As pandemic restrictions lift it is possible to travel further to get a walk in. This one included a 100 mile round trip to Crowden for the start. I chose the longer in distance but shorter in time journey up the M1 and across the Woodhead Pass.
The walk was a there and back following the well defined , but rough track out of Crowden. There was an aoption for returning via Tooleyshaw Moor, but I didn't fancy a bog trot after all the recent rain we have had.
The first part of the walk was a steady climb out of Crowden to Laddow Rocks, to be rewarded with spectacular views across Crowden Brook valley.
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| Crossing one of the many tributaries to Crowden Brook |
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| Laddow Rocks |
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| Crowden Valley |
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| Overhang on Laddow Rocks |
Just coming down from Laddow Rocks, I met a fellow walker who was on day 2 of the Pennine Way , carrying all his gear as he intended to wild camp. In my opininion an awsome challenge. As the path descended further there were a series of fords to cross, and after the recent wet weather were all in full flow. I soon had wet feet despite my leather boots. On the last one , which was at least 2 foot deep, I decided to take my boots off off and paddle across. By then my fellow walker had caught up with me and waded straight through. He had no gaiters on so he had the rest of his day walking in boots full of water with no easy way of drying them out overnight....this is hard core walking !!
After the fords was easy going on a paved path across Grains Moss virtually all the way to the summit of Black Hill which is just below the 2000 ft mark.
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| Black Hill summit |
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| Paved path leaving the summit |
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| Disused quarry on the hill overlooking Crowden |
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| Outflow of Crowden Brook towards Torside Res |
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| Camp Site next to car park. |
A fine walk in near perfect conditions. I will definitely do this again and will probably attempt the horseshoe route rather than there and back. Also a pair of sandals to swap into for the ford crossings would be a good idea.
About 10 miles OS OL1 Dark Peak.
