Win Hill November 19th 2011

Parked up at Hatherdene car park Bamford, just before the junction with the A57.

This was about a perfect day for walking as you can get. Clear, cool, gentle breeze – excellent.

Walked south along the road to the end of the reservoir. The path then drops down at about 45% below the dam. Alternatively I could have taken the path along the dam wall. Followed the path down to Yorkshire Bridge, and then the climb up through the edge of the woods  (Parkin Clough)was relentlessly steep. On the second half of the walk (north of the snake) there was lots of mountain bikers….you wouldn’t find any bikes on the climb from Yorkshire bridge....unless they were being carried.

Once out of the woods there is a short climb to the summit. Given this is an average hill in terms of height (it would just qualify as a wainwright if it was in the Lakes) the views are stunning. To the South Hope Valley , Lose Hill , Mam Tor , the Ridge, Southwest - the Vale of Edale and the edge of Kinder. to the North, Ladybower , Derwent Edge and Bleaklow to the North West.....brilliant.

The path then follows the ridge and drops down following an old Roman Road through the woods to Haggwater Bridge. The path down to the bridge is very steep and rocky , and wet, so slow going.

Once over the Snake, another climb up to the ridge (open Hagg) running parallel to the road and next to the woods. Eventually the path leaves the edge of the woods to open land towards Crook Hill. I skirted Crook Hill towards the farm. The path from the farm then drops down to the Fairholmes road and then back to the A57 and the car park.

I’ll definitely be doing this one again – a perfect days walking.

About 9.5 miles OS OL1 Dark Peak

Crook Hill from the top of Win Hill