Stanage Edge 29.12.13

A circular walk, 5.3 miles, 3 - 4 hours.

A classic Peak District walk taking in some of the most recognisable and dramatic landscapes in the region. Ideal for a Sunday stroll to blow away those cobwebs.

The Christmas holidays were almost over, and that meant it was time to get out into the hills to get some air prior to returning to the stresses and normality of the working week.
 I had promised my boss a guided walk of Stanage Edge earlier in the year, and this holiday made for an ideal time to do it. So unusually for a walk from me, this time I would not be using public transport to get to the location, I was being treated to a car journey.

Stanage Edge or simply Stanage (from Stone Edge) is a Gritstone escarpment that is the edge of a large section of steep moorland that climbs out of the west of Sheffield. Its distinctive geology has been used in various documentaries and films including Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. And the government's website for the Peak District national park uses the image of Stanage Edge for its title page.

Stanage Edge is usually climbed by folk that drive to the location. I last climbed this distinctive high point a couple of years ago, navigating from near-by Hathersage railway station. The beauty of being able to drive to Stanage Edge is that there are plenty of free parking spots, plus you avoid 2 miles of walking and 500 feet of ascent before you start walking on Stanage Edge itself, so this walk was going to be a little easier than normal.

I had selected the car park at Hook's Car to be the starting point of the walk. This is a popular starting point, and for the benefit of the 7 people I was giving the guided tour, you get a good view of Stanage Edge in its entirety.
This shot was taken as we arrived and were about to set off...

We took the right hand gap in the wall, that allows you out of the car park and onto the side of Stanage Edge. It's a well trodden path that is easy to see and follow up onto the top...


The plateau of Stanage Edge, or the cliff top - is a boulder strewn, wind swept area that is well walked and is usually pretty busy. This is a very popular destination for hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, and families enjoying the wild scenery.
When we made it to the plateau we turned right...

It's a short distance from the car park at Hook's Car to the first summit of the day of Stanage Edge at 457 metres...

After arriving at the first summit it was time for some refreshment before continuing on. We then doubled back towards where we ascended Stanage Edge, but this time we continued on north west across the plateau...

Stanage Edge has some of the finest scenery in the Peak District. The whole area could be something from a Henry Moore exhibition - typical Peak District rock formations of Mill Stone Grit...





The path remains easy to follow and can become boggy in places. On windy days, like this one, the edge can subject you to some hefty gusts.
 Here the highest and most easily recognisable point of Stanage Edge up ahead now - High Neb...

Stanage Edge is a magnet for climbers from all over. Some well known climbers and mountaineers have cut their teeth here on the tricky traverses. The Mill Stone Grit is also a good place to learn climbing on a rock that is naturally easy to grip, so climbers of all ages, skill and knowledge can be found here...

Keeping to the highest path allows you up onto the flanks of High Neb...

High Neb summit is marked by a Trig Point at 458 metres...

A sort of highlights of the Peak District is on show from High Neb. In the above picture the moor directly opposite is Bamford Moor, the shadowed highpoint on the horizon directly above the Trig Point is Mam Tor, the small pointy hill behind Bamford Moor and just to the right of the Trig Point is Win Hill, the large mass to the right of Win Hill and slightly cloud covered is Kinder Scout, and shadowed to the right of that is Bleaklow.
 Here looking across Bamford Moor towards the Sun shafting through a rain storm behind Shatton Edge...

And looking south east back along Stanage Edge, note the 20th centuary built Grouse drinking bowl cut into the rock...

From the summit Trig Point it's a matter of continuing north west for another 400 yards or so where a distinctive path allows you to descend left from the cliff top. The path then continues south east along the base of High Neb...

This part of Stanage Edge at one point in time was worked for its Mill Stone Grit, where Mill Stones were literally cut from the rock on-site. Here unwanted Mill Stones scatter the base of the edge...


The path along the base of High Neb is easy to follow. We ignored the path that cuts right and brings you out onto a road. We opted instead for the more interesting footpath that continues along the base of Stanage Edge...

The path eventually reascends the side of Stanage Edge again, which means a steep climb back to the top of the cliff side at the half way point of Stanage Edge. The route then continues on the top of Stanage Edge again for a good 3/4 of a mile towards a point on the map called Robin Hood's Cave - before another path cuts right from the main path allowing you to climb down from the cliff top and follow another easy to follow path along the base of Stanage Edge. Here descending from Stanage Edge, with the car park at Hook's Car visible up ahead...

With the Sun well on its way down we headed back towards the car park completing the walk...

This has proved again to be one of the best walks in the Peak District, the early winter colours making it look good in the sunshine too. If you're are looking for a small walk in the area at any time of year, then this I'd recommend.
Thank you for reading.

Haddon Hill via The Pike, and Pole Bank - Shropshire 8.11.13

A circular walk, 7.4 miles, 3 - 4 hours.

A Shropshire hill walk beginning in the town of Church Stretton, that includes the highest point in the Long Mynd range.

