Bakewell, the Monsal Trail and a Tunnel

Day two, of our early September, camp at Monsal Head with a walk, or two, over the weekend with some friends.

Sadly, Alvin and Andy F had to go early due to work commitments, which left Barney, Andy H,  Shaun, Tony, Sean, Geoff and Chrissie, and of course, the two dogs Tilly and Dixie.

Geoff, Chrissie and the dogs joined us for this walk, walking to Bakewell from Monsal Head and back along the Monsal Trail.

Day one was covered in the recent blog; An Autumn Walk on Bamford Moor and Stanage Edge, which detailed all the above names mentioned.

Day two, we awoke to a foggy morning!

Today’s walk was organised by Shaun, we would walk up to Monsal Head, then down in to Monsal Dale, cross the A6 Dukes Drive, but often called the “Buxton Road”, walk up through Great and Little Shacklow Woods, bypass Ashford in the Water, pick up the public footpath in to Bakewell, head for the town centre, then head north to pick up the disused railway, now known as the Monsal Trail, walk through Headstone Tunnel, back up to Monsal Head and back to our tents.

This walk covers a lot of ground I used to walk as a child when as a family we came to stay in the Peak District. We would walk the whole length of Monsal Dale and before Headstone Tunnel was closed, I used to walk through there with my brother using hand torches.

I had my second comfortable night, in Vaude Odyssee L2P, which replaces my trusted Vango Tornado 200.

Breakfast finished, we kitted up and then headed for Monsal Head. The fog was burning off and  the sun was shining through, it was going to be a hot day.

Heading for Monsal Head

Monsal Head

Leaving Monsal Head to pick up the path to Monsal Dale

.... "This path has quite a steep drop. Looking at the OS map, 110 metres approx!" ....

Once at Monsal Head, we took the wooded path down to Monsal Dale. This path has quite a steep drop. Looking at the OS map, 110 metres approx!

Because the path is heavily covered with trees, its hard to see or even appreciate such a steep drop, so care is needed especially if you have children walking with you.

Along this steep hill side, were once lime kilns, where limestone, along with coal, was burnt to make Quick Lime.

I mentioned in my blog for day one An Autumn Walk on Bamford Moor and Stanage Edge, Monsal Head gives superb views down Monsal Dale and Upperdale, both dales providing very pleasant walks, and Upperdale was covered in White Peak Walk from Monsal Head Sunday 18th December 2011. Here, you will read about Monsal Dale.

The River Wye, flowing through Monsal Dale, like many rivers in the White Peak, was heavily managed with weirs, manmade waterfalls come dams in days gone by, to power the various mills located along side. Without going too far upstream, you had Cressbrook Mill, then the mills around Ashford in the Water and Bakewell, just to identify a few.

As we start to descend through the wooded area, the roar of Monsal Weir starts to become very prominent.

I enjoy being alongside water, being lakes, the sea of rivers, just as much as being out in the hills and on open moorland etc.

Even today, the roar of the Monsal Weir is still fantastic, but I guess it’s those happy childhood memories taking over….

Monsal Weir

The bridge crossing the River Wye, Monsal Dale

About 100 metres downstream, there is a bridge to cross the River Wye, to continue the walk to the A6

Here Monsal Dale becomes very peaceful until you start to get closer to the A6 main road. Also, the River Wye water is clear and generally very clean and if you take the time to sit and watch, you will see the trout in the water, often, feeding on what’s being fed downstream or the insects that sit on the water surface.

It wasn’t long before the roar of traffic from the busy A6 Dukes Drive started to break the tranquility of Monsal Dale.

Looking upstream to the weir

The weir, zoomed in on the camera

Tranquil section of the River Wye, Monsal Dale

Trout in the River Wye

I guess it was called the Dukes Drive because the Duke of Devonshire, resident at Chatsworth House, had a lot of claim to the land there. There are quite a few references to the Duke, along with a few pubs using the Duke of Devonshire, either as part of entirely in the pubs name.

