Howden and Derwent Dams

Yesterday I had my first foray in to the world of Peak Park Ranger work. I was teamed up with two Rangers who were to give a guided walk around the dams. Three members of the public turned up for the walk. I hadn't realised that the ranger service conducted guided walks and whats more they are free. This is a great way of introducing people to the beauty of the Peak Park.

We set off from the Fairholmes, walking below Derwent dam wall and then followed the dam road right until a path appeared that climbed, via a resting stop at a barn halfway up, to Derwent Edge high above the dams. The walk followed the ridge reaching Back Tor trig point. The land owners were burning heather in the valley below and we some how managed to walk all round the smoke, without being engulfed. The smell was wonderful and added to the autumnal feel of the day. Droppoing down via Abbey Bank we regained the dam road and then back to the visitor centre.

During the walk the rangers explained the industrial history of the area and also the construction of the dams. I like this kind of thing. I am very interested in the industrial and human history of areas, as well as the fauna and flora. It may be something I start to delve more into as time permits.

The total length of the walk was 12 km and the total time including lunch 4 hrs. Next weekend another day with the rangers beckons, of which I am looking forward.

Ranger Training

I'm all excited as I have my first pre-visit training for the ranger service this sunday coming. Ranger service is something I have always wanted to do and now that I have time to devote to it I thought I would apply. Much to my amazement I was accepted as a possible candidate.

There is a little trepidation, as although the ranger service provides a huge amount of information I don't quite know what to expect. I will be spending the day with one of the rangers who will be assessing my suitability.

So fingers crossed.

No Ships and No Castle !!!

After missing out on my first OFC walk yesterday, due to having to visit a smoke salmon factory in Scotland during the week, I was itching to get out and about. I also wanted to visit somewhere I have not been before and secrete a cache for people to find. Caching is not every ones idea of fun I know and it is anorak time. So it's perfect for me. Computers, walking, GPS, maps, treasure, what more could a man want.

I decided on a route above the Derwent Valley. Starting from Fairholmes visitor centre. Just before I set off I remembered that whilst I had made and packed my lunch, I had forgotten to eat breakfast. Can you imagine that. What could I possibly do?? Well, fortunately, the visitor centre has a caff which, surprise, surprise, sells ,tea and more importantly Bacon Sarnies. Of course it would be remiss of me to pass the opportunity up, so I sat for a while looking at the map and comforting myself.

9.30am and still not out of the car park. Won't do at all, so it's off we go.

Leaving the car park, immediately across the road is a path that rises through the tree plantations. I don't know what it is about plantations, but I like walking through them. Care has to be taken at present, as they are carrying out logging operations. The track does not always follow OS, but it does bring you out at the right point. A stile between the woods and a field. I was beaten to the stile by a couple of marauding kids, who then proceeded to count through the other 19 of their mates making 22 in all, plus 4 adults. The young lad, give him credit, stood there counting with a self satisfied grin which he kept aiming at me and my waiting. Once through and calmed down I rose to a further gate and turned left to walk past Lockerbrook Farm. Obviously where the kids had come from. A planning sign notified the passerby of intention to fit a steel chimney for a wood burning stove. So, the little darlings may have been very cold last night. See there is a God!!

Follow the track along until you come to the junction of 4 tracks. Walk back a bit as you have just missed your turning to the right, via the access land sign, that takes you on to Alport Castle, the ultimate destination. Follow this path along the ridge. The weather here was foul, driving rain and wind. I muttered several thoughts about weather forecasters, only to remember this is what they HAD forecast. Eventually after reaching a wall, you reach a paved track along the top of the ridge. Follow this until The Tower comes in to view. A footpath leads down to the Tower. It is well worth a visit, but take care the stones are very slippery.

Alport Castles is a strange and slightly spooky place. Up on the moors, miles from anywhere, it just should not be there. Apparently, this is Englands biggest landslip and you can see why. It is an eerie place, very quiet, with looming rock formations. In the mist it was even more enigmatic.

Tracing the path back up you return whence you came for 5 yards and then take a path off the ridge to your right and follow this down to Alport Farm at the bottom. The views down the valley are breathtaking here, especially with the sun giving a light show through scudding clouds.

Woodlands Valley

On reaching the farm, follow the track along to eventually reach the A 57 Snake Road. Be careful on exiting the stile as you are straight on to the road. Cross here and follow the path around to gain a ford, walk across, it isn't deep and follow the route of the water course down the valley.

You will turn a corner and suddenly be faced with the most unexpected site. A football field complete with goal posts. Heaven knows why or better still who plays here, but it must be one of the most unusual fixtures on a Saturday. Continue on until you reach Rowley Bridge and cross back over the Snake here. Climb past Hagg Farm centre and regain the point where four paths meet. Once here, it is a simple matter of retracing you steps until you reach Fairholmes again and a cup of well earned tea.

This is a lovely walk through some wonderful parts of the high peak estate. Rugged and beautiful, it epitomises all that the National Park should be. If people want details of the walk then let me know and I will send the file through. The total length is 9.5 miles and a good 3.5 hours should see it off.

