David and Jacinta's Walks- 2025

Margery Hill and Outer Edge David, Paul, Greg and Mike David met with Paul, Greg and Mike at the Langsett Reservoir car park for one of our periodic walks. Paul and I had been rained off our walk up towards Cut Gate End some time ago, and before that Paul had had an unwelcome mud bath. Despite the heavy mist, we were optimistic about getting a good walk this time. Because of the recent snow and freezing weather, it was icy underfoot from time to time. Mike had his Kahtoola microspikes and I regretted leaving my lightweight crampons in the car!  The way up to Cut Gate End always takes longer than I anticipate and this was exacerbated by the lack of visibility. When we got there, we headed off south east to Margery Hill where a couple of other walkers kindly took a summit picture. Greg, Mike, Paul and David at Margery Hill trig The way up was made somewhat disconcerting as we could hear the wailing of a siren, reminiscent of an air raid warning, for ten minutes or so, before the stea...

Burbage (Buxton) and Macclesfield Old Road We decided to do a walk we did in August 2025 when the sun was out and the bracken was chest high. Today was very different. The weather at first seemed similar to yesterday, with a chill wind and bright sunshine. We walked up Macclesfield Old Road from a quiet residential street in Burbage and reached the open moorland when it began to snow. Although the walk was only 6 miles and on reasonable paths, we made a very sensible decision to turn around and go back, thereby completing a walk of less than 3 miles. It was a reminder that the weather in the hills can change very quickly and the walk will still be there for another, more clement day.

The Chinley Round We set out on a very chilly morning, via the coffee shop in Chinley, to do the customary round. The sun was beautiful and bright and it remained so for the duration of the walk. It does not take long to reach the Chinley Churn edge and we were rewarded by amazingly clear views in all directions. Nearing the top of Chinley Churn We walked on up to the base of South Head where we stopped and had lunch, perched on some boulders which have been placed there to deter motorists. South Head from our lunch spot perch There was a famous occasion where a number of vehicles were marooned at that spot, unable to progress any further. The final stage of the walk is scenic and a highlight was meeting the emus and their friend, a black hog at Hollands Farm. The handsome hog One emu was very curious as to what we were doing and he followed us for the length of his field. The curious emu We meandered back to the car, glad to have the opportunity to warm up. It was excellent to be able...

Fairholmes, Howden and Margery Hill As ever, to get out on a good walk on New Year's Eve seems like a fitting end to another year of our amblings in the Peak District. After parking and a coffee at Fairholmes, we approached the end of the Derwent Dam and were greeted by the spectacular sight of the reservoir overflowing the edge and cascading down the impressive gritstone wall. Cascade down the Derwent Dam We had not seen this sight for many years and it is good to see the reservoir so full after the severe drying out this summer. We made our way along the side of the reservoir and cut up to Howden Edge, which is a welcome change from the rather predictable route at the lower level. On the way up to Howden Edge It takes a fair degree of ascent to get up to the Margery Stones and it was very nice to dip out of the biting wind for lunch in the lee of the rocks. It was not a day to hang around and after walking on to Cut Gate, we made the decision to go down at this point. On a nice d...

Derbyshire Bridge, Axe Edge Moor and Danebower Hollow We headed out on Boxing Day, on a clear and cold morning. We started the walk from Derbyshire Bridge and then headed up to Axe Edge Moor.  On the way up to Axe Edge Moor Cat and Fiddle on the skyline It was very windy, but we put our heads down and continued on to Orchard Farm. Here we were able to pick up the Dane Valley Way, walking along a wide grassy track which is a legacy of all the Danebower quarries in the vicinity. These quarries were the sources of the stone roofing flags seen around the Peak District. On the way up from the Danebower Quarries The route then takes a more stony turn leading up to the large rectangular chimney below the A54. We are more used to approaching this chimney from above when doing the Three Shires Head walk for instance, so it is always interesting to approach somewhere familiar from a different direction.  The last sections of the walk were along the familiar path of Danebower Hollow to t...