If you see a pub called the Devonshire Arms, the brewery hasn’t got their geography wrong; it’s all to do with the Duke of Devonshire.

Incidentally, the Ashford Arms in Ashford in the Water, used to be called the Devonshire Arms!

I’ve digressed….

We crossed the A6 to head for Great Shacklow Wood, now here is new ground for me, or at least I don’t recall walking through here.

Walking up through Great Shacklow Wood

Walking up through Great Shacklow Wood

Nice and sheltered from the sun, we were getting away from the road for a good while, though there is a steady climb as you follow the path through Great Shacklow Wood.

As we reached the pinnacle of the woodland walk, we start to descend towards Little Shacklow Wood, where we re-join the River Wye. It was still sounding nice and peaceful, even though we were getting nearer the main road.

I mentioned earlier that the River Wye supplied the water to power many mills, well as we approach a bridge that crosses the river, there is some form of lifting and conveying tackle across the river.

For what this was used for, I’m not sure and an internet search hasn’t brought anything relevant up either. Especially as the bridge which was only a few metres away and would have been substantial enough for most, if not all, traffic going to and from the mill a little further downstream.

Unless: the bridge was indisposed at some point?

But then there was road access at the Ashford end of the walk….

I’m intrigued, as I know Geoff was too….

I took this photo, because it just looked artistic and no other reason.

We continued to stay on the south side of the river and follow the path in to more woodland, this time Little Shacklow Wood. Soon after walking down the path, we encountered the first of many mills between here and Bakewell, Ashford Bobbin Mill.

There are two buildings to the mill, though on ly the one with the water wheel is Grade Two listed. I managed to find some details on the web, but not a lot. However, I managed to find this little piece of information about Ashford Bobbin Mill, West Building, Sheldon.

Ashford Bobbin Mill

Ashford Bobbin Mill

Th ewaterwheel on the Grade II listed building of Ashford Bobbin Mill

After a good look around the mill, we continued along the path, soon leaving Little Shackleton Wood, walking down the lane, getting closer to the main road and Ashford in the Water.

As you arrive at the main road, Dukes Drive, you’re blessed with a view of probably one of the most photographed bridges in the White Peak, the Sheepwash Bridge, at Ashford in the Water.

Not only that, I typed in to Google Sheepwash Bridge and “sheepwash bridge ashford-in-the-water” came up almost immediately in the search box!

The Sheepwash Bridge was originally a packhorse bridge at the western edge of the village of Ashford in the Water, with attached stone pens for gathering sheep that were to be dipped, or washed before shearing.


Sheepwash Bridge, Ashford in the Water


The method employed to ensure the sheep didn’t escape, was to separate the lambs from the ewes in one pen, while the ewes were made to enter the water, where they would have their whole bodies pushed under the reasonably fast flowing water of the River Wye, thereby washing the fleece and the ewe’s would swim across to reach their calling lambs.

If you have the time, it is worth taking a wander through Ashford in the Water, with its Norman Church, quaint streets and pubs.

However, after a detour for a quick photo shoot of the bridge, we quickly re-joined the A6 to head for Bakewell.

We had now reached the eastern edge of Ashford in the Water and entered the public footpath that takes us alongside the River Wye for most of the walk in to Bakewell.

The public footpath to Bakewell on the eastern side of Ashford in the Water

The public footpath to Bakewell alongside the River Wye in the early stages

One of the many weirs on the River Wye as it approaches Bakewell

Another weir on the River Wye as it approaches Bakewell
Yet more memories here, I used to walk alongside the river as a child, in to Bakewell, passing the weirs. However, what I recall being the original path, is now closed and you are lead uphill and away from the river.

However, you are still given good views of the river and weirs that adorn (if that is the right word).

The footpath takes us through a gap between some houses, then, we’re soon back in to a field again. However, its not long before we start to veer to the right to pick up the A6 in to Bakewell.


The A6 Buxton Road, in to Bakewell

Now here, the road is called the Buxton Road….

