Peak District - Derwent Edge 28th October 2014

Peak District - Derwent Edge 28th October 2014

Lost Lad - 10 Miles, 5.5hrs

A rather sunny end of October day, and an ideal chance for a Peak District walk.
We had been at a concert at Sheffield Arena (rock band Black Stone Cherry), the night before and stayed over in Sheffield.

We had done "Lost Lad" a few years ago and enjoyed the walk so thought it would make a good jaunt amongst the Autumn leaves along the reservoir mixed with some height and longer views.

We parked by the side of the road just up from the main Fairholmes car park, so parked for free. It was then just a short 5 mins or so to Fairholmes and only another few minutes then to the start point at the Derwent dam.

The Autumnal trees were impressive with the light catching them on such a pleasant day.

Heading up a track, through the trees you can see above, took us to the main wide track running alongside the Derwent reservoir. It was then an enjoyable and flat stroll for about two miles along this.

We headed right off the track at Abbey Bank, quite steeply zig-zagging back, and then across to give the view down to the reservoir.

We then headed away from the reservoir and across more open moorland.

Eventually meeting more rockier, rugged, grit-stone terrain, and the rather unique rock formations and "Lost Lad." The hill of Lost Lad gets its name and its impressive cairn from a story of a shepherd boy who got lost and lost his life on the moors in a severe blizzard. It wasn't until the spring that another shepherd passing by found the lost shepherd's body and by it written on a rock were the words "Lost Lad".

The high summit of Back Tor has some very impressive grit stone formations.

The views from Back Tor are quite unusual, there aren't many places in the Peak you can see so many of its highest features. The Great Ridge, Derwent Valley Reservoirs, Stanage Edge, Bleaklow and Kinder Plateau can all be seen from this viewpoint.

Passing various rock formations with names such as "Cakes of Bread", "Salt Cellar" all adds interest to this walk, before a relatively easy descent down after about three miles walking along the ridge.

Ladybower reservoir seen on descent

Nice path.

Then an easy walk back along the edge of the reservoir to the car park about another three miles.

A fairly long walk altogether, though not too taxing from an ascent/desent point of view, with great views and interesting rock formations.

A cup of soup at the car park facilities, and then home at 15:30 as it's starting to get dusky pretty soon now at this time of year.

roll on spring 2015!

Our Walk Score: 7.5/10

Lake District 2nd October 2014

Lake District  Thursday 2nd October 2014

After a couple of poor, rainy, days Tues/Weds, we were ready for a long walk and Thursday the weather was much improved, so off we went, heading for Grisedale Pike.

Grisedale Pike 7.5 Miles, 6.5 Hrs 

 

We parked up just outside the village of Braithwaite, in a small free car park just off the road past the village, heading for Winlatter. Room for about six or so vehicles. We arrived fairly early at 09:00 and set off uphill through a forest track from the car park, no easy start on this one!

After a steep uphill push through the forest, the views opened out, and we rested to admire the views on a blue sky day.

We continued to follow a valley track that started to ascend upwards again for about two miles, before it became much more stony.

The view ahead to Grisedale Pike. Nearer the top there was a scrambly section which takes a little negotiating, not too bad, but does requires use of both arms and legs.

Below: The view from the summit of Grisedale Pike (2593ft), yes thats Sue (bottom left in photo) already descending to our next goal, she is very keen! Hopegill Head is the peak in the very centre of the picture.

Above: View of Hopegill Head

And finally we were there, resting on top of Hopegill Head (2526ft), wonderful open views.

We descended down to Sand Hill and then followed the Mine Track down into the valley, a stoney winding path for about a mile or so, before levelling down to Force Crag Mine. This part of the walk felt a bit tedious, we've walked it on a previous visit, and it's quite slow-going due to the terrain.

From the mine it's then an easier two miles or so back to Braithwaite along a well constructed pretty flat path (wide enough for a vehicle for mine access). Enjoying the valley views.

We alighted back at the car park at 15:30, taking 6.5 hours and a lovely day but quite tired with the ascents and descents.

A funny little coincidence took place on this walk: a fortnight previously, when tackling Helvellyn, a lady was walking the same route up as us. Along the way we had a chat with her, she lives in the Lake District and had climbed Helvellyn several times previously.
After ten minutes or so we bade her good day and off she went on a different route down.

So, fortnight later and we start off on our walk to Grisedale Pike, who was walking the same route at the same time? Yep same lady...


Our Walk Score: 8/10