I’m currently sat at work with a mizzling February Afternoon outside of the window, it’s a slow afternoon and that has given my mind chance to wander into thoughts of the coming spring and hopefully with it the ability to get back out into the great outdoors, so in preparation for being able to get our boots on again, I thought I would share 2 of my favourite spots around my favourite national park; the Peak District.
The Peak District has always held a special place in my heart, it might not have the biggest, and it might not be the most picturesque, however it was the first National Park in England and it was the first National Park that captured my imagination as a child. I have fond memories of driving up with my Grandad on a Saturday morning to spend the day exploring the caves of Castleton or the Fells of Featherbed moss, all finished off with a J2O (or once I was of age a couple of jars of Guinness) in a local pub in front an open fire as the sun set over a jagged skyline. These represent some of my favourite memories and I hope that should you decide to go exploring, you also find some of the same charm I did.
Castleton via Mam Tor and Great Ridge – 9.5miles – 5-7 hours
First off I have to start with my favourite place in all of the peaks… Castleton and Hope Valley. As a child I loved visiting Castleton and the neighbouring Mam Tor, the drama of the destroyed road snaking its way up the hillside and the carnage left behind by the landslip provides plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and climb. The road provides ample free parking at the top or bottom and also has easy access to two of the region’s most famous caverns: Blue John Cavern, and Treak Cliff Cavern each an exciting adventure deep underground for both adults and kids alike. Reaching the top of the road and taking a right turn leads you up to the first trig point at Mam Tor summit (517m) a short but steep climb leads you onto the ridge where the whole hope valley is laid out before you giving excellent photo opportunities in the early morning as the valley unfolds away to the east.
From here the route takes you along great ridge and undulates along to the next high points of Back Tor and Lose Hill, both providing a different view of the valley laid out beneath you, from here you can choose one of two paths leading you either directly downhill into the village of Hope, or taking the left fork will guide you down a slightly more rugged and less well used track to add in an extra km or so. Whichever path you choose will lead you to a little hidden gem in the form of the Cheshire Cheese Inn dating back to the 16th century, anyone over the height of 5’6” beware of low beams!
Right: The 16th Century Inn serving a range of locally brewed ales.
Once you have refreshed yourself at the Inn you will wander down into the village of hope, crossing the road and heading up a lane you will find a beautiful riverside path winding along for around 2 miles along the banks of Peakshole Water before arriving in the neighbouring village of Castleton, here you can find a variety of trinket shops and visitor centres to satisfy any retail needs you may have, and why not sample another local ale in any number of welcoming pubs along the main road. Sadly the circuit is nearly to a close, but if your thirst for adventure is not quite quenched you can head up into the nosebleeds of Castleton and find yet another cavern called Peak Cavern (or colloquially as Devils Arse) which has the largest natural cave opening in Europe I’m led to believe!
All in all, at a leisurely pace and with plenty of stops for exploring and refreshments this route will take you anywhere from 5 to 7 hours and covers a distance of around 9.5 miles and I cannot recommend it highly enough, however can be busy in good weather and on weekends.
Edale and Kinder Reservoir via Jacobs Ladder – 10-12 miles – 6-7 hours.
Edale and Kinder Reservoir via Jacobs Ladder 8-10 miles
A longer and more rugged hike just over the hill from the last route will take you along the first few miles of the revered Pennine Way, a pleasant start through farmers’ fields and along the foothills is soon pushed aside by the steep incline that is Jacobs ladder. Another route introduced to me by my Grandad and later explored with my best friend on out completion of the Pennine Way, a hike that no matter how many times I complete it always seems to have a different climate and weather.
Starting from Edale train station you head up the lane to the old nags head pub, from here take a left and follow the trail along the Pennine Way trail until you reach the toughest part of the day (always best to get it out of the way early doors I say) Jacobs Ladder. You will come across a picturesque packhorse bridge indicating the start of the short but steep climb up to Kinder Scout. As you reach the top of Kinder Scout you will be greeted by the Kinder Low trig point which rather oxymoronically is the highest point in the whole Peak District at 633m! You now have a choice to make, how to return…
Right: The view you are greeted with once you manage to catch your breath at the top!
The first and easiest (but arguably most boring) is to just return along the same path. The second option is to continue along until you reach one of the most beautiful picture opportunities in the national park… Kinder Downfall. During summer months this usually dried up river presents an exciting craggy rock face but during wetter months you can usually find a cascading torrent emitting a mist that when the conditions are just so, creates a rainbow in the valley, a truly just reward for the effort you have put in to get here and an excellent spot to stop for lunch!
From Kinder Downfall you will slowly descend to Kinder reservoir, heading southwest and south around the reservoir along the road, you will reach a footpath leading you up the opposing side of the valley, eventually you will come to a crossroad and another choice to make… you can either head left and back to the Kinder Low trig point and back to Edale that way, or if you’d prefer a more circular route you can continue straight ahead leading to another photo opportunity at Edale Cross dating back to mediaeval times. From here you will come back to Jacobs ladder and meander down returning to the old nags head for a well-deserved pint of whatever takes your fancy!
Leave a comment and let me know what you’re planning when we can all get back to what we love!
7 Summit Stories 