Hollingworth Lake Walk

Today I was out with the walking group and Helen was home with a bad cold.  The plan for the walk was to start from the Car Park on the A58 near the White Horse pub, but due to the snow the road was closed so the leader started the walk from the lake area. The was about 8 miles long and took in many lanes that were blocked with drifted snow.  many of the farms were cut off from the main road.  We encounter 36Mph plus winds and this stopped us going onto Blackstone edge. The wind did make some interesting snow patterns. Overall a good walk.

Darwin Tower Walk

Leading a walk for the local group.  But will have to go back and do this walk as 99% of the day was in fog. The paths were covered in think ice in places. So hard going and did not see anything until the very end where it cleared.

So going to be very basic about this until we do the walk again. Our aim was to go up to Darwin Tower that just had a new roof put onto it.  Got the idea from the news and I did not you could go up it. So we got upto it but it was not a easy climb up the steps. The stone stairwell was covered in ice all the way up. Once up there you not see a thing. From here we picked up the Witton weavers way path that would lead us to Entwistle. Where we found the Strawberry Duck Pub for a nice pint. From here we went round the Turton Entwistle reservoir. Which the path was covered with thick ice. We did have our spikes on but some us did not. Then it was onto Turton moor and back towards the tower. Where the last 1/2 mile it cleared.

Darwin Tower

As i said we will go back and do this walk again as we do think it will be a good walk with good views.

Christmas Eve Walk

Castleshaw Fort

What do you do on Christmas Eve? Go for a walk to get away from the crowds.  Today we met up with Shaun from the DofE. So we met up at Castleshaw c Car park and our aim was to get out for a quick blast and back to the cars. Plus put things to right in the world of DofE for next year for us.

Let say over the boot deep mud.

So the route was easy. Head up onto Standedge from Castleshaw Car Park. Castleshaw being a roman fort. A long the edge to the road and the come back round again to the road further down and then head back to Castleshaw.  Easy but when you chatting away and you know what you are doing. So don’t check the map until you know you should not be going down hill. Yes we did go the wrong way and we changed the route again and it was not long before we changed it again as a path was shut at the dam. In the end we did a figure eight walk and we covered about 7 miles, which is not long but we did it at a fair pace and we were back at the cars for 1.15pm

Hayfield in The Snow

Kinder

Today’s Sunday walk was around Hayfield with the local walking group. A mulled wine walk. Little surprised on waking up to snow, but we set off to a rearrange start point. The roads were bad in some places as there been no early traffic out and we hit one bad patch of ice on a downhill bit. It was fun.

Standage Edge

Today Sunday walk  took us up onto Standage Edge. To practice part off an up and coming walk.

 

We stared at the fox and Hounds pub above Hathersage on A625.  You can park here as long you buy a drink later in the bar. So from here we head north onto Burbage Rocks. Taking the high path. Soon we you come to the road where we had a quick break before heading towards Cowper Stone. This leads up onto Stanage Edge. Where today was a perfect day for the climbers to be out on the rock faces.

When we do the walk we would carry onto High Neb but as we were  late setting off. We took the path/lane down past Buck stone. Stepping out of the way for tthe4x4s that come past.

 We then meet the road and we find that the path that leads down though a wooded area into Hathersage. By now the sun is slowly setting and is throwing a golden light against the landscape.

Into hathesage and a quick look in the Outside shop, but we had to get going as the light was fading. We went up the road to find a lane going of the left which led us up into a wood at the point where the sun was giving its last blast of golden light on the trees.   

We were soon onto Hathersage Moor walking in the moonlight back up to the car.    

Overall a cracking days walking in great weather.                                                                

Kinder walk

KInder

Today we were out with waking group on kinder scout.  We started from the quarry car park. Which was the start of the  mass trespass.  We followed the paths up towards Kinder low End. Following this around to the right to Edale Cross. We then headed up onto Swine's  Back.  Where we had fine views down the Edale valley.

Looking down into Edale Valley

We then followed the path east along the edge towards Pyms Chair Rocks. From here we headed on the moor towards Kinder Downfall.  So we would enter the falls along the river. On arriving we were met with fine spray of water. Which was blowen being back from the fall. As normal it was busy around the fall.  But soon were on the way due to the cold wind.

From here we went north towards Ashop hill to take the path down cross over the junction of paths at William Clough. We was carrying on towards Mill Hill to look at the aircract weck.



We then headed sw towards the white shooting lodge. By now the sunn was bathing Kinder in a warm orange glow as the sun was going down. Soon we headed down towards kinder res before heading the short distance to the car parks.

Looking Back Towards Kinder. In the setting sun

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.

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.

Mam Tor

Looking along the ridge towards Mam Tor

Today we did a walk of about 12.7 miles. Mainly to get some miles in before Skye Trail walk. So idea was to set of from Hope and head on the ridge. But as it was late when we set off. We parked at Mam Tor carpark.  leaving mam tor to the last. Our route took us south to join the limestone way down past Peveil Castle into Castleton. On the way down you could here the air coming out of the.many caves below you.

Castleton home of the Blue John mines was a busy with day tripers.  Yha hostel had a planning notic up about change of use. It was looking in a bad way. Little run down on the outside Quick look in the outdoor shops, but nothing to stop you.
Soon we back on the track to head north ip onto Hollins Cross where we turned left along the ridge to Lose Hill.  Every one was out and we saw the same people that passed us on the Limestone Way.
We now had to head south and down hill and find the travk that would take us to Jaggers Clough.
Just before we head up we turn back up along a track as time was a agaist us.
We soon came to Nether Booth and a long the road to a  track that would lead us back to Hollins Cross again where we furn right towards Mam Tor. Our final hill. By now all the day walkers.had gone home and we had the hill to ourselves. 
Then  short stoll to the car.  Our legs were sore but we feltwe did  a good walk.