A bit of information, the name Bakewell is nothing to do with baking or the famous Bakewell Puddings or tarts. It is supposed to be derived from the fresh water springs in the area, with Doomsday book entries calling it the town of 'Badequella', meaning Bath-well!

Walking along the path, we take a left turn at Victoria Mill, easily identified by the rather large vets sign facing you.

As you turn in to the road, take a look at the Victoria Mill, there is a rather large water wheel, restored for decorative purposes in the car park.


Here we turned left, with Victoria Mill on the left
and the large Mellors Elliot vets sign on the right!

The waterwheel in the car park of Victoria Mill

Continue down this road for a short distance, and you see a path that takes you alongside a river, one of the many tributaries from the River Wye.

This is quite a pretty walk, taking you right in to the town centre of Bakewell, where you join up with Bridge Street.


The start of the ornate river walk foot path in to Bakewell


This bridge marks the end of the riverside footpath

If you look left up Bridge Street, you see the famous Bakewell Bridge, which spans the River Wye.

Looking to the right, takes you into the town centre, where you are treated to a great many shops, both tourist and practical. Oh, and a damned good outdoor shop….

Again, I’ll let you guess how much was spent there….. But remember, we were walking, so any gear bought, would have to be carried, not put in a car!

Here we split in to separate groups, with the aim of meeting up together in the hour to start walking back to Monsal Head.


Looking up Bridge Street, to the bridge over the River Wye

Looking down Bridge Street towards the shops


Lunch over, we regrouped, then set off towards the market Square and headed for one of the many river crossings and towards the Livestock Market.

Incidentally, they do a mean bacon butty in there, with all food locally sourced!

I can recall the days before the current livestock market was built, where the Co-op and Spar stores are now, which is where the old Livestock Market used to be.

For those interested, market day is Monday.


One of the many crossing in Bakewell over the River Wye

As you walk over, stop to look at not just the ducks, but also the numerous trout feeding


Bakewell Livestock Market, they do a mean bacon butty in there
and all the food is locally sourced

We walked around the outer edge of the Livestock Market, to pick up Coombes Road, where we turned left then almost immediate right to pick up a track to leave Bakewell and reach the Monsal Trail.

We reach the point where a bridge crosses the Monsal Trail, crossed over and went through the gate immediately to our left. Walking down this path, we soon were on the Monsal Trail.

Now I’ve often pondered about walking the trail, I’ve seen videos of it, both people walking and cycling it, heard stories and even read many leaflets about it, but just never got to doing the trail.
Walking up to the Monsal Trail


Crossing the bridge to access the Monsal Trail

Looking down on to the Monsal Trail

.... "We reach the point where a bridge crosses the Monsal Trail,
crossed over and went through the gate immediately to our left
" ....

The steps down to the Monsal Trail

Walking the Monsal Trail
I wasn’t disappointed, nor was I surprised, after all, it was an old railway that suffered the Beeching axe…..

Dr Beeching, or Richard Baron Beeching responsible for reshaping British Railways from his report in the early sixties.

The Monsal Trail runs follows the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell.

In recent years, a lot of money has been spent on creating the Monsal Trail and Tunnels along with the Tissington Trail, to make for a pleasant route for all to enjoy, either by foot or by bike.

As we walked in a westerly direction, we soon encountered what was once a station, then, the open walk was soon to start. A steady stroll, no gradients, no sharp turns, after all, it was once a railway line and the trains would not negotiate any steep incline, nor stay safe on any steep decline.

We encountered many walkers and cyclists while on the trail and the famous Hassop Station, well, it’s now a café and bookshop, would provide a very nice rest spot for many.


Approaching Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail

Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail

Soon, the part of the trail that I was waiting to see was getting closer, Headstone Tunnel.

Now before I go any further, all the tunnels are lit today, but, I understand the lights will go out at dusk, so it is wise to have a torch, or headtorch with you, just in case you get delayed completing any of the tunnels.

The approach was much as I remember it, though modern safety fencing had been utilised to prevent walkers, cyclists and horse riders becoming injured due to any rock falls. Also, when I last walked through, the surface was old sleeper blast, today, a tarmacked surface to make it easier for walkers, cyclists and riders.

