor are very important for nature. This area, including Wild Moor, Goyt's Moss, Burbage Edge, and the ridge from Shining Tor to Cats Tor, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its special plants and animals.
Plants of the Moorland
The main plant you'll see here is heather. But the heathland is also home to many other native plants. These include different types of grasses, rushes, and sedges. You can also find shrubs like bilberry, crowberry, cowberry, and cross-leaved heath. Along The Tors ridge, you'll often spot hare’s-tail cottongrass and sphagnum moss.
Birds of the Peak District
This area is a very important place for birds that breed in the uplands. There is a large group of golden plover living here. Other birds you might see include red grouse, curlew, lapwing, whinchat, snipe, twite, ring ouzel, and even the small merlin falcon.
A Piece of History
Cats Tor was the site of a plane crash during World War II. On September 30, 1943, two Republic P-47D Thunderbolt planes crashed there. Both pilots, who were from the USAAF, died in the accident. The planes were on a training flight from RAF Atcham and flew into the hillside in thick cloud during the afternoon.
Fun Activities at Cats Tor
Cats Tor is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It's a favorite place for paragliding. Clubs like the Derbyshire Soaring Club and the Peak Soaring Association use the area.
On the northern slope of Cats Tor, there's a gritstone rock face called Oldgate Nick. This spot is popular for rock climbing. It has 15 different climbing routes, each with its own difficulty level.
