Peak District - Kinder Scout - Blackden Edge

Having looked at my Dark Peak Combi Map on http://www.shareyouradventure.com I decided I needed to fill in the last remaining space on Kinder Scout, it was the final piece in the jigsaw to make that area of the Peak District look explored. I have walked this way a handful of times in the past but it has been over a year. The last time I walked to this point was when I camped on the eastern edge of Kinder, so I thought it was high time I returned.



We set off at 10am from the Birchin Clough car park on the snake road and headed over to Lady Clough Forest. Lady Clough forest is quickly becoming a new favourite area in the Peak District for both myself and my friend Andy who was with me today. We followed the river down stream to the point where it joins Ashop River and then walked eastward. We followed the rough path along the banks of the river down towards the bridge at OSGB Grid reference SK 1142 9015.



After crossing the bridge over the river Ashop we then had to cross Fairbrook to enable us to pick up the path that rises to Seal Stones. We walked through the sheep pens and then began the rather steep and unrelenting climb of approximately 300metres of accent up to Seal Stones at SK 1137 8886. It's rather a slog and it get pretty steep towards the end. Not a problem really as Andy and I chatted the whole way up so it was over in a short space of time.





When we arrived at Seal Stones we were at the base of the clouds, We picked our way eastward along the edge of the plateau around to the top of Blackden Brook. The cloud had begun to break at this point and the sun was shinning down on the hills across the Ashop valley and beyond.

The going was good today along Blackden Edge and after negotiating a few boggy patches we arrived at a rock formation near madwoman's Stone at grid reference SK 1390 8807. We decided it would be a great place to stop for lunch and admire the views while sheltering from the wind. I begun to survey the surrounding area towards the east and it suddenly dawned on me...

In the last 8 months I had climbed to the top of every Hill, walked along every edge and meandered through every valley that I could see. Towards the north I had walked on Bleaklow, then looking clockwise I had stood atop Margery Hill and walked the entire length of the Derwent Edge. I had walked along Stanage and Bamford Edges. I remembered the day I walked the Edale Skyline route and finished upon Win Hill after starting at Loose Hill. I had left no feature unchecked from my list of Peak District achievements. It was at that moment that moment the idea of http://www.PeakRoutes.com took shape. I knew it was high time that I set up a website where I could share all my Peak District routes and experiences... Yes... I already do that on http://www.DeanRead.net but I wanted to create a site that was 100% dedicated to my love of the Peak, it would be my launch pad to promote the joys I have had from walking here. Peak Routes was born :-)





After our short break for lunch we left the Kinder Plateau and headed down towards Hope Cross, we joined the old Roman Road and headed north west down into the valley. We crossed the ford at SK 1407 8944 and just about managed to keep our feet dry. I'm sure there must have been a bridge over the water here at some point but sadly there isn't anymore, after periods of heavy rain you would struggle to find a way across the river at this point.





We crossed the road and carried on along the Roman Road. The going was good as we climbed out of the valley away from Hayridge farm that sits at the mouth of Alport Valley. The views were great along this stretch, back across the valley towards Blackden Edge and Blackden Brook. The Old Roman Road is pretty rough from here onwards. Andy and I spoke about how fascinating it would be to be able to turn back the clock and watch the Roman Army march across the valley. The road keeps rising up and up out of the valley until you eventually begin the descent towards Oyster Clough at SK 1195 9050. A quick hope step and jump over the river then you begin the sharp but short climb up towards the Forest. We stopped once again for a quick break and then continued along across the top edge of the Forest. You eventually begin to descend into the pines and there looks to have been some recent logging work here. Large trees have been removed from the clearing and small saplings have begun to grow in their wake. I had never been in this section of the forest before so it was another first for me today. The path rises and falls as you pass above the Snake Inn, it then descends all the way down to the road. We stuck to the path instead of walking along the road and reached the car park at Birchin Clough.

listen to ‘Peak District - Kinder Scout - Northern Edge Part 2’ on Audioboo

Another fantastic route which we really enjoyed. The northern edge of Kinder Scout never fails to impress no matter what the weather. Today had been a stark contrast to the conditions we had enjoyed the last time we were here. the cold bite of Winter made way for the mild feel of spring today, it really does feel like winter has gone for another year and the days are gradually drawing out again. Thanks for reading and I will have another blog post for you this time next week when I tackle another new route in the Peak District.

