Walk: 10:15am to 2:15pm, 6.6 miles and 1,500ft of ascent
Now I have expected to be walking alone this weekend, Donna was working and Malc and Colin had planned to go over to the Lake District with some from the Wakefield area; however they had a change of heart and decided to come out into the Peak District with me.
The route I had planned for today’s walk did have its downside in that it’s a very busy walk in part which to be honest is not my sort of route, I like nothing more than to walk where not many other people bother. We parked in the main car-park in Castleton which was already quite busy when we arrived a little after 10am, and headed across the fields outside of Castleton and over in the direction of Hope, not to go to Hope you understand, but in that general direction.
After about ¾ mile we took the path to the left and headed up Lose Hill which is one end of the Great Ridge. And to tell you the truth, I struggled quite a bit again, not sure whether it’s because I’m nowhere as near as fit as a few years ago, or just one of those days again as I do tend to have ‘off days’
Anyway, I got to the top and although very busy along the ridge the weather was great and the views stunning. I’m always amazed when you walk past the trig point at Hollins Cross to see the people on mountain bikes who have cycled up from either Edale or down near Castleton.
We continued along the ridge and up the incline to Mam Tor and then dropped down to the café at the entrance to the Blue John Mine where we stopped for 10 minutes for a drink.
The last section of the walk took us up over the hill that houses many of the mines for which the area is famous, and then over to Winnats Pass. Now I mentioned earlier that I have lost some hill fitness the last few years, but what I seem to have gained is less fear of heights as I had no problem looking down from the edge to the road below. Walking back down the steep face of the hill was a challenge, it was steep and slippery and twice I found myself on my backside. Never mind though, another really enjoyable walk.
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