Walkers:-
Karen, Dave, John, Val, Anne, Jacqui ,Norman, Margaret, Glenn
We set off on the dot of 8 : 30 as the weather was bitter and not really ideal for hanging around.
There was a slight dusting of snow and the temperature was hovering at around zero. There was an early morning mist but it was soon lifting as we descended down the valleys of Dam Dale, Hay Dale and Peter Dale. By the time we got to the bottom of Peter Dale the sun had broken through and was warming up nicely.
Thankfully my route avoided Monk Dale…which is an experience in itself…but best not done on a long distance walk if you have a choice. From here we picked up the Pennine Bridleway and climbed up to the wonderfully named village of ‘Wormhill’ From here we dropped into Millers dale.We had our mid morning break here on a convenient log that more or less accommodated all of us. The usual banter and insults were banded around as we discussed the merits of abseiling off the viaducts etc. We didn’t hand around long as these deep limestone river dales act like fridges in the winter and we soon started to chill. I announced earlier that there were no real lung busting climbs on the walk..bar one short, sharp nasty indiscretion that now climbed out of Millers Dale. The little ‘rise’ consisted of steps that were space irregularly between 2 and 3 foot in depth. This led to no rhythm and they went on and on and on…just when you thought you were nearing the top they ramped up again….We eventually popped out above Priestcliffe all a little out of breath..including Norman!!!
From here we headed over the tops and down ‘High Dale’ and through the hamlet of Brushfield.
We soon started descending on the steepening, rocky track to Monsal Head and down to the rather impressive viaduct. The weather was positively Spring like as we made fast progress along the Monsal Trail and towards the tastefully converted mills at Cressbrook.
Lunch was to be had in Cressbrook Dale where we were greet by a heard of stampeding, wild(ish) horses. These looked like little Dartmoor ponies and appeared to be having a great time living semi wild in this lovely dale…they certainly shot up the fell side at a rate of knots..superb!!
Again, although we were bathed in what felt like early Spring sunshine it soon cooled off..reminding us we were still in the grip of Winter. Walking off our lunchtime excesses we made our way out past the ‘Peter Stone’ to emerge at Wardlow Mires cross roads (the location of the last Gibbet in the Peak District).We crossed by the rather strange looking ‘3 Stags Head’ pub and headed up through fields to Foolow. The next few miles of the walk consisted of crossing fields to reach Great Hucklow. We were greeted with fine views over towards the North East with Abney moor dominating the skyline. Due to the superb conditions the parasenders were out in force gliding gracefully on the thermals.
Our final climb of the day was alongside the Lead mining rake of Tideslow….now long abandoned and re naturalised it is still evident as a half mile long scar in the hill side. Its still quite a steady pull this late in the day and I think we were all relieved to get to the top.
The final couple of miles meant steady descending through fields back to the cars at Peak forest.
Great day out in perfect conditions.The walkers certainly got their monies worth in so far as a publicised walk of 18 miles was in fact nearer 21.