Whatstandwell to Riber Castle

Date: 2013-04-14

From: Whatstandwell

Region: Derbyshire Peak District

Walk :  Circular

 & OS Sheet: OL 24

Start Grid: SK 332 545

Distance: 9.3 ml, 16.1 km 

Height Gain: 1420 ft, 146m

Height Lost: 1420 ft,198 m

Walking with: Mrs G & Andy

Notes: Canal path, field and woodland paths. farm tracks and minor roads, muddy in parts.

Route

These notes are provided to enable the walk to be plotted on a 1:25,000 map.

From Whatstandwell Bridge, follow tow path N to High Peak Junction. Cross canal to road to Lea Bridge. Take track towards Splash Farm, at back of Mills, footpath L through Coumbs Wood to Hearthstone Lane. At Hearthstone Farm footpath R to Riber, NE through village to track and footpath E to join Carr Lane , E to junction, R on road to Wood, R footpath to Dethick, footpath SE to Lea, footpath SE across High Lane to Wakebridge Farm, cross road, through woodland to Canal and Whatstandwell.

Journey

This walk is one of Andy’s favourite old standbys. For the first one of the year it was not the easiest of walks or the nicest of weather.

This section of canal is getting a bit too familiar we've been along it too often of late. However, changes are planned, to the canal, not our walking, a new surface has been laid to the towpath and a great deal of tree felling and lopping, along with the clearing of undergrowth along the banks all a real improvement. In addition sections of the canal have been cleared of weed plus some of the culvert and weirs have been repaired. Hopefully, this much overdue maintenance and improvement work will continue to the benefit of all users.

There were quite a number of people out at High Peak Junction with the sunshine giving it a pleasant atmosphere. At Lea Bridge we passed the back of Smedleys Mills and started the long climb through Coumbs Wood and Hearthstone Lane. Here that slight felling of Spring we had felt along the canal rapidly disappeared as we trudged through the grey lifeless trees with little in the way spring like growth anywhere. In fact up by Bilberry Knoll we stomped delightedly through 9 inch deep snow banks.

By the time we got to Riber the sun had gone and a very stiff cold wind was blowing, with occasional rainy and sleety bits . There was little in the way of views and everywhere had that dark locked up look, so we moved swiftly on into the teeth of a howling wind (slight exaggeration), in the direction of Dethick. The fields, which were largely, empty although we did pass a couple of fields full of sheep and their lambs. 

We whipped around by Dethick Church and using the tower of Crich Stand as our aiming mark down to Lea, crossing the lovely little valley and river to get there. Lea and Wakebridge came and went and we were soon back in the car, then up the A610 to The Excavator, for a very good, well priced roast dinner and a beer.

On the day this felt a tough walk, the lack of fitness and strong cold wind certainly took a bit of pleasure out of the walk. On another day I could see this walk being enjoyable and I would like to explore some of the alternate routes in the area

 

Ambergate to Crich Stand

Date: 2012-09-23

From: Ambergate

Region: Peak District

Walk :  Circular

OS Sheet: Explorer OL24

Start Grid: SK 349 515

Distance: 7.3 ml, 11.7 km 

Height Gain:955 ft, 291m

Height Lost: 955 ft, 291 m

Walking with: Andy, Mrs G and Katie

Notes: Mainly on canal towpath and good tracks, some fields and roads fairly long climb and descent, a few stiles and gates, muddy in parts.

Route

These notes are provided to enable the walk to be plotted on a 1:25,000 map.

From Ambergate Station car park walk down the approach road, turn left under the bridge to  A6, turn right N. Take footpath on the right up on to the canal towpath N. At second bridge cross over on to track passing Thurlowbooth Farm and turn right on footpath NE to Chase Cliffe. By Chasecliffe Farm take footpath to Crich then through housing estate towards Crich Church. Follow signs for the Tramway Museum. At junction turn right and take track on left to Sherwood Foresters War Memorial. Take the path N to Wakebridge Farm and S to the road, cross down to another road, cross down to the Canal, follow the towpath S back to Ambergate.