If you want to know more about the treasure or indeed take part in the hunt then visit the competition page on the wapentac website for more details.

Saturday 3rd October Burbage Edge

A blustery October weekend brought not only the first real taste of the autumnal cold but also a favourite walk along estate tracks and gritstone edges. The walk starts and finishes in front of Longshaw Lodge on the National Trust Longshaw Estate. With easy access for public transport and parking, this is one of the most popular areas for walking in the peak district national park.

The Longshaw estate has an interesting history, once a shooting lodge, frequented by royalty; it now serves as a focal point for the natural history of the area, with talks and guided tours being carried out throughout the year.

The walk starts by taking you into the depths of the estate by following a well designated path to be found to the left of the lodge and along a ha-ha. This is not a laugh, but a centuries old device for keeping livestock away from the house, whilst maintaining the illusion of a continuous sward of grass. The pasture land in front of you is where the annual Longshaw Sheepdog Trials take place. Continuing on through a gate you cross moor land to reach a road. Turn right and then re-enter the estate taking a path down through marsh land a woods to reach a lane via the back of a house. Walk down this lane and cross the busy Grindleford road at Nether Padley to reach the railway station at Grindleford. The cafe at Grindleford station is somewhat of an institution particularly for its notices telling you what you may or more frequently may not do. Do not be discouraged, the food is cheerful and plentiful and a pint mug of tea is just the order on a blustery day. You can drink your tea whilst watching trains arrive through the Totley Tunnel and why not, you have just spent the last hour or so walking all over it.

Having being refreshed you walk across the road bridge to enter Padley Gorge, first stopping to admire the small chapel, all that remains from a manor house of the 14th century The area more recently was testament to the days when this area was thronging with people working in the local quarries producing the distinctive gritstone grinding wheels for the cutlers in Sheffield. A steep climb up a well made lane brings you into the wooded gorge and what a treat this is. Numerous waterfalls of Burbage Brook tumble down the gorge from your starting point. The area is on of Special Scientific Interest for its flora and fauna so take care where you put your feet. A clear path over rocks and stones leads the way to the top where a small bridge takes you back to the Longshaw. However, we turn left through a deep gully to reach the Sheffield to Hathersage road at Owler Tor.

Whilst here a small detour to the left is rewarded with a breathtaking and unexpected view down the Hope Valley to Castleton. It is no coincidence that this is called Surprise View and certainly seems to be for many speeding motorists.Turn immediately right at Owler Tor and walk across heath land on undefined paths. You may have to pick your way through, but you will also release the smell of heather, which in autumn is wonderful. You are aiming for a well trodden path that takes you up to the iron age fort of Carl Wark, to be seen on the horizon for miles around. A brief climb brings you into the fort and you can spend time wondering what it must have been like back then when this was occupied. If it was anything like today, very windy indeed. Looking up you will see what appears to be another fort on the horizon. This is Higger Tor a natural feature and your next waypoint. Follow the clear path between the two to attain the summit.

Once at the road, ignore footpaths to the right and go straight ahead across the road, more moor land and reaching another road; follow this down until you reach a car park. From the car park walk along the valley bottom until you reach another road, where a footpath to your right takes you through woodland and up a stiff climb to bring you out on Stanage Edge.On reaching the top spend a moment to take in the panorama that is before you, in the distance you can see Mam Tor and beyond the Kinder plateau. Behind the Don and Dearne Valleys of industrial South Yorkshire. To your left, Burbage Edge, Higger Tor, Froggatt and Curbar Edge and in the far distance the Chatsworth Estate.

Stanage Edge Climbers

Turn right heading back towards the Longshaw Estate, soon you will come to the Stanage Pole, a little off the path to your left. It is worth a small detour if only for a sit down and a photo opportunity. Stanage Pole is a marker for the ancient driver’s road that went from Cheshire to Sheffield. Back on to the path this is a simple ridge walk past some beautiful scenery and giving stunning views. You will be joined in the area by a plethora of climbers. This has been a breeding ground for some of the best climbers in the world and continues to be so, although it is strange to see so many walking to the rocks with mattresses on their back!! Keep walking until you pass a trig point and come to a road. Before you is Burbage Edge and below that is the wooded valley that separates the edge from Higger Tor and Carl Wark. To your left is an ice cream van, which is much more important on a hot day, hopefully the van will be selling 99's with a flake.

Take up the trail again along Burbage Edge and follow this until you see the main Sheffield to Hathersage road again. On the way, notice the small but perfectly built stone bridge over Burbage Brook in the valley below, beneath Carl Wark. Now cross the road and regain the Longshaw Estate, taking the rising path through the pasture and arriving back at Longshaw Lodge and the National Trust visitor centre and cafe. If you have timed the walk well, you will be able to sit at the outside tables, drink tea and eat scones and cream, ice cream van permitting!!, whilst gazing out to Higger Tor and Carl Wark.

This is a wonderful walk and can be broken in to several circular routes that would be ideal for families especially those with small children.

On a fine day you will have experienced moor land, heath land, rocks, gorges, waterfalls, ancient history not to mention ice cream, egg and chips and large mugs of tea.

Have a good week all of you.