News Archive (June 2021)

Wednesday 30 June

Burbage

Burbage Moor, Ox Stones, Houndkirk Hill, Wild Moor, Stones Edge, Padley Gorge, Surprise View, Higger Tor

Leader & Photos: John

16 completed a 10 mile circuit from Upper Burbage Bridge to Padley Mill.
The walk crossed a variety of terrains starting with the heather clad Burbage and Houndkirk Moors, then down the Wild Moor Stones Edge to the meadow below the Longshaw Estate for lunch, and continuing down the wooded Padley Gorge past the Money Tree before crossing the first bridge to descend the left bank of the brook as far as the Mill.

Padley Gorge Money Tree

Then up through the old Bole Hill millstone quarry workings, up the climbers’ path and crossing Lawrence Field to Surprise View.

The group at Mother Cap

Higger Tor from Carl Wark

Elephant’s Arse rock formation

The final part of the walk crossed the gritstone tors of Hathersage Moor including the prominent Mother Cap, the mysterious Carl Wark fort, and then finally skirting the Elephant’s Arse rock formation before crossing Higger Tor back to the parking.

Monday 28 June

South Chesterfield Way

Stubbing Court, Clay Cross

Leader: Mike

A welcome return for the South Chesterfield Way to Clay Cross, a walk which was unfortunately cancelled last year, along with the rest of the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival.

One of our four Ramblers led walks in this year’s festival, 13 walkers together with two dogs, enjoyed a good route via Holymoorside and Stubbing Court, despite some afternoon rain.

Saturday 26 June

Litton

Tideswell Dale, Litton Slack, Cressbrook Dale, Wardlow

Leader: Isobel

Eighteen ramblers including some members from other local groups met by Litton village green for a 7.5 mile walk.
The weather to start with was not as warm as expected in late June but during the afternoon the sky turned blue, and the temperature rose.
We began by going across fields to Tideswell Dale.
Then down Tideswell Dale to Millers Dale where it turned uphill to Litton Slack, for a coffee stop.
After walking through Cressbrook a narrow path through woods and a steep descent down steps led into Cressbrook Dale.

Here there was a brief divergence of routes with some people choosing to stay on the concessionary path along the valley bottom and others climbing up the eastern side of the valley to get the view from higher up.
Both groups joined up for lunch in the valley bottom.
The walk then continued past Peter’s Stone towards Wardlow. Just before the road it bent back heading towards Mires Lane and then followed another concessionary path around the top of Tansley Dale before returning to Litton.
From this path there were impressive views back down the valley towards Peter’s Stone.
The wildflowers seen included orchids and milkwort. The butterflies seen included the Green Fritillary.

Sunday 20 June

Ashford in the Water

Little Shacklow Wood, Magpie Mine, Monyash, Deep Dale, Hob’s House, Fin Cop

Leader & Photos: John

Little Shacklow Wood                                     

Assorted flowers: early purple orchid at Hard Rake; speedwell and common rock rose on Fin Cop

‘The piper of Shacklow
The fiddler of Fin
The old woman of Demon’s Dale
Calls them all in’

(traditional rhyme from Ashford in the Water)

17, including two visitors from Devon did a 12 mile circuit from Ashford in the Water, up through Little Shacklow Wood, via Magpie Mine to the outskirts of Monyash and a return via Hard Rake, Deep Dale and the Wye valley – before following a vague path splitting off from the main route up to Monsal Head through the wood to the Hob’s House cave and associated landslip rock towers.
Thereafter the path disappeared but we were able to ascend the steep scarp of Fin Cop via its terracettes and then to the summit before descending Pennyunk Lane back to Ashford.
Hob’s House and Fin Cop are steeped in myth and history.

Rock tower sentinel near Hob’s House (last year’s recce image)

Wednesday 16 June

Hartington

Wetton, Hopedale, Alstonefield, Narrowdale

Leaders: Terry & Eileen    Photos: John

A venture into the Staffordshire Peak on a glorious day.

Looking over the Manifold Valley

Skirting around Narrowdale Hill

Saturday 12 June

Monyash

Leader: Mel

Starting from the picturesque village of Monyash, 11 members followed a route, taking in the hamlets of Flagg and Pomeroy, enhanced by sightings of brown hares.
A walk along the High Peak Trail rewarded all with excellent views to the south west and a trail bounded on both sides with abundant wild flowers.
Following a leisurely lunch stop at Parsley Hay the return journey skirted Arbor Low, spotting a low flying curlew, before crossing Cales and Fern Dales to return to Monyash.
Here several of us enjoyed a well-earned ice cream, taking in the brilliant sunshine along with the many other people, spread over the village green and enjoying this wonderful location.

Sunday 6 June

Bleaklow

Leader & Photos: John

15 enjoyed better weather than forecast to explore Bleaklow West.
The route from Birchin Clough parking ascended the wooded Lady Clough, thence via the Doctors Gate path and Crooked Clough up to the first ‘Ethel’ of the day (Higher Shelf Stones at 621m).

Hern Stones

We paid our respects to the Super Fortress wreck before crossing the moor to the Hern Stones and then on to the Wain Stones, dubbed the Kissing Stones by Alfred Wainwright, for lunch.

Wain Stones

Bleaklow Head is easily reached from here and comprised the second ‘Ethel’ of the day at 633m.
The return was by the Pennine Way path before diverting down to Grains in the Water, via Hern Clough. Finally up and over Over Wood Moss before the very steep descent back to the parking.

Cloud Berry

Wednesday 2 June

Alport Dale

Leader & Photos: John

Birchin Clough, Cowms Moor, Alport Tower, Oyster Clough

14 took advantage of the good weather to complete a modest but strenuous 8.5 mile circuit with 2000ft of ascent from Birchin Clough on the Snake Pass road.
The route took the Roman Road and skirted Cowms Moor to Heyridge Farm, where a bull and cows either side of the gate caused a slight delay.
Onward to Alport Castles farm and then up towards the Castles before deviating left to climb The Tower.

Lunch break below the Castles gave an opportunity to see the swooping peregrine falcons there.

Despite the wet May the Alport river could be crossed without getting wet feet.
It was then up and over the moor to Oyster Clough and back to the Roman Road.