Journey

This was not the walk we had planned, unfortunately due to external problems, plans had to be changed and a last minute decision made to do this walk again. As we only decided as we were driving out of Long Eaton we hadn't checked maps or plotted a route. Although done the same walk last October we soon found ourselves on different route up to Crich. It was just as steep though.

View to North East

Crich

On the way up w had kept Mrs G going by telling her about about the super tea room in Crich we’d stopped last year. Unfortunately it was closed, as was the one at the Memorial. Mrs G was not impressed.

Mercian Regimental War Memorial

The Memorial, its position, its surroundings and the views, the way it is kept and what it stands for worked its moving magic on us and a few quiet moments were spent

Tram Arriving

Stopping for lunch at the end of the tramway line we were entertained by a variety of trams arriving, from Crich Tramway Museum, changing around the conductor pole and all the seats then trundling back to the Museum.

Walking along canal, through leafy woodland, out on to open hilltop and back helped to dispel or at least reduced the range and depth of the recent problems as did the opportunity to discuss some of them.

Bridge over Canal, Whatstandwell

The therapeutic effect of walking and talking with friends in such wonderful settings as these keeps us walking.

Totley to Grindleford

Date: 2012-09-01

From: Grindleford Station

Region: Peak District

Walk :  Linear

OS Sheet: Explorer OL24

 + a couple of prints from Bing OS maps (or other system)

Start Grid: SK 251 787

Distance: 10.3 ml, 16.6 km 

Height Gain: 1553 ft, 473 m

Height Lost: 1400 ft, 327 m 

Walking with: Andy

Notes: A 11 minute train journey followed by a 4 to 5 hour walk back over very variable terrain including plush golf courses, farm land, housing estate, a cricket pitch, boggy moorland and park land.

Route

These notes are provided to enable the walk to be plotted on a 1:25,000 map.

Park at Gindleford Station, catch the Sheffield bound train getting off at the first station, Totley and Dore. Walk out onto the A621, turn left, turn left at first road junction, uphill, take second footpath on left on to the Golf Course NE to junction, turn right SSE along track to Old Park Wood and into the housing estate turn right to B6054.  Footpath opposite on to the Golf Course, take path on right to Barnes Farm and join the Sheffield Country Walk. Follow this Walk W to the Fox House Inn on the A6187, above Grindleford. At the junction with the A625 enter the Longshaw Estate, follow footpaths SW around the lake and down to Grindleford Station.

Journey

This walk evolved out of an attempt to find new walks or at least walks which were largely new. The Peaks are a large area but having walked here for many years we are finding that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to put together a walk using paths we’ve not used many times.

 I was scrolling around my 1:50k digital map looking, in vain,to plan a new or at least a bit different route from Hope Station to Grindleford Station when I noticed the Longshaw Estate, then further east, the markings for a long distance path swinging west and north across Totley Moor. This was the Sheffield Country Walk, then having located Totley Station and played with a few route options, a 10 mile walk was plotted.

Unfortunately the first 2 miles are not on the White Peak map (OL24) and being too tight to buy the adjacent 1:25k maps, I used Bing mapping and printed off three sections around Totley to complement the 1:50k I use for the route. I usually keep the 25k map handy for backup.

Rose Hips

Dore & Totley GC

The first half of the walk is a mixed bag of golf courses, farm land and woodland interspersed with small areas of suburban housing. Navigation was a little fraught at times, especially when juggling between the 1:50k and the Bing prints. Signs hidden in undergrowth and signs missing all added to the mix, however we only had to backtrack twice and then only by about 30 metres, which is about par on most of our walks. This half of the walk was fairly typical of the sections that you come across on a long distance walk where a city, its approaches and suburbs need to be negotiated, in fact it was a far better that some of these I’ve walked, it was a good enjoyable walk.