Marsden, March Haigh and Standedge- David Solo I was off to Marsden, leaving a pleasant day in Heaton Moor. However, Marsden was definitely very grey and windy. The first section of the walk was beside the canal, but rather than continue along Waters Road, I took the path just beyond the entrances to the Standedge tunnels that goes up steeply through a private garden to the Kirklees way. This path traverses below Great Edge and meets the road just below Lower Green Owlers. The road ends at The Dean and I took the path up to the March Haigh Reservoir- not too muddy today. The reservoir is still undergoing extensive repairs, and is now completely drained, with what must be pumping equipment at the bottom centre of the (wet side of the) dam. Pumping equipment below dam Note depth markers (in yards) Empty Reservoir and March Haigh As I reached the top of March Haigh the mist came down and views weren't inspiring. Modest views After about a kilometre, the Pennine Way is reached and then...

Tegg's Nose, Trentabank and Chapel House- with Ann and Julian It had been a while since we'd been for a walk with Ann and Julian, and we had been invited for lunch at their home. It made sense to have a shortish walk close to their home and starting at Tegg's Nose made lots of sense. Unfortunately, the coffee shop was closed for a private function, so we couldn't start with a drink so we set off towards Trentabank, where we knew that the coffee waggon would  be open. Rather than walking up past the quarries of Tegg's Nose and making the very steep descent down Ward's Knob, we took the flagged path down to the ford just past Clough House. Jacinta and Ann on the way down past Clough House We passed the Teggsnose, Bottoms and Ridgegate Reservoirs and were happy to find that the coffee waggon by Trentabank was indeed open. The road past the reservoir was closed to traffic so it was quiet and we left it  after a brief spell on the tarmac, climbing up through the Macc...

Mortimer House, Back Tor and Agden- David and Paul David and Paul met for our occasional walk, and we agreed to meet at the layby just south of Mortimer House on Mortimer Road. The weather was forecast to be damp and misty, and it was pretty accurate! We had the option of walking to Back Tor via Dukes Road and Cartledge Stones Ridge and returning the same way, or continuing down Foulstone Road, past Dale Dike Reservoir and back via Agden Woods and Agden Side Road (Jacinta and my usual walk). Although the weather wasn't pleasant, neither of us likes to return via the same route, so we took the Dale Dike Reservoir etc. route. A somewhat damp but still good walk of 11.2 miles with 550m ascent.

Grize Dale and Nicky Nook with Steve Jeffs It had been a long time since we'd been out with Steve, long-time friend and sometime climbing partner of David. The last time David had been out with him was back in '23, when he'd walked Ben Nevis . We'd been in touch and agreed that we should meet again and Steve suggested a walk half way between our two homes, starting at Grizedale Bridge on the western edge of The Forest of Bowland. The car park itself was on the Harvey Map  but the rest of the walk wasn't! The first section of the walk was along Grize Dale through mainly broadleaf forest- very pleasant compared to conifer plantations. We passed a Wyre Council path maintenance team (mainly volunteers) in Christmas Elf hats, a very strange sight. After a brief stretch on a quiet road, we passed (another) Throstle Nest Farm and followed the Wyre Way to Scorton where we had refreshments at a café in a garden centre . Jacinta remembered that we'd met Dave and Helen the...

Moscar, Derwent Edge and Back Tor As so often at this time of year, the prospect of a dry day was too good to miss. We parked at our new favourite spot just below Moscar Cross and set off up the hill towards the Derwent Edge. It was entertaining to watch the sheep charging around after something, we know not what, had clearly spooked them. The way up to the edge is pleasant and the views west open up at the top. The Wheel Stones are always impressive- more so in the day's light. Jacinta strides past the Wheel Stones We continued along Derwent Edge with its many other gritstone formations. We eventually reached Back Tor where we had lunch again out of the wind and with a view. Lost Lad and Bleaklow from our lunch nook The route back was more into the wind and there was a considerable wind chill, but it was fun to negotiate our way from the Salt Cellar and across the moorland to pick up the footpath which returned us to our starting point.  A cold, but excellent little walk and worth...

