Shining Tor 1st December 2014

Monday off work so I decided to try a new walk. The original plan was to walk North from the Cat and Fiddle pub in a round walk taking in Shining Tor and Berry Clough and then cross the A54 and walk across Axe Edge moor looping back round up Danebower Hollow. However, because I didn't start until 11 AM and with limited daylight I ended up just doing the top half of the walk.

From the layby opposite the Cat and Fiddle I took the path heading West/North West along the road before turning right to tale the well signposted path up to Shining Tor.

One of the best things I like about Hill walking is the view you get from high ground. This section of the walk it was misty , so no view today. However, once I was away from the sound of the road it was a beautiful quiet walk with no air movement. Occasionally I would disturb a ground nesting bird which would take off with an alarmed squawk (or whatever Grouse , Curlews or Pheasants do !!). 

Trig Point Shining Tor

What a pose

From there a retraced my steps before taking a left at a path signposted Goytsclough Quarry. As the path dropped down towards the woods the mist cleared a little and I could see Erwood Resevoir in the distance. This section of the walk was quite wet and muddy. The path led into the top of the woods and then across Deep Clough via a  footbridge. There was a crossroads on the footpath the other side of this footbridge. I opted to carry straight on which eventually brought me to the minor road which leads down to Derbyshire Bridge. Cross the road and down into the valley there was an old stone footbridge across the River Goyt.

I stopped for a bite to eat on the other side of the bridge. This would be a excellent spot for a picnic.

There was a short stretch of path along the side of the valley before taking a left turn signposted Berry Clough. After a mile or so near the top of the clough I took a right hand turn in the path which led across open moorland and then to the roman road which led down to Derbyshire Bridge and then on the minor road up to the Cat and Fiddle. Useful to know that there is a car park at Derbyshire Bridge.

Vey enjoyable walk. I will definitely be back to the Axe Edge section and hopefully to repeat the first leg again on a clear day.

About 6.5 Miles PS OL 24 White Peak

Sour Howe & Sallows 2nd November 2014

A pleasant half day walk in the Lakes bagging another couple of Wainwrights.

Starting Point was the Church Bridge car park in Troutbeck.

Cross the bridge and then a short section on the road before picking up the Garburn Pass track which links Troutbeck to Kentmere. The path climbs steadily up the side of Sour Howes with great views across to the Fairfield range to the West and the Yoke Ill Bell Ridge to the North East. Just before the turn off to Yoke turn right at Garburn Nook and then a soggy path leads up a gentle climb to the summit of Sallows.

Top of Sallows

From there I decided to cross the open fell to get to Sour Howes rather than looking for the path. Unfortunately I ended up the wrong side of a high dry stone wall. eventually there was a break in the wall where it was under repair. After negotiating a barb wire fence I used my trusty Garmin to get me to the summit of Sour Howes with a great view across to Windemere.

Top of Sour Howes

Yoke - Ill Bell Ridge

There was a well defined path which led from the summit back to the Garburn pass - lower down from where I left it. This path isn't marked on the OS map.

A pleasant easy walk in contrast to the two epic horseshoes earlier in the year - Kentmere and Fairfield.

OS OL 5 about 5 miles

Houndkirk Moor – Redmires Resevoir – Stanage Edge

Houndkirk Moor – Redmires Resevoir – Stanage Edge 26th October 2014

Something a bit more substantial after last weeks short walk.

First Leg – same as  last week. Higger Tor down to Sheffield Country Walk. From there on this was a new walk which took me to the edge of Sheffield enjoying spectacular views of the City from the edge of Houndkirk Moor.

 

Burbage Brook

Houndkirk Hill with Sheffield in the distance

Fullwood Lane

Redmires Resevoir

Stanage Pole

Houndkirk Road was originally a turnpike between Hathersage and Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution. It is now a wide track from near Fox House to Ringinlow open to walkers, cyclists, bikers and 4x4 motors.