Approaching Headstone Tunnel on the Monsal Trail



Walking through Headstone Tunnel on the Monsal Trail

Approaching the end of Headstone Tunnel on the Monsal Trail

The end of Headstone Tunnel on the Monsal Trail

Monsal Trail Viaduct

It was a pleasant walk, with a lot of nostalgia.

The walk took just a little over seven minutes for me, without any stops in the tunnel, which was adequately lit all through.

But, I would strongly advise carrying a torch or headtorch, just in case you don't exit the tunnel before the light switch out.

We soon reached the end of Headstone Tunnel, where we were treated a superb view along the Monsal Viaduct. Not too far after leaving the tunnel, there is a gate and path to the right, which takes you up to Monsal Head, our journeys end.

Just another warning, there is a steep drop to the left on this path of up to 30 metres!


The path off to the right after Headstone Tunnel, taking us back to Monsal Head

The path taking us back to Monsal Head

.... "there is a steep drop to the left on this path of up to 30 metres!" ....

At about halfway up, the path then re-joins the path from Upperdale, where you continue the ascent to Monsal Head.

Once at Monsal Head, you can enjoy a drink in the Stables Bar, Hobbs Teas and Crafts or even enjoy an ice cream in the summer....

It was a superb day, a fantastic walk with many fond memories resurrected.

Shaun, a big thank you for organising this walk, it brought back to me many happy memories and I really enjoyed it.

Finally, happy rambling and thank you for reading,
Peak Rambler

Photo Album     PeakRambler Flickr Photo Album  

References

Blogs I’ve written mentioned
White Peak Walk from Monsal Head Sunday 18th December 2011

An Autumn Walk on Bamford Moor and Stanage Edge

It was early September, 2013, a planned camp at Monsal Head with a walk, or two, over the weekend with some friends.

The friends, Barney, Alvin, Andy H, Andy F, Shaun, Tony, Sean, Geoff and Chrissie, I can’t leave out Tilly and Dixie, Geoff and Chrissie’s two lovely dogs, all met up at Park House camp site, near Monsal Head in the Peak District. All of us keen walkers or active in the outdoor fraternity, which is where Tony and Sean come in.

Tony manages Sawyer Europe, which markets the successful Sawyer squeeze water filter, which is used quite successfully by many fellow walkers and backpackers.

I look forward to using mine in the not too distant future, after seeing one in action and even trying what was peat filled water that had been filtered to be as clear as tap water, while out on Axe Edge Moor with Barney and the two Andy’s.

You can read about that walk and see the video of the water filter in use in Axe Edge Moor, the Cat and Fiddle pub and a Stag Do and the same video Sawyer Water Filter can also be seen on YouTube.

Geoff, Chrissie and the dogs didn’t join us on this walk; however, they did join us on the Sunday, when we walked to Bakewell from Monsal Head and back along the Monsal Trail.

Both Geoff and Chrissie run a blog each. Geoff’s is “Far not fast A story of travels by foot, motorcycle and motorhome”, while Chrissie’s blog is; “Dixie Mountain Days and Nights with an intrepid Boxer”.

As we all of us arrived at varying times during Friday afternoon and night, pitching our tents, apart from Geoff and Chrissie who used their camper van, and a smart looking one it is too…

Myself, I had grabbed a portion of chips in Bakewell before arriving at the camp site.

For me, it was time to try out my new tent, a Vaude Odyssee L2P, which replaces my trusted Vango Tornado 200. The Vango was a superb tent, just a little too heavy for any wild camping that I would like to get back in to at some time.


My new tent, the Vaude Odyssee L2P

But, I do like a decent porch size in my tents, which the old Vango has, unlike many modern tents. The Vaude has a somewhat smaller porch, but bigger than many tents I have been looking at over the last couple of years, plus, its geodesic and pitch outer first, just as the Vango is, again, another preferred style of tent.