Tintwistle, Chew Reservoir and Featherbed Moss (David Solo) Out on my own today, and not wanting to drive too far, so this walk from Tintwistle suited me well. As with the last couple of times that we've done this walk, I used the footpath to the west of Arnfield Farm rather than the bridleway with is a bit unforgiving underfoot. The walk across Boar Flat and Arnfield Flats was uneventful and it was really great to be able to identify the less boggy path across Ormes Moor again. It's always good to reach Chew Hurdles with its new vistas. The waymarker at Chew Hurdles with views of Dove Stones Reservoir and Alderman's Hill beyond I stopped for lunch at my favourite spot- sheltered and with a great view of  the track up to the dam and Dish Stone Moss. Now that the best path is familiar, the walk to the Chew Reservoir dam took only 20 minutes. At this point, I wondered about hacking my way directly to the trig point on Featherbed Moss, rather than going to the top of Laddow Mo...

Hathersage Moor and Stanage Edge With a dry, clear day forecast, we set off on a walk from Hathersage. The first section is unremarkable, along riverside paths to Leadmill Bridge. Then, following the river and later the pastures by the river, the footpath eventually enters  Coppice Wood. After a short section in woodland, the route goes uphill towards a railway bridge and then past the 15th century Padley Chapel. The next section through the wooded Padley Gorge beside Burbage Brook remains muddy and strewn with oak and beech leaves, but not as confusing as before. Negotiating the major footpath from the gorge, led us on to the Toad's Mouth and then to the Iron Age Fort of Carl Wark, where we stopped for lunch, out of the wind. We were graced with a rainbow as we ate. Rainbow over Higger Tor from our lunch spot  It was very blowy on the way up to Higger Tor, our next objective and along the edge to Burbage Bridge. The final section of the walk took us up to Stanage Edge where t...

Chinley and New Allotments (David Solo) Off for a walk on my own today, just to stretch my legs for a shortish walk. As ever, Chinley is convenient and the walk up to New Allotments isn't strenuous. Passing Throstle Bank and onto the bridleway, I passed a ram- this particular breed always looks a bit grumpy. This one didn't take exception to me and kept on grazing. Grumpy ram? The views weren't particularly inspiring over the New Allotments: A grey day at the New Allotments I crossed the Hayfield Road at Peep-O-Day but kept at the lower level, past Maynestone Farm, rather than going up Mount Famine or South Head. They'll be there next year. After crossing back over the Hayfield Road, I actually kept to the right-of-way on the OS map, past Hollands. This is possibly a less boggy path than our usual one and has the benefit of close encounters with a couple of emus, looking extremely bedraggled. To amuse emus on hot summer's nights... All in all, a satisfying Sunday wa...

Edale, Mam Tor and Rushup Edge It was one of those incredibly bright, late autumn days and we decided on a slightly longer, but not too taxing walk to make the most of it. After a stop at a beautifully Christmas decorated Penny Pot, we strode up to Hollins Cross and then on to Mam Tor. The classic "Walk up to Hollins Cross" picture Unlike our last visit, there were not many other walkers and the peace was welcome. As ever, once down the other side of Mam Tor and across the road, the crowds virtually disappeared as we walked steadily up to Lord's Seat, I was reminded of how we came to this same area to walk when David was recovering from his back operation. The path up from Mam Nick; blue skies and solitude The views across to Kinder were fantastic and the whole area seemed to be glowing in the sunlight. The route back to Edale via Chapel Gate is undemanding, if a little stony at times and we reached Edale Station in good time. The Great Ridge from Chapel Gate The moon was...