On the home straight - Stanage Edge

Higger Tor – Carl Wark Fort = Sheffield Country Walk – right turn up to Houndkirk Road – Lady Cannings Plantation – Clough Hollow – Fulwood Lane – Concessionary path to Redmires Reservoir – Stanage Pole – Stanage Edge – Higger Tor

An excellent , varied walk , with great views.

10 Miles OS OL 1 Dark Peak

Higger Tor – Burbage Brook 19th October 2014-10-26

A short walk on my Birthday with Richard.

This is a walk I have done a few times now :-

Higger Tor – Carl Wark Fort – Burbage Bridge – Sheffield Country walk- Upper Burbage Bridge.

An excellent walk with fine views, and then back home for a Birthday meal.

3 Miles OS OL1 Dark Peak

Whinnlatter Fells 11 Oct 2014

The weather forecast was for sunshine with the occasional shower, so off I set again for another Lake District adventure.

I had checked the route I needed in advance and the forestry commission map of the forest was an excellent guide and for a lot of the day I didn’t need my OS map. I printed a PDF off from the web or you can pick one up from the visitor centre.

Parked at the visitor centre and took the green waymarked walk up to junction 53. The path out of the forest up to Lords Seat isn’t waymarked but there is only two choices form Jct 53 – waymarked trail or not , so navigation was easy.

So I was soon at the summit of Lords Seat with glorious views all around – there was only the cloud covered top of Skiddaw that I couldn’t see.

 

Grisdale Pike from top of Lords seat

Lord Seats Summit

Using Lords Seat as base camp the sequence was then Broom FellàGraystonesèBroom FellàLords SeatàBarfàLords Seat. The views from the to of Barf are spectacular.

 

Broom Fell Summit

View from the top of  Broom Fell

The walking between each of the fells was excellent –apart  some boggy patches and a downpour on the Lords Seat à Barf leg.  I could see the Irish Sea to the west and Grisdale Pike to the east. Grisdale Pike is a magnificent looking peak. I really don’t mind a there and back again walk when most of it is high level like this. The reason for returning to Lords Seat rather than back into the forest from Barf was my path dropped down to the right side of the forest to get to Whinnlatter.

 

Top of Graystones

Grasmoor Group from Graystones summit

By the time I got down to Jct 2 I was knackered with soggy boots and feet. However, after a drink and something to eat I decided I was too close not to attempt this last fell. So up the unmarked path which led onto the open fell. Up a short steep climb along the fence to the ridge line of the fell. Then simply follow the undulating path (soggy in places) leading to Whinnlatter top. Tired but please to reach my fifth Wainwright of the day. Wainwright suggests that Sour How at the far Westen end of the ridge is the true summit , but I was too tired to go any further – anyhow my OS map puts Whinnlatter top as the summit, so that is good enough for me !! I was soon back at the visitor centre, wet boots off , cup of tea ready for the long drive home.

Way back up to Broom Fell

View from the top of Barf

Barf Summit

Grisdale Pike on the way back down through the forest

Last one of the Day - Whinnlatter top

Yet another excellent day out in the Lakes.

About 11 miles OS OL 4

Bamford Edge 3rd October 2014

This was a similar walk to the first time I came here except the walk out to Bamford Edge was across Bamford Moor as was the return journey. Once I got to Great Tor I headed along the edge enjoyng the fantastic views of Win Hill and Ladybower. Then I headed back across the moor following a path for some of the way to the top of Jarvis Clough . From there I headed to a point on Stanage Edge which looked easy enough to scramble up. From there it was an excellent stroll back along Stanage taking in Crow Chin and High Neb before dropping back down to the car park at Dennis Knoll.

The cross country sections with no path were interesting but hard work in places (where the bracken and heather were higher). I disturbed a hare at one point and it was a great site watching it gallop over the moor.

OS OL1 Dark Peak . About 5 Miles

Roaches - Luds Church 23/09/2014

Mid week walk on my week off work with Jake and Rowan.

