Matley Moor [Knarrs]

About Matley Moor [Knarrs]

Rising above the quiet hamlet of Back Rowarth, this gritstone-topped Tump offers a wilder feel than its modest height suggests. Characterised by rough grazing and weathered moorland, it provides a sense of isolation on the Peak’s western fringe. It is a sturdy, less-trodden vantage point compared to the nearby, busier plateaus.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Knarrs' likely derives from the Middle English word knarre, referring to a rugged, rocky outcrop or crag—a fitting description for the weathered gritstone that defines this edge of the moor.
• •The summit provides a clear line of sight across the Goyt Valley to the hulking mass of Kinder Scout, while the urban sprawl of Greater Manchester is visible to the west beyond the nearby Lantern Pike.
• •Walkers often visit the hill as part of a circuit including Cown Edge, a dramatic gritstone escarpment located a short distance to the south which features evidence of ancient landslips.
• •Despite being a designated Tump, the moor feels remarkably remote, serving as a peaceful buffer between the industrial history of New Mills and the high wilderness of the Dark Peak.
• •It is the kind of summit where the local livestock seem genuinely surprised to see you, having likely spent the morning enjoying the Manchester skyline in undisturbed peace.