David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

 Edale, Mam Tor and Brown Knoll A dry day in Edale, according to David's little weather station, so we got out early and arrived in Edale soon after 9. After a customary visit to the Penny Pot (now shutting during the week for winter) we began the ascent of Mam Tor via Hollins Cross. The top of Kinder was in the mist for most of the day but, fortunately, we had good views most of the time. Kinder with its head in the clouds On the way up to Hollins Cross- Rushup Edge in the clouds Looking back along The Great Ridge with the Eastern Edges on the Horizon When we arrived at the top of Mam Tor there were scores of people coming up from the Mam Tor car park and it was a bit of a relief to escape the crowds on the other side of the M.T. road. As usual, the walk along Rushup Edge was fairly deserted. More solitary- on the way up to Rushup Edge We decided to go on to Brown Knoll as the day was clear and mild. David at the Brown Knoll trig point After lunch (just after Brown Knoll) we came...

Edale, Mam Tor, Brown Knoll and Grindslow Knoll  A fine weather forecast meant that we were able to go to Edale which always provides lots of options regarding ways up and down. We walked up to Hollins Cross and then on to Mam Tor- where there were crowds of people (and sheep dogs). Mam Tor from Hollins Cross The Great Ridge (and Win Hill) from Mam Tor We managed to leave the crowds behind simply by crossing the road and heading up to Rushup Edge. As we were going well, we walked up to Brown Knoll- passing a couple of (very clean) sheep who had managed to camouflage themselves as builders' material bags from a distance! Very clean sheep At Brown Knoll we ate our lunch balanced on the edge of the trig point. On our way down to the top of Jacob's Ladder we met a man with his two dachshunds who had walked 20 miles, which was pretty impressive. Then we walked up to Kinder and up to Noe Stool and the plateau. The Woolpacks on the LH skyline and Grindslow Knoll (Center skyline) Noe S...

Castleton, Rushup Edge and the Limestone Way To Castleton on a sunny Thursday and another walk from the new Day Walks book. From Castleton the path passes three Blue John mines and the obligatory sheep and lambs.  Lamb owning the path On the way up to Blue John Cavern: Mam Tor looming ahead After the Blue John Cavern, it was on to Mam Nick- always a gathering point for the many people who climb up Mam Tor. We stopped for a snack with a very  tame (or cheeky) jackdaw who sampled various snippets. Jackdaw on the scrounge It was then a familiar walk up to Lord's Seat and Rushup Edge but it does not disappoint. This time we went down to the main road and then down the side road (very quiet!) down to Eldon Lane. We took a turning from here which led us into the long, straight Perry Vale which has nice views either side, but still feels a little like a road. The route then follows the Pennine Bridleway, where we passed a bunch of lounging goats. Lounging goats with one scratching hi...

Castleton, Peak Forrest, Sparrowpit and Rushup Edge This was a walk that we didn't do last year, and it did not disappoint. We drove to Castleton and worked our way up the hillside beside the Norman castle to reach the path to Rowter Farm. It was great to see the usual features from a different angle. Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill with the Derwent Edges in the far distance As we walked towards the farm the clouds were in and out with the occasional drizzle, and a full rainbow. Rainbow with Mam Tor in the background As we passed Rowter Farm, a welcome absence of frisky cows meant that there was no need for detours and the way through The Portway and all the old lead mining workings seemed less obscure than in 2021. The route was a combination of grassy and vague paths, and tracks- some definitely not for the use of casual off-roaders! Giant Lego brick detering 4-wheel drives We made our way down to Old Dam and Peak Forest, and along Perry Dale, a section of the Pennine Bridleway, ...

  Edale And A Circuit To The West According to our Edale Weather Station in the kitchen, the weather looked dry on Thursday and it did not disappoint. It was one of those days when the only place to be is Edale, for a long walk. We got out early (for us!) and stopped at the Penny Pot where we talked to a guy who had been up on Mam Tor at sunrise, along with many others, to see the sun rise. It's become one of those "Things to do", and there's scope for many fantastic pictures to be taken. We walked up to Ringing Roger, passing Joy's Gate, where the adjoining fence was in need of repair, but where we could take in the views. Rushup Edge and Grindslow Knoll from Joy's Gate Grindslow Knoll and Grindsbrook Clough As ever, Ringing Roger looked forbidding but it's hardly a scramble and it's very satisfying to get to the top for a breather. The path up to Ringing Roger After the break at the top of Ringing Roger, we went left/west along the tops, really enjo...

  Edale, Mam Tor, Rushup Edge and Chapel Gate The forecast was for a dry day- and so it was until we had just got back to the car at the end of our walk! After a trip to the (newly revamped) Penny Pot, we walked up to Hollins Cross and then up to Mam Tor. Approaching Hollins Cross; Kinder in the background The sun on Lose Hill The last time we did this, the mist was down so it was great to have panoramic views all around. There were a lot of walkers out today on Mam Tor, but as soon as we crossed over the road to Rushup Edge, the people melted away and we had the place virtually to ourselves. Ascending Rushup Edge, Mam Tor in background The Great Ridge from Lord's Seat, summit of Rushup Edge We branched off rightwards a bit after Lord's Seat and this led us down to the Chapel Gate path. From here the route down is great, not as steep as some of the other paths and it was a way that we had not gone down for ages. Part way across the fields to Manor House Farm, we stopped for som...