It's quite a rare occurrence that I will visit my home county and not make an excuse to have a roam in the hills surrounding the town of Church Stretton. On the eastern side of the town are the less walked but still beautiful Stretton Hills, however to the west of the town are the hills of the Long Mynd, easily the most popular set of hills in the Midlands to walk.
  
I had drawn up a route that would take me up into the Long Mynd and to its highest point - Pole Bank. I have covered a walk in the past that also included Pole Bank, but that walk is much longer. This walk however is half the distance at just under seven and a half miles.

 It was a wet day, some heavy showers had battered the area overnight and it had remained light rain throughout the morning. It was also a later start to a walk, not arriving into Church Stretton railway station, where the walk starts from, until 11.30.

The route heads left out of the station and through the town...


At the top of the main street that runs through the town, the route heads right at this crossroad, along the B5477 'Shrewsbury Road' for about 500 yards...

The route then cuts left along a lane sign posted for 'Carding Mill Valley'...

I've said before when writing up a walk on the area, that this place will always be my favourite place to walk in the country. It will never fail to impress me as long as I visit this place, and even on this wet and cold November day it still gave a sense of excitement.
Here entering out into the Carding Mill Valley...

In the Summer this grassy area is swarming with cars parked up with families enjoying this special place...

Easily one of the quietest day's I've encountered in the Carding Mill Valley it was nice to have the place almost to myself. Here passing the normally thronging with tourists National Trust cafe...

The route now cuts off the road via a small wooden footbridge and crosses over a stream. It then follows an incredibly well maintained path on the other side of the stream. In the below photograph you can make out the first climb of the walk, a ridge of rock known as The Pike...

Here approaching The Pike, with Haddon Hill to its left...

The steep ridge as expected was a bit slippery on this day...


Once you have passed the exposed rock of The Pike, you come to a slightly easier path to walk on...

The Pike commands some fine views of the upper Carding Mill Valley. Here looking towards Cow Ridge, and further along the valley, Calf Ridge in their Autumn clothing...

Here looking back along The Pike towards Burway Hill on the left, with Devil's Mouth directly ahead, and Yearlet behind to its right...

The top of The Pike brings you towards the edge of a golf course. The route cuts left and joins a footpath that skirts the edge of the course...

Haddon Hill up ahead now...


Here looking back across The Pike towards Bodbury Hill with its distinctive ring, which is the remains of an Iron Age hillfort...


This path I'm following at this point is not marked down on an OS map, but it remains easy to follow through the bracken and heather towards the top of Haddon Hill...


Here approaching the windy top of Haddon Hill. The popular Jack Mytton Way path can be seen clearly to the left of the below picture too...

Pole Bank in the distance from the top of Haddon Hill...

The path continues now from the top of the hill...

The path soon merges onto a Bridle Way, here cutting left to follow it...

The Bridle way brings you out onto the Shropshire Way path, one of England's longest footpaths, this is easy to follow and is dotted with way markers.
Above the clouds here on the Shropshire Way, skirting the edge of Wild Moor...

The path splits at this point, but the way marker on the right hand path indicates 'Pole Bank Walk'...


Shropshire isn't really well known for its moors, but these can be a tricky place to navigate in low cloud, as can the vast majority of the Shropshire hills. This part of the Long Mynd can feel quite remote even on the sunniest of days...

The path continues across the moor towards Pole Bank now. The Knolls, another near-by high point, can just about be seen over the moor ahead on the left...

And finally to the summit of Pole Bank, the highest point in the Long Mynd, complete with Trig Point and Toposcope at 516 metres...

A small path heads north east from the Trig Point through the heather towards this track...

This track then brings you out onto a lane that heads east past a point on the map called 'Boiling Well'. The route continues for a short time on the lane before reaching this area in the below picture, where a way marked footpath indicating 'Townbrook' cuts to the right...


Way markers continue here allowing easy navigation...


Yearlet hill ahead here. You have a choice to cross this hill, either by the path that cuts along its northern edge to the left, or you can go right over the top - which I decided to do. Both paths are visible here...

Ponies grazing, with craggy Devil's Mouth beyond...

Heading up the steep side of Yearlet...

More Ponies, this time guarding the summit of Yearlet...

The route continues across Yearlet and starts to head downhill...

Ragleth Hill...

Three of my favourite hills in the country here. From left The Lawley, Caer Caradoc, and Hope Bowdler Hill...

An Autumnal scene as I head steeply downhill here...


The path eventually brings you to this small reservoir...

My route crosses over a small footbridge that allows you past the reservoir, before cutting right and down through a kissing gate into 'Rectory Wood'...

Keeping left here and following the lower path through these pleasant woods...


The path takes you past this small pool and folly...


The path then eventually brings you out onto this small park as you enter back into Church Stretton...

And finally back to Church Stretton railway station completing the walk...

Overall a nice little hill walk that can be done in more or less any weather. As I said this is my favourite place to walk in the country, however if you do find yourself in this part of the world, take some time to explore this fantastic region and enjoy these wonderful Shropshire Hills.
Thank you for reading.