The last scheduled North Walk of this winter took place in the Peak District and the group met at The National Trust car Park on the Longshaw Estate. This car park is in a great location as it’s possible to strike out in so many directions and has a cafe and toilets on site. From the car park circular walks can be made as short or long as one should choose, handy when the weather is changeable as it was forecast on the day.

Our walk began at the Cafe which we bravely passed intending to have refreshments later.

Continuing down to the lake at Granby Wood with great views of Higgar Tor and Carl Wark we continued through the Longshaw Estate to a lovely path that follows the top of Yarncliffe Edge. This path in winter gives nice views up the Derwent Valley and an unusual perspective of the curving railway line before it enters the Totley tunnel. In a few weeks time when the trees are in leaf this view will be hidden. I did spot a Greater Spotted Woodpecker but by the time I tried to point it out it flew off.
A steep descent led to a quite busy Grindleford cafe. This cafe has been there longer than I recall and in my teens we would sleep on the doorstep in our Black of Greenock sleeping bags. Phil the then owner would bring us cups of tea and in return when it was frozen we would collect buckets of water for the kitchen from a nearby spring. We would also sleep under the nearby railway arches and on the station platform. Andy and Ed, who I did not know at the time, I am aware had similar fond memories of dossing (as we called it) in the area.

After taking on board breakfast with tea and coffee we continued the walk. We passed Padley chapel where each year there is a catholic pilgrimage to remember the catholic Martyrs. A potted account of this tragic story can be found here.

We continued along the river valley to Hathersage. I am uncertain where the river Noe becomes the River Derwent. What I am certain about is that my winter visits this year to fish for Grayling in this area were completely ruined by high water levels. Of course the river and the fish were happy to taunt me as it was at a perfect level as we passed by.

Again resisting the temptation to stop in Hathersage (probably saving us much money by not going into the various outdoor shops) we continued up to Hathersage church where they proudly claim to have the grave of Little John along with its incongruous parking meter next to it. There was a little gentle rain along with the smell of petrichor as we passed through the churchyard.

Our route now begins to recover all the height that we lost coming down into the valley passing through a peculiar door to nowhere. The path continued into well managed woodland where we saw a pair of Mandarin ducks which in fact were also quite prevalent by the river earlier. The wood floor was carpeted in various plants some of which we have made educated guesses about concerning their identity. We hope our fellow members will confirm our best guesses at a later date from the included photos we think Bluebells, lesser Celendine and a woodland variety of Polygonatum.

Continuing steeply we passed Carhead rocks. If you have not been on this modest little ridge I cannot recommend it enough there is a feint path along the ridge which ends at the Stanage Plantation end and it gives the very best view of the popular end of Stanage. Our final climb found us on Stanage edge (the finest gritstone edge on the planet and possibly the universe) where a nithering breeze meant an extra layer was welcome.

Our now very fresh walk continued past the Cowper Stone an area known for its Ring Ouzels which can usually be seen here and also along the nearby Burbage Edge a bit later in the year when they nest here. The long Burbage drive was followed with continued interest looking at the artillery damage to the rocks and also people practicing the moves on a top rope on Parthion Shot. This iconic rock climb was first climbed by John Dunne in 1989 and given a then grade of HXS 7a, now E10 6c it has been the scene of many an aspiring Hardman’s downfall (literally) especially since a crucial flake broke off meaning a ground fall from the crux at the top is more than likely.

We eventually reached the end of our just over 10 mile walk back at the Longshaw Estate and this time used the National Trust cafe for tea coffee and cake. The last walk of the winter season in truly spring like conditions. All four of us then battled the rush hour traffic to have a quick pint in Mansfield on our way home. The new season of meets is upon us let’s hope for a good year!

Attendees: Steve Caulton, Andy Burton, Marcus and Michele Tierney

Report by Marcus