Sunday Walk Around Wetton

Today we were leading the walk for our local walking group.  About 11.5 miles in total and so not to hard. First part was flat and with small hills later on.

Inside Thor Cave

We started at a place called Hulme End, which is south west of Hartington in the Peak District.  We walked south along the Manifold Valley path, which is an old railway line route with steep sides. Onto Wetton Mill and soon you can see Thor cave high up on the hillside.  By now the morning mist is clearing for us. The path leads off to Wetton with a small path that leads up to Thor cave.  A nice pull up to get the heart beating.  You had to be careful with the path due to the wet mud and leaves.  

Soon we reached the top and the entrance is busy with people going into the cave.  Once inside it’s a vast chamber, but under foot is like walking on ice. Coming back out is even harder to get a good grip.

Thor Cave

Getting Inside Thor Cave

So we retrace our steps and back down on the trail. From here we head a few miles to a small hamlet of Hopedale.  Where we found a lovely pub The Wattts Russell Arms. Serves good food and real ales. Two hand pumps on from Thornbridge today. We all enjoyed a nice pint in the sunshine.

From here it was to head north again follow mix of paths and tracks across farmland to Ecton Hill twig point.  High point of the day with 360 fine views we had. Cracking views with last of the sun. Then it was down hill to pick the manifold path back to Hulme End.

DofE Leader Training. Dovestones Greenfield

 DofE Training

Today Sunday walk was a DofE Leader get together/Training day. Our walk was going to be around the Dovestones area of Saddleworth. As we teach the youngest at DofE. Always make sure you have packed the map. Did that but the white peak.  But we knew the area.

Five us set with low cloud looming in the hills. We followed the west side path of Dovestones towards Yeomans Hey reservoir and then on to Green Field reservoir.



What a Place to loose your bone



From here we follow Greenfield Brook to where we have a spilt. We are going to take the right split up Birchen Clough. So this is where the fun starts. With the heavy rain during the day before and though the night. The brook is now a raging brook of brown water. What in the summer you can jump on the stones or paddle across in inch water. Is now a foot of more fast flowing river. The grit stone rocks have lost the grip. So with a lot of up and down the brook looking for a spot to across. At one point it did look, as we have to turn back. But we found a spot to across with helping hands and poles. Team building.

Then we were on the right side to head up the Birchen Clough, puling our selves up the small rock out crops.  Further on we had a lunch as it broaden out. Then it started to rain.  From here we headed onto the top so we could find the path that went round the edge. In time we came across the memorial cross. Something to do with a gamekeeper shooting a walker.

 

Church Inn Saddleworth

Now we headed south to follow the path marked on the map to Chew valley res and then head back down the service road to Dovestones. |Firstly the path was good and then totally gone.  So gps and bearings we had to use. With a little training from Alan on pacing.

Soon we were back down. Cold and wet.  Then in the Church in Pub for some hot food and beer.

Walk was about 7 ¾   miles.  


 

Sunday Walk Hollingworthhall Moor

After the couple of days indain summer weather. Today we woke up to cloud but still warm.  So do we make our own walk up. Or go on the group walk. (walking group where we are members).  Group walk as it was not to far and we had a busy Saturday.

9 1/2 miles around Hollingworth hall Moor area.   Walk was mainly on moorland tracks with a couple of easy hills  to do.   We pass 3 reservoirs on route with a pub near the end.  No photos taken. Just a nice walk to scetch the legs.