David and Jacinta's Walks- 2025

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...

Langsett to Howden Edge Out on Wednesday for our second walk in preparation for The Dolomites and this time from Langsett. After a coffee stop with a great collection of mountaineering and walking books, we left Langsett Barn car park and walked along beside the Langsett Reservoir. Looking back to the Langsett Reservoir from the Cut Gate bridleway The route then flows easily along Mickleden Edge and Cut Gate, rising gently through the fantastic swathes of pink heather at this time of year.  Path sign above Mickleden Edge We stopped for lunch, enjoying the views and the solitude. From the cairn at Howden Edge there was a little bit of bog negotiation to reach the trig point at Outer Edge. Quick break at Outer Edge trig point. Note: Jacket on, sun hat in backpack pocket The path from this point was a little more sketchy but we made our way to the left of Harden Grough, passing boundary stone with the letter B chiselled on the face. Apparently these stones relate to the grouse shoots ...