Walk 11:00am to 3:45pm – 8.6 miles
Last night I looked at the weather forecast on the BBC website, and it showed nothing but sun in the morning and late afternoon, and sunny intervals during the main hours of the day. This morning I checked BBC News for the weather – and surprise surprise it would be sunny intervals, but the intervals would be mixed with showers. Today would also be a bit of a test for my new Meindl Bernina boots, as I’ve only worn them twice and they took the skin off my heel – so hopefully the plasters on the heel would help me wear them in more.
We parked the car in Shatton (giggle), and set off up the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail – I think that’s it was called anyway. What we noticed very early in the walk (and it was to continue throughout the walk) was how well sign posted all the paths were. It was more like driving on the roads, as instead of a sign that said “Footpath” the majority of the signs told you where the path led to – so although it wasn’t exactly in the middle of nowhere it was quite easy to navigate, which made it so much easier.
We headed off up the trail, past Bamford and then Yorkshire Bridge until we arrived at the large weir that turned Ladybower Reservoir into the river Derwent – always a magnificent sight. My wife commented that she bets the bank of the weir would make a great place for sledging in the winter – too right there!
We followed the path as it traced the edge of the reservoir, veering in and out of the trees, with great views across to the hills on the other side. The path was excellent – but then it was also for the use of cyclists so no surprise. What did surprise us, was that we expected such a ‘beauty spot’ to be very busy – but it wasn’t.
We followed the path around to the point where looking directly across the water you could see Two Thorne Fields Farm, then took the path uphill which came back on you at a tight angle, and was also very steep as it climbed the hill through the dense woodland. We followed it past Wooler Knoll until we emerged from the trees – then open land for the next couple of miles.
The walk had been a little frustrating, as it was true sunny intervals – you were forever putting your waterproofs on, then removing them, then putting them back on. Also, on occasions when the rain came in heavy the winds were lashing – just not cricket old man!
We ventured along another excellent path to the top of Win Hill – and my god it was VERY windy up there, however we were quite fortunate as it had looked as if it would also be driving rain, but the dark clouds had bypassed us.
Then to the last leg, back down into the woods and onto the footpath heading towards Thornhill, a lovely steady downhill section and great to see that the rain held off for that last hour or so walking back to the car. A quick drive back to the Fox House pub for our now customary pub meal before departing the Peak District and heading back across Sheffield for a nice hot bath.
More photos can be found here.
Last night I looked at the weather forecast on the BBC website, and it showed nothing but sun in the morning and late afternoon, and sunny intervals during the main hours of the day. This morning I checked BBC News for the weather – and surprise surprise it would be sunny intervals, but the intervals would be mixed with showers. Today would also be a bit of a test for my new Meindl Bernina boots, as I’ve only worn them twice and they took the skin off my heel – so hopefully the plasters on the heel would help me wear them in more.
We parked the car in Shatton (giggle), and set off up the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail – I think that’s it was called anyway. What we noticed very early in the walk (and it was to continue throughout the walk) was how well sign posted all the paths were. It was more like driving on the roads, as instead of a sign that said “Footpath” the majority of the signs told you where the path led to – so although it wasn’t exactly in the middle of nowhere it was quite easy to navigate, which made it so much easier.
We headed off up the trail, past Bamford and then Yorkshire Bridge until we arrived at the large weir that turned Ladybower Reservoir into the river Derwent – always a magnificent sight. My wife commented that she bets the bank of the weir would make a great place for sledging in the winter – too right there!
We followed the path as it traced the edge of the reservoir, veering in and out of the trees, with great views across to the hills on the other side. The path was excellent – but then it was also for the use of cyclists so no surprise. What did surprise us, was that we expected such a ‘beauty spot’ to be very busy – but it wasn’t.
We followed the path around to the point where looking directly across the water you could see Two Thorne Fields Farm, then took the path uphill which came back on you at a tight angle, and was also very steep as it climbed the hill through the dense woodland. We followed it past Wooler Knoll until we emerged from the trees – then open land for the next couple of miles.
The walk had been a little frustrating, as it was true sunny intervals – you were forever putting your waterproofs on, then removing them, then putting them back on. Also, on occasions when the rain came in heavy the winds were lashing – just not cricket old man!
We ventured along another excellent path to the top of Win Hill – and my god it was VERY windy up there, however we were quite fortunate as it had looked as if it would also be driving rain, but the dark clouds had bypassed us.
Then to the last leg, back down into the woods and onto the footpath heading towards Thornhill, a lovely steady downhill section and great to see that the rain held off for that last hour or so walking back to the car. A quick drive back to the Fox House pub for our now customary pub meal before departing the Peak District and heading back across Sheffield for a nice hot bath.
More photos can be found here.
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