Sheep near Mickley

From the A621 at Totley the route wriggles north then west across Needham’s Dike, up to the Cricket Pub, around the cricket pitch and along a road/track which almost follows the route of Totley Tunnel up on to Totley Moor. Look out for the Air Shafts.

From Totley Moor Looking East

The walk across the moorland and down to Fox House Inn was great, if a little boggy and flood damaged. It was a joy to be up in this wide open empty landscape strolling along in the sun and warm breeze, taking in the fresh air and the views.

Burbage Edge From Totley Moor

Higger Tor from Longshaw

Longshaw Lake

Andy had not been to Longshaw before and I only once, when orienteering, so it was a super surprise to both of us what a lovely place it is. The mixture of moor, wood, farm and park we saw was beautiful and well kept. Clearly this is a place we will visit again as well as bringing the family here to see the grounds, the house and other attractions we only glimpsed.

Path down to Grindleford

Black Rock, Harboro Rocks, Via Gellia, Middleton

Date: 2012-08-18

From: Black Rock, South of Cromford

Region: Peak District

Walk :  Circular

OS Sheet: Explorer OL24

Start Grid: SK 291 557

Distance: 9.7 ml, 15.6 km 

Height Gain: 1745 ft, 332 m

Height Lost: 1745 ft, 332 m

Walking with: Andy

Notes:  Between Black Rock and Harboro Rocks the walk is along a well paved track. After that it’s on open hills, farm tracks, fields and woodland. Some of the paths are steep and slippery. Loads of stiles etc.

Route

These notes are provided to enable the walk to be plotted on a 1:25,000 map.

From the car park (Pay and Display) follow the High Peak Trail/Midshires Way to the works buildings below Harboro Rocks turn right, North East to New Harboro Farm and North on the Bridleway. Where that meets the Limestone Way, fork right down to the A5012, cross over and up the path to Beeches Farm. Turn right through Ible then turn left Eastwards onto the Limestone Way. Turn right onto path leading to down to Slaley, through the village take the road fork right, turn right onto footpath down to the A5012 turn left to Via Gellia Mill, cross the river at the Mill pond and take the footpath up to Groaning Tor. Follow the track into Middleton. Turn left along the first road then just short of the B5023 turn left onto road/track continue Eastwards to Black Rock.

Journey

When we finished this walk we both felt knackered and what’s worse we were surprised we were so tired.

It is not a long walk, we’ve both done longer walks recently. The walk itself was fine, we’d had a couple of navigational faffs along the way, nothing spectacular.

1 in 8.25 slope up to Middleton Top 

When we started out The High Peak Trail was busy with walkers and cyclists as usual. Several we spoke with expressed doubts about the weather. This was understandable given that the forecast predicted bits of everything and anything at almost any time, anywhere. Meeting a group of a dozen or more walkers dressed in boots, gaiters, full waterproofs, fleeces, scarfs and bobble hats did not inspire our hope for good weather for the rest of the year, let alone the day.

Turning to go over the top of Harboro Rocks seemed like a good idea, or at least a better one than continuing along the High Peak Trail for a mile and a half to join the Limestone Way. Unfortunately it’s one of those areas that are covered in tracks formed by cattle and/or climbers (no slights or comparisons intended in this sentence). As a result we followed the most distinct path which took us a bit further North and West than we intended before we spotted that the Trig Pillar wasn’t where it should be. A quick orientation “discussion” and a curve to the right got us back on course.

Cimbers on Harboro Rocks

As is common in the Peaks as soon as you get of the main or popular track you scarcely meet a sole. Indeed between Harboro Rocks and the end of the walk we didn’t see or meet another walker or cyclist.  

Prospect Quarry

Path up to Ible

The paths down to the Via Gellia and back up to the fields behind Beeches Farm were quite steep and in places slippery, even so it was a lovely walk. The path from Ible to Slaley led us through a series of small fields bound by stone walling, with a slightly different style of stiles at each crossing. Most were squeeze stiles (where you step between two vertical stones set about 9 inches apart) some of which were fitted with spring loaded small wooden gates. Normally these are not a problem.

