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.