These are my personal preferences. I know there are those who prefer the much lighter pitch inner first that may only have one pole, but requires to be supported by guys irrespective. It’s down to what suits your camping needs and budget.

Anyway, tent pitched and kit sorted, sleeping bag rolled out, we then headed off to the nearby Stables Bar, part of the Monsal Head Hotel, situated on Monsal Head.

Just digressing, Monsal Head gives superb views down Monsal Dale and Upperdale, both dales providing very pleasant walks.

Looking down Monsal Dale from Monsal Head  (Peak Rambler Library Photo)

Looking down Upperdale from Monsal Head (Peak Rambler Library Photo)


Upperdale has been covered in White Peak Walk from Monsal Head Sunday 18th December 2011 while Monsal Dale, which I’ve walked many times in the past, will be covered in my next blog, which was the second walk of our camping and walking weekend.

So we enjoyed a pleasant and sociable beer or two in The Stables. Those of us, who hadn’t eaten, had a meal there. I had a portion of chips In Bakewell before arriving at the camp site.

While in the bar, we caught up on the gossip, we shared walking stories and other tales and also sorted where we were walking on the Saturday.

Stanage Edge was agreed, which was Alvin’s choice after earlier exchanges of emails during the previous couple of weeks.

At the end of the night, we ambled back to our tents, with a post pub chat, before settling down for the night.

The view over the Monsal Trail from our camp site on Friday night.


Saturday morning, was a pleasant morning even though it was cloudy, with the threat of rain by the weather forecasters. Breakfast consumed and the days kit sorted, we headed off for the village of Bamford where we would take the road just to the north of the village up to Dennis Knoll, where we would park up for the start of the walk.

The route was based on two walks I had done on Stanage Edge, the first a couple of years ago, and the other was during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of May 2013, which is covered in Stanage Edge on a sunny Bank Holiday Sunday where I had to cut short my walk.

The route was to walk west from Dennis Knoll to Bole Hill, where we would pick up Bamford Moor, then head for Crow Chin to climb up on to Stanage Edge.

From there, we would walk along Stanage Edge out to Upper Burbage Bridge, and then back to Dennis Knoll at the end.

Arriving at Dennis Knoll, we parked up and then headed west for Bole Hill. As we walked along the lane, we could clearly see Stanage Edge over to our right, for a short distance, before the road dipped below Bole Hill.

You wouldn’t believe the number of times I have typed Pole Hill, which is the highest point of the Long Mynd in Shropshire. Incidentally, the Long Mynd is another very pleasant area to walk in, having walked there many times myself.

Walking towards Bole Hill, which is just off the photo in the right.

Anyway, continuing along the lane in a westerly direction, eventually we reach the eastern edge of Bamford Edge, where we took the public footpath on to Bamford Moor.

Just looking to our left, we were given superb views across the Hope Valley and the Hope Cement works, where earlier this year, we had a winter meet, staying Pindale Farm and walking on Kinder in the snow, which was covered in A Peak Winter Meet, a Bunkhouse and Kinder.

Looking over to Hope Cement works

As we climbed up on to Bamford Moor, through quite a tall growth of bracken, we arrived at a disused quarry, where we would continue climbing from out on to Bamford Moor. Once on the moor we were able to see our next destination, Crow Chin.

Almost like walking through a jungle, I think Andy F was wishing he had packed a machete to trim the bracken growth.

We were also given superb views of the entire length of Stanage Edge, which is basically an old continental shelf from when the Peak District, along with much of Britain and Europe, was under the sea!

Stanage meaning STONE, therefore Stanage Edge means Stone Edge, quite a good description, considering it is a stone edge.

Approaching the footpath on to Bamford Moor

The footpath on to Bamford Moor

The footpath on to Bamford Moor

.... "Almost like walking through a jungle
 I think Andy F was wishing he had packed a machete
to trim the bracken growth
" ....


We wandered along Bamford Moor maintaining a steady course towards Crow Chin, following a track which ran almost parallel to a very low boundary feature, which is marked on the map.