What a dry stone should not look like

However, between the Limestone Way and Slaley we came across some band new recently fitted gates with really strong, vicious, stupid, dammed springs. As a result when you get to one, and if you’re a bit large or are wearing a rucksack, they are a pain. Should the gate be in your field you must hold the gate open, backwards, step through, easing the rucksack etc. up, keeping the gate open with one hand until you get to the point when you can no longer hold gate openand it slams shut smacking you on the backside and propelling you across the next field.

If the gate is in the next field and particularly if there a step down into the field, you hold the gate open and inevitable you have to rotate your body on the leg that is in the next field to move the rest of the body through, at which point you can no longer hold the gate and thumps to, trapping you in a vice like grip with your googlies squashed against the vertical rock edge.

From Slaley the path narrows and drops steeply through woodland down to the Via Gellia.  The maps show a path opposite going up the far side to Groaning Tor, we looked around but it was all overgrown and we couldn’t find a route we felt confident in following. So we walked down the road to the Via Gellia Mill, crossed the head of the mill pond and worked our way through more woodland up to the Tor.

Via Gellia Mill and Mill Pond

Discussing the day in the Sun Inn at Middleton, we reckoned it was a great walk and that the tiredness was probably a result of the steepness and especially the slipperiness of the surfaces on the Via Gellia paths. Also we had only had one stop, for lunch, and then only for twenty minutes.

  

We have to get fitter as the flights are booked and we are awaiting the final details of our walk along the GR221 across the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, in October.

Hope & Ladybower Reservoir

Date: 2012-06-04

From: Hope

Region: Peak District

Walk :  Circular

OS Sheet: Explorer OL1

Parking at: On street in Hope

Grid: SK 691 835

Distance: (Planned) 9.3 mls, 14.9 km 

Distance: (Actual) 9.9 mls, 15.9 km 

Height Gain: (Planned) 1410 ft, 430m

Height Gain: (Actual) 1715 ft, 523 m
Walking With: Andy

Route

These notes are provided to enable the walk to be plotted on a 1:25,000 map.

Almost opposite the car park and toilets in Hope take the footpath North through the housing and past the school. Turn right behind the school heading across the Edale Road, under the railway line and up to Fullwood Stile Farm. Follow the road, then track (Roman Road) to Hope Cross. Proceed on to the cross tracks, turn right heading down in the direction of Hagglee Ford. Pick up the track heading SE along the reservoir all the way to the Dam.

At this point our plan was to go on to Yorkshire Bridge and follow the paths across the fields south of Aston via Hallum Barn and on to Hope. Somehow we turned right up Parkin Clough,  turning South at the first footpath towards Thornhill Carrs then downhill to Aston Hall, by road to Hallum Barm and across the fields to Hope.

April & May, Lost Months

It had been fairly easy to accept the idea of redundancy and taking early retirement which was ‘offered’ to me in November last year, effective from 31 March . I anticipated lots of free time and being able to go walking when I wanted to. Naturally it didn’t work out that way, we never really expected it would, and  April and May has just flown by without a proper walk, other than a few short local strolls and the obligatory dog walking.

The main set back was that with redundancy my company lease car finished and we realised that from now on we would have to make do with only the one car. As Mrs G is likely to be working for a few more years yet it was only natural that she should use it for getting to and from work.

Then I spent hours trying to sort out Mortgages, Pensions, Insurances, bank and credit card accounts along with a dozen other things, each of which required multiple phone calls, emails and letters. The weather was crap week after week. Then there was the decorating that had been waiting months, in some cases years, for me to finish and of course there was new decorating to do, plus the gardening.

We bought a second hand caravan from a reputable dealer, who total failed to carry out the promised ‘extensive’ pre delivery checks resulting in two visits back for works and the loss of the van for three weeks

On the upside I have rediscovered public transport, and we have worked out a form of car sharing. Contrary to earlier expectations I feel that my walking will be more limited, but time will tell. However, I have am in the process of planning a number of solo mid-week walks based on the various bus routes from Loughborough, which will be interesting!, especially if I get my timing wrong.

