Wednesday December 31st

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 day in June it would have been ideal to walk on to the Crow Stones, but not on this occasion as the wind was biting. The views from the top are fantastic and we really enjoyed stopping briefly to take in the scenery on the way down. 

Path down from Cut Gate
Bull Stones in the background

At the Slippery Stones the path levels out and then it's a case of making the substantial walk back to the walk back to Fairholmes and the car. I'm glad that we were not doing that walk in the dark; the gathering dusk was sufficiently atmospheric. A great end to 2025.

A walk of 12.3 miles with 560m ascent.



Popular posts from this blog

Saturday October 25th

Image
Great Hucklow, Abney Moor and Bradwell-  FSSW Reunion Jeremy, Sarah, Dave, David, David, Ann and Cathy Jeremy, Lucy, Dave, David, David, Ann and Cathy This was the walk that David and Jacinta had scoped the previous week  in preparation for David's FSSW Yeargroup Reunion. We started from the Nightingale Centre in Great Hucklow and started up the byway nearly opposite, leaving it to join the footpath to avoid the motorbikes. Celia and Candia joined the team as far as the road across Hucklow Edge, and Shri's knees survived until the stream crossing by the disused waterworks building.  Glider under tow (or Skoda glider?) at the gliding club on Hucklow Edge Riders on the Hucklow Edge road The path across the field below Camphill Farm seems to be a little elusive- David went south of it this time, rather than north as last time! We were lucky in that the weather was fine with good visibility although there was a chill in the breeze. Shatton Edge with Derwent Edges in the dista...
Read more

Saturday January 3rd

Image
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...
Read more

Tuesday December 16th

Image
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...
Read more