As we neared the end of the boundary feature, which turned off at a right angle towards Stanage Edge, we started to approach a run of stone posts. At this point, we needed to follow the boundary feature and aim for Crow Chin, which was in clear view.

Quite quickly, the boundary feature disappears, so it cannot be relied upon as a navigation aid for too long, but then the visibility was extremely clear this day and navigation was not going to be a problem.

Heading for Crow Chin, we had to drop down Bamford Moor, which also meant we were to walk below the water table. Now those of you who walk on the moors a lot will know what that means?

Yes, it was going to get boggy…..

This and the next photo, the disused quarry as you climb to Bamford Moor


The final climb out of the disused quarry to Bamford Moor

Bamford Moor

Walking on Bamford Moor

The boundary feature in the foreground, with Stanage Edge on the horizon

Stone Markers, marking the path towards Jarvis Clough.
A good indicator we needed to turn off this path and aim for Crow Chin.

Negotiating the bog on Bamford Moor with Crow Chin on the horizon.

Almost there, Crow Chin
On this particular day, it wasn’t too bad, but I’ve walked in some horrendous bogs, one of which was towards the tail end of a walk in October 2012, when I was on the North York Moors, walking on Howl Moor. You can read about that in A Heartbeat Walk from Aidensfield on to Howl Moor where I had to climb away from the water table and find an alternative route back to the car.

Looking over Bamford Moor from Crow Chin to Mam Tor and Win Hill

Mam Tor (left) and Win Hill (right)

Wheel Stones on Derwnt Edge from Crow Chin

Choccy break on Crow Chin
It wasn’t too long before we started to climb out of the water table and clear of the bog, to start the ascent up through Crow Chin on to Stanage Edge.

Once up on Crow Chin, we stopped to take in the views and also for a chocolate break….

Choccy break over, we started to head in a south easterly direction, following the edge, which was going to be our general direction all the way out to Upper Burbage Bridge.

This part of Stanage Edge is quiet and almost remote, being well away from the busier south eastern end of Cowper Stones by Upper Burbage Bridge.


Looking along Stanage Edge

High Neb, Stanage Edge

A bit windy, almost 25 mph, F5 on the Beaufort Scale, a Strong Breeze....

The wind chill, 5.5ºC....


Incidentally, the clearly defined path was once a Roman packhorse road, one of many throughout the Peak District.

Also, you will encounter quite a few pubs using the name, or variants of, Packhorse.

Walking along the clearly defined path, we walked past the trig point at High Neb and as we walked along the edge, we came across a shelter, just off path on our left. This of course meant we had to investigate the shelter, which really looked like a two stone bus shelters back to back.

The shelter was most likely for the use of gamekeepers during a grouse shoot, because a little to the north eat are grouse butts, which are basically fixtures from which those out shooting, will shoot from.


.... "we walked along the edge, we came across a shelter, just off path on our left.This of course meant we had to investigate the shelter, " ....

.... "which really looked like a two stone bus shelters back to back" ....

I’ve mentioned many times before, much of the land we walk on is managed, Stanage Edge (and Bamford Moor) are no less so managed land.

Once we had investigated the shelter, we returned to the path that followed the edge continuing our way towards Upper Burbage Bridge, walking, talking and enjoying the views along Stanage Edge and around, out across the Peak District, over to Win Hill, Mam Tor, Kinder, Bleaklow and Derwent Edge.


Walking along the edge, we started to see groups climbing the gritstone rock faces as we neared the more popular and busier area of Stanage Edge.

It was along this part that I encountered a small group of lads looking lost. They thought they had missed their turning and taken a wrong turn, not something that easy to do without going seriously off path, or even worse, over the edge!

After discussing with the lads where they were heading, I managed to reassure them and point them in the right direction, pointing out land marks on their map that were clearly visible from where we were standing at the time.

Not too far from this point, was Robin Hood’s Cave, a cave with what seems a naturally weathered balcony just below the main levels of Stanage Edge. Though I wouldn’t be surprised it it was manmade.