Also with the caravan we hope to be able to get away for holidays and weekends and walk in more far flung places. In addition Andy and I are planning a few multi day (possibly backpacking) walks including in October a walk across Mallorca (carrying all necessary kit but not backpacking), which will be fun.

Journey

So 0830 Monday 4^th June Andy and I were bombing up the M1 on the way to Hope. The morning was chilly and overcast although the forecast had sounded quite good it looked for quite a while as if it could go either way. We stopped at Morrison’s in Chesterfield for food, top service and sarnies.

Then dropping down towards Baslow we got stuck behind convoy of ‘them’, 10mph less than the limit regardless of quiet roads, flinch and brakes at each oncoming car, curve or warning sign etc. all the way to Hope, thank god we weren’t going to Edale.

Big signs in Hope proclaiming Beer Festival but against all expectation we were able to park on road only a few yards beyond the Car Park, great.

With mountain bikers getting sorted out and several groups of walkers getting kitted up the place was pretty busy. Within a few yards of stepping off the Castleton Road and into the housing beyond we were walking through a quiet  field, surrounded by houses,  but occupied by a couple of sheep and some very free range chickens clucking about. 

Once across the Edale Road and under the railway line it’s about three solid miles of uphill walking with views up the Edale Valley and the hills that define it opening up all the way. We’ve done various versions (some longer) of this walk before and I certainly feel that it is one of the top ten walks in the Peak District. Walking up to Hope Cross from Hope makes a wonderful start for this route and the alternatives that lead from it. As we climbed, we stopped to take photographs and occasionally to watch the trains running to and from Manchester, Norwich or Skegness.

Gradually we overhauled a bunch of DOE’s who were on the third day of their Silver practice, and despite being cold and wet on the previous days they were in good spirits, but looking forward to the minibus, even if they weren’t entirely sure where they were going to meet it.

Dropping down through the thick woodland down to where the River Ashop runs into the Ladybower is great, if a little rough going at times.

Reaching the valley bottom and turning south following the track undulating and meandering above the river/reservoir you get terrific views down the valley, with the rocky top of Crook Hill, the woodlands and the water and eventually the viaducts carrying the A57 and the A6013.

As we headed east we met many more walkers and cyclists, plus the occasional fisherman. We also met several families walking and cycling which was nice it see. At the start of the uphill section opposite Crook Hill we were stopped by a young Asian couple asking how much further was it to the Derwent Dam. We explained that unfortunately they were on the wrong side of the wrong reservoir, showing them on our maps, they had none, so we advised that they head back to their coach at the Ladybower Dam. Last seen they were still heading west.

For information on the Ladybower and Derwent Dams and their history see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybower_Reservoir  http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/visits/derwentdams.php

At the dam we stopped to take photos and look at the road, we know well, that climbs across the face of the hillside opposite, bending around the end of Bamford Edge and on up almost to Stanage Edge.The photo below is a tarted up image of the reservoir overspill  pipe, west side. 

We had intended to follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Way and swing west beneath Aston and on to Hope. Unfortunately, we branched right far too soon along a pleasant forest path which suddenly transformed into the near vertical rocky, slippery, tree root ridden, hell path that is Parkin Clough. I have been down it three times in the past and swore never to do so again and never to go up it. Now I have, I promise I will not again.

Once we got our breath back and the sweat cooled the walk across to Thornhill Carrs and down to Aston Hall was beautiful and the question of who made the mistake that lead to Parkin Clough was soon dropped!.

Back in Hope the Beer Festival was in full swing so we dropped our kit in the car and drove up to the Cheshire Cheese Inn (http://www.thecheshirecheeseinn.co.uk/) for a well-deserved pint and a chat with locals and some other visitors. A super walk, very much enjoyed. I’ve promised to take Mrs G on this walk, one day.

Robin Hood and the Edges

Date: 2012-03-31

Region: Peak District

From: on A619 2mls East of Baslow

Walk: Circular

OS Sheet: Outdoor Leisure OL24

Parking at: Car Park by Robin Hood PH

Grid: 281 721

Distance:  10 mls  16.4 km

Height Gain: 1670 ft  509 m

Height Loss: 1670 ft  509 m

Walking With: Mrs G, Andy & Katie

Notes: Mainly on good paths, 5 road crossings, a few stiles and gates

Route

From the Robin Hood PH  walk down the A619 to footpath on right passing below Moorside Farm and Gardoms Edge to A621. Cross and take path through the woodland over Bar Brook and uphill to reach Wellingtons Monument. Head NW along Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt Edges.

On reaching the A625 cross over down to the woodland by the car park, take the path on right across the fields to the Grouse Inn. Cross the A625 again and up the path on to White Edge. Follow the edge to its end and head SE to the distant cross roads. Cross the A621 and follow the well trod route across the open land to a path running below Birchen Edge and back to the car park.

Journey

Walking along the Edges Baslow, Curbar Froggatt, is always a pleasure, the views are wonderful, the air is fresh, the changes of light and the movement of clouds can be intoxicating. Watching and listening to the climbers adds another dimension, different, but entertaining.

The Edges can become overcrowded at times with all sorts of runners, walkers and cyclists heading either North or South. Thankfully on Saturday things were fairly quiet

I can well remember, back in the 1970’s and 80’s walking from Curbar Gap car park along to The Haywood then plunging downhill to the Derwent, taking a gentle stroll by the river followed by a lung busting, leg seizing climb from Calver back to the car.

As a result it was not until about 2003, when I was introduced to White Edge, that I did my first really enjoyable walk along the Edges. Since then we’ve extended the walk by starting at The Robin Hood and coming back via  Birchen  Edge (above or below).

On Saturday we left home late but were lucky to get a parking space. By the time we got sorted out and dealt with the dogs (Katie) vomit it was nearly eleven before we set off along the A619 towards Baslow.

I love walking through wooded areas and birch woods in particular. The path passing below Gardom’s Edge was lovely with the silver of the trees, largely still in bud, the bright green grass and the grey of the rocks, some daffs and peeking through a smudge of pink blossom.

The old bridge over Bar Brook, with the high concrete bridge above, the brook, rocks flowers and shrubs below makes for a short break before slogging up through the woods to Wellington’s Monument. It was good to see that Chatsworth House is no longer ‘under wraps’ even though the dull light and the mist inhibited getting a clear photo of the house.

Very disappointed no ice cream van at Curbar Gap.

Looking to the west the we had  a stab at picking out some of the salient hills and places such as Stanton Moor, Longstone Edge, Calver, Stony Middleton, Sir William Hill,  Abney Moor, Win Hill Lose Hill and Kinder.

There are some new, well at least I’ve not seen them before, inhabitant’s on the moors, a herd of Longhorn (possibly Highland) cattle (negligently I didn’t have my ‘Observers Book of Cattle’ with me. They are very docile I took a dozen photos of them some as close as a couple of feet away. The ‘blonde’ one was heavily  in calf.

Even more disappointed no ice cream van at Haywood Car Park or on the road. It was a bit chilly. Had lunch sitting on some convenient rocks in Haywood before pushing on, past the Grouse Inn and up onto White Edge. Although many of the views south and west are the similar to those on the way up White Edge feels a whole lot wilder, more exposed, more ‘edgy’!

We zipped down to the cross roads on the A621, heading for the low side of Birchen Edge. Usually the first 800 to 1000m of the path here is wet, to say the least, as can be seen from the width of the walked area. Now it was almost dry, a clear result of the lack of prolonged rain in the last year. Unfortunately if the dry weather continues it is probable that many of the moors will be closed due to or to prevent grass fires.

Had a great couple of pints in the Robin Hood.