Another walk from "Day Walks in the Peak District", and a complement to the walk that we did on May 4th.The walk starts from the Hathersage car park and rejoins familiar territory at the Leadmill Bridge, where there's a short overlap with the May walk.
Inscription on Leadmill Bridge
On reaching Hazelford Hall, the two routes diverge and this time we went more or less directly up to the Sir William Hill Road. Rather than following the public road, we used the byway to skirt Bretton Moor and stopped for light refreshments (including crisps!) at The Barrel Inn at Bretton. From there, we followed the (currently closed to traffic) road across Hucklow Edge- easy walking, and very quiet. It was clear why the road was closed- there were landslips to its south and the road itself had collapsed at its western end, although not to the extent of the Mam Tor road!
On nearing the Gliding Club, the route took a welcome break from tarmac, cutting across a couple of gullies and passing a sad-looking building.
Off the road and onto paths
We were crossing the head of the valley that the Bretton Brook runs through; the southern side looked steep and appeared to have many landslips!
Above the Bretton Brook valley, with landslips, sheep and hawthorn blossom
Before starting the traverse of Abney Moor, we took advantage of a well-placed bench to have our lunch.
A perfect lunch spot
On crossing Abney Moor, we passed a field of horses- Jacinta stopped for a chat with one.
Deep in conversation
On starting our descent back to Hathersage, we could spot familiar landmarks- Win Hill, Ladybower Reservoir and Bamford Edge, amongst others.
Win Hill, Ladybower and Bamford Edge in the distance
The way down to Hathersage started with a steep descent towards Offerton Hall.
At the start of the descent to Offerton Hall
An enhancement to any walk is seeing any unusual livestock. This time, it was a couple of very impressive hogs.
Impressive hogs
Rather than follow the rather convoluted instructions to get back to Leadmill Bridge, we made straight for the Derwent Valley Heritage Way, running beside the river- very cool and pleasant.
Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head The original plan was for David to meet Paul at Langsett but, for very valid reasons, the plan fell through. I set off for Langsett but, on reflection as I started along the Woodhead road, I hadn't walked on Bleaklow for quite some time so I stopped off at the old Woodhead Station to walk up to the Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head. The mist was fairly low and I wasn't anticipating good views. The view from the Far Black Clough path I didn't expect to meet many people but I did encounter a ram with very fine horns. Ram with fine horns Fortunately, the mist lifted and at the Bleaklow Stones the views were good. The Bleaklow Stones Kinder and Stanage in the distance When I reached Bleaklow Head, the wooden stake had collapsed, so I made a (probably very temporary) repair. Before... After! As I left Bleaklow Head, I could see clouds tumbling over Black Hill and Holm Moss: I anticipated that I'd be walking back mainly in the mist. As it wa...
Shining Tor and Thursbitch Our last walk of 2023 was not very ambitious on account of the weather. We went up to Shining Tor as usual- battling into the wind; the cloud was low and just grazing the top of Shining Tor. Shining Tor with its head in the clouds After a very short break at the top, instead of just reversing the walk, we went down into the valley and visited Thursbitch for the first time this year. Clouds blowing in from Shining Tor towards Cats Tor The ruins of Thursbitch We saw no one except for some (hopeful) sheep who wrongly assumed that we might be bearing food. Optimistic sheep Persistently optimistic sheep The only downside to this really nice walk is the somewhat boring plod up the road from the end of the drive to Howlersknowl up to the car park at Pym Chair and the welcome sight of the car. It was then home for lunch. An occasionally cold and occasionally wet outing of 4.6 miles with 320m ascent but well worth doing nonetheless.
Castleton and Mam Tor At this time of year it's all about seizing the opportunity and the weather window, if they appear. We went to Castleton, had a coffee at the visitor centre and then walked up past the three Blue John mines- Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and the Blue John Cavern. Then it was up onto the moorlands leading up to Mam Nick. It was cold and quite windy, but nice to be out- although a Saturday during the Christmas Holidays meant crowds, especially as we neared Mam Tor. We always feel that it's great to see so many people out, enjoying the Peak District and we know that, in a week or so, we will have the place (almost) to ourselves. At the top of Mam Tor it was blowing a gale and we didn't hang about. A party of three, which we had initially met at the Treak Cliff Cavern and then a couple of times more, were kind enough to take some pictures of us, with the lovely light illuminating The Peak to the east. In the chilly wind, descending Mam Tor We w...