Lunch in Robin Hoods Cave

We had been looking for a sheltered area to eat lunch and Robin Hood’s Cave provided reasonable shelter from the wind, which had peaked up to almost 25 mph giving a wind chill of 5.5ºC!


Looking over to Robin Hoods Cave (Peak Rambler Library)

Robin Hoods Cave (Peak Rambler Library)

The balcony in Robin Hoods Cave (Peak Rambler Library)

Yes, early September, just out of the peak of summer and we were getting temperatures lower than the average domestic fridge!

Lunch over, we climbed out of the ledge where Robin Hood’s Cave was and continued south easterly along the clearly defined path on Stanage Edge.

It wasn’t too long before we reached Cowper Stones and the trig point. We then descended down from Stanage Edge and Cowper Stones, down towards Upper Burbage Bridge, which is actually a bridge over Burbage Brook.

After a brief break at Upper Burbage Bridge, we discussed the return route, of which we had two options; one was to follow the road back to Overstones Farm, then take a right back toward Dennis Knoll, or to return via Stanage Edge.

There is actually a third path, which we overlooked, which would be to follow the path at the foot of Stanage Edge. I think for me that will be one to investigate another time.

As we were walking along Stanage Edge, this Biplane
a De Havilland D.H. 82 Tiger Moth kept flying over

Cowper Stone Trig Point

Descending from Stanage Edge and heading for Upper Burbage Bridge

Looking over to Upper Burbage Bridge

Upper Burbage Bridge


Incidentally, further downstream of Burbage Brook on Hathersage Moor, past Higger Tor, is Burbage Bridge.

We decided, to climb back up on to Stanage Edge and back track the route.

As we set off backtracking Stanage Edge we were looking for a shortened exit from Stanage Edge, preferably one close to where we had parked near Dennis Knoll.

During this section, we observed a rain shower working its way across Hope Valley, heading our way.

These scenarios, apart from giving good advanced warning that we need to put waterproofs on, can be fascinating to watch, especially as it veered off course and headed over Kinder towards Bleaklow.

Watching the rain pass over the Hope Valley on to Kinder

Our descent from Stanage Edge, down towards Stanage Plantation

Looking up to Climbers on Stanage Edge

Continuing our descent from Stanage Edge down towards Stanage Plantation

So our waterproofs stayed where they were, in our packs.

We had two options, the first was directly to the east of Dennis Knoll, and the second was just over 500 metres further on.

We managed to find the first descent path, which was quite a steep stone path bringing us out at a car park by Stanage Plantation.

In this car park, there was a mobile kiosk selling tea, coffee and many other niceties, with a picnic area, blessed with good views up and along Stanage Edge as well as around the surrounding countryside.

As we walked through the car park, we soon reached the road, we turned right out of the car park on to the road, from there we had a short walk to Dennis Knoll and our transport back.

Of course, as with any seasoned walker, we had to visit Hathersage and the outdoor shops that it has…..

After spending time in the outdoor shops, we travelled back to the camp site, where we could freshen up ready to head to the Stables Bar for our post walk drink and food.

I’ll leave you guessing if any goodies were bought and how much was spent while we were in Hathersage….


Saturday night in The Stables Bar

Saturday night in The Stables Bar



After our post walk drink and food, we trundled back to the camp site, where we had a late night chat where Tony and Sean had a mini BBQ going, cooking sausages.

A couple of us had some food, which was shared around, more sausages, oat cakes and bacon!

That was a superb end to a superb day. We settled down for the night, looking forward to the next day, walking to Bakewell and back via the Monsal Trail and Headstone Tunnel.

Thank you guys for being such great company, that was an enjoyable walk.



The GPS Tracklog of our route on Bamford Moor and Stanage Edge

You’ll have to wait for that blog; I’ve yet to start typing that one up. However, the photos are up for both days on my Peak Rambler Flickr Photo Album account if fancy a preview

Finally, happy rambling and thank you for reading,
Peak Rambler


References

Blogs I’ve written mentioned