Not gonna lie, bit of a leg burner this one!
It’s an Edale circular, enjoying the valley(s) from a range of viewpoints, high and low. We’ll meet outside Edale Village Hall, located in the car/coach park across the road from Edale train station, where there are public toilets (for the tactical pre-walk preparations).
Heading north up the road, we’ll pass the start/end point of the Pennine Way, onto our first ascent – the “unforgiving” GRINDSBROOK CLOUGH. Avoiding use of the word ‘easy’, this is a light-hearted clamber amidst boulders, providing a rocky path tucked into a valley. At the top, there’s a cluster of weird and whacky rock formations, and *spectacular views back across the Vale of Edale (*weather dependent). Feel free to try conquering the ‘giant mushroom’ rock – you’ll see it.
From here, it’s a trig point hunt! We’ll head east, skirting the skyline. Be warned (but not put off!) that before the rocks of RINGING ROGER, we’ll abandon the path to brave the bogs of EDALE MOOR (Kinder Scout). There’s a trig point here (dedicated to the Viking Venture Scout Unit) that I have wanted to find for ages, and recently stumbled (quite literally) across. To my knowledge, there is no designated path to this trig, so it’s a good opportunity to tick it off! I’ll enjoy having company in rediscovering it from a different direction, and a bit of fun hopping from tussock to tussock. We may get lucky with extensive northward views towards Alport Moor and the Upper Derwent Valley.
I have a view to then trace MADWOMAN’S STONES and rejoin the path at CROOKSTONE KNOLL, where we can relax for a bit, dropping through fields, catching a glimpse of Ladybower Reservoir and enjoying the nearby spur of Nether Moor, before our route clashes with an old Roman road and the Hope Cross landmark.
We’ll drop onto lovely (i.e. potentially muddy) riverside paths along the Noe, which may prove to be the calm before the storm as we swoop under the railway and brace ourselves for a spirited push up LOSE HILL (WARD’S PIECE) and onto HOLLINS CROSS. Ending on a high, we may be gifted with *spectacular 360 views (*again, weather dependent).
Then it’s the last leg(olas), dropping leisurely back into Edale for a well-earned beverage of your choice and to get warm/cool off before home.
There are plenty opportunities to stay low or shorten the route in light of any contingencies, but these diversions also make for pleasant scenery – it’s a win-win. Equally, if it’s a peach of a day and the team are feeling monstrous, we can sneak Mam Tor in at the end! The opportunities are endless.
TERRAIN: A mixed bag of a rocky scramble, muddy footpaths, off-path access land (bogs), paving and fields. We will be pretty much walking up a stream, and trudging over open moorland, so keep an open mind to the prospect of wet feet!! The off-path section should be a maximum of around 2km (famous last words).
ASCENT: total of 650m (350m - Edale to Hartshorn/Edale Moor trig point at 590m; 300m - Town Head Bridge to Lose Hill at 476m/Hollins Cross)
GEAR: As always, come prepared for all conditions (i.e. layers, waterproofs), bring plenty food and water, and decent walking boots/footwear with good grip – whilst the initial scramble isn’t strenuous, to slip would be a ‘rockie error’....
(Bad jokes also essential – I’d like to hear them all).
Given the description provided above, I’ll leave it to your discretion as to whether you bring your doggo!
Leader: Phil D (07923953338)
Distance: 12 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Start/End: Edale Village Hall https://what3words.com/handicaps.feathers.tenure
Transport: TRAIN: 09:14 from Sheffield to Edale (bound for Manchester), arriving 09:46.
CAR SHARE: I am travelling from Huddersfield and can offer a lift to 3 people on a first-come-first-served basis. I don't mind heading into the western (Peak District) side of Sheffield to pick you up (I've got a bit of a trek on anyway!). Message me directly if you would like a lift.
If anyone else plans to drive and can offer a lift to others, this would be appreciated – feel free to arrange this between yourselves, post on the SWG Facebook page, or message me – I'm happy to facilitate.
Parking is available at Edale train station and at the car park where the Village Hall is, at a cost. If anyone knows of any free parking, shout up!