This is a great walk I have done before - Roaches - Roach end - Luds Church - Gradbach Wood and then back along the edge.

Roaches Summit

Luds church

Fantastic walk - overcast but dry and warm.

About 7 miles OS OL24 White Peak.

Derwent Edge Lancaster Bombers 21st September 2014

Brilliant day for a walk - clear , no wind but pleasantly warm.

It was my last chance to see the two last airworthy Lancasters flying together,before the Canadian one returned home.

I set of early so that I could get somewhere to park. The car park and all the laybys down to Fairholmes were all full p at 9.00!!. I did a U turn and headed back to Bamford and parked opposite Ladybower just South of the A57.

I headed away from the edge for a while towards cutthroat bridge. I took a left turn up through Ladybower Wood and the footpath soon disapeared as I reached a high drystone wall. I could see the the edge about 1/2 a mile to my right. As I seemed to be heading back down, I carefully climbed the wall and headed across the open moor to Whinstone Lee Tor. That was really hard work wading though Bracken and Heather.

Eventually I got to the path on the edge and had a pleasant stroll along as far as Back Tor. I had planned to drop down to Derwent Resevoir and watch the planes form there, but decided that the views down Ladybower from close to Whinstone Lee Tor were excellent ...and I would have a shorter walk back to the car after seeing the planes.

I tracked back and found a comfy grass ledge with rocks to lean on looking down the full length of Ladybower. I settled down for a two hour wait, and was soon joined by lots of other folk come to watch. About 30 mins before the Lancs we were treated to a flypast by two spitfires. They flew down and then  back along the reservoir twice - fantastic.

Then the Lancs came and it was a real privilege to see them , and also a fantastic view as they were flying level with where  we were watching. They flew down , and then back and down again before heading off to Lincolnshire....absolutely brilliant.

After that I dropped back down from Whinstone Lee Tor to the A57 and back to the car.

About 6 Miles OS OL 1 Dark Peak - great day out

High Seat – Bleaberry Fell – Walla Crag 12th September 2014

 A shorter walk this week compared to last weeks 12 miles. This was an excellent walk in perfect conditions. Warm with no breeze. The only slight downside was the haziness which made some the views not as spectacular as they might have been, but this is the Lake District – you take what you get.

I parked at the NT car park at Ashness Bridge. The footpath was just over the road next to the NT building covered in sheepskins (that is what it looks like). The ascent was a steady pull – steep in places , but straightforward, with great views back over Derwent Water. Soon as I was at the rim of the plateau on the edge of Ashness Fell. Navigation  to the summit from here was easy. There were some patches of boggy ground but no problems to get around.

Hazy view of Catbells across Derwent Water

path across the plateau - with Dodd looming into view

High seat summit cairn

The summit of High Seat is marked with a small cairn and a trig point. The next target – Bleaberry Fell could be seen clearly across the plateau. I stopped for a break and a chat with a fellow walker who arrived at the summit a few minutes after me. The track across to Bleaberry Fell was boggy in places , but nowhere near as bad as Wainwright describes it. In fact it was just like a dark peak walk in Derbyshire.

 

Trig Point _ High Seat

Bleaberry Fell - across the plateau

Walla Crag from Bleaberry Fell

Bleaberry Fell was soon reached and the clear path down to Wall Crag could be seen. The summit of Walla Crag is a beautiful place with great views over Derwent Water.

Derwent water from Wall Crag summit

On the way down

Little disappointed with myself as I messed up my final bit of navigation back to Ashness Bridge. I ended up on the Borrowdale Road which mean’t a mile or so of road walking back to Ashness Bridge. I had just glanced at the map and thought – ‘ I can’t go wrong’ – the obvious mistake was dropping down on a steep path, where I should have turned left after Walla Crag back on the plateau which would have taken me around Falcon Crag and then back down to Ashness Bridge.

A really enjoyable walk – about 6 miles OS OL 4