Rambles: Birchover to Matlock via Youlgreave 10 miles

Peak District:
Day 5
Starting at