Peak District - Howden, Bleaklow & Alport

After my windy walk with Andy last week ("Peak District – Ladybower & Alport Dale") I decided it was high time for another Peak District outing. There has been rather a drought when it comes to walking of late, what with one thing and another I just haven't had the time to head out. I feel as though I have made up for it today though with a good route and some fantastic views thrown in, so without further ado here is my summary of where I headed and what I got up to.

Peak District - Ladybower Loop

The weather looked promising, I felt full of energy, my batteries (iPhone & Body) were charged & I had been planning this particular route in my head for months. Nothing too strenuous but it does take in some of the Peak Districts greatest sights. The start/end point for this little wander is at Ashopton Viaduct at Ladybower and the first port of call is Crook Hill, It’s a simple little walk up from the banks of Ladybower via Crook Hill Farm. You then join the path across Bridge-End Pasture which heads via a bridleway to Lockerbrook Heights.

The next part of the walk is fantastic, the route over Rowlee Pasture to the tops above Alport Dale. There are plenty of great wildcamping spots along here so I will definitely be returning with my tent at some point in the not too distant future. You then make your way along the eastern edge of Alport Dale where you come to a great view-point at SK142917 (Lat 53.42086, Long -1.78898), you can look back southward to the Alport Castle Rocks and you also have fantastic view of Kinder Scout and Win Hill in the distance. It was at this point where I decided to take a short break and eat some lunch while enjoying the view.

The next part of the walk takes you north-east and back down to Howden Reservoir. Today the heather was a magnificent shade of purple as far as the eye could see, the Grouse were running around and I hadn’t seen a soul in hours. It felt great to get up in the moors and to be away from “Civilisation”, it still amazes me that even in a small place like the Peak District you can walk for hours and not encounter another human.

The drop down to Howden through the forest is another nice part of this route, I even spotted some deer in the depths of the Pine Trees but sadly didn’t get my camera out in time before they had disappeared from view. Once you are back down to the road it is a short 30minute walk until you reach the slippery stones at Howden Bridge. This seems to be a very popular spot with cyclists who have rented bikes down at Derwent cycle hire shop. It is the very top of the 3 Reservoirs so this is the point where the main cycle track turns back and you can carry on along the opposite side of the water. I however, headed eastwards and up the footpath towards Margery Hill.

The climb out of the valley and up to Margery Hill is a nice and gentle experience, there is one part early on where you climb steeply and it Zig Zags a little but it is reassuringly short. The views once again at this point are fantastic. Northwards you have the vast expanse of moorland towards Howden Moors and Midhope Moors, then southwards along to Derwent Edge which looks fantastic from this point. As you reach the top of the climb you can see down to Sheffield in the east and up towards Leeds in the North East. On a clear day like today you can see for miles.

Margery Hill was my second rest stop where I had some more food and relaxed for a short while, it was rather windy today but the sunshine was beaming down so it was nice to relax for a while at the summit trig/cairn. The next point of call is Featherbed Moss and it was after this point where the route gets a little tricky. There is no distinct route over to Back Tor, the hills drop down between Featherbed Moss and Back Tor so you can choose your own route. As it had already been a long day I choose to head towards the east and try not to loose too much elevation. You can alternatively just got straight for it and head down the steep banks to Abbey Brook and then slog back up the hill. I chose the slightly longer but less thigh thrashing option and went off piste across the moors.

Once at Back Tor the route is very simple, Straight along Derwent Edge to Dovestone Tor via the fantastic rock formations at The Cakes of Bread and then its only a short walk to White Tor before the descent begins. I took the opportunity to take a panoramic shot of LadyBower near Whinstone Lee Tor at 53.38089, -1.70547
as this has got to be one of the best view points in the Peak District in my opinion. If you don’t fancy doing the huge route you could always walk up from Ashopton Viaduct as its only takes around 30minutes.

From Whinestone Lee Tor I headed down hill and passed what must have been a group of around 50 Japanese Tourists heading up to the view-point that I had just left, it must be very popular with tour companies but i’m not overly sure where they had parked their fleet of busses of vehicles. After a nice stroll down the hill through the forest I was back down at the at Ashopton Viaduct. It had been another fantastic day out in the Peak District Hills and this has got to be one of my favourite routes. It has everything one would need from a good walk. Some nice accent (around 1,400m), plenty of fantastic views and more than a few spots where you can experience a feeling of isolation or wilderness. In a few weeks time I will be back to plot out a slightly smaller route which will take in a few of the same spots..... You can now find the route in question here.... Peak District - Ladybower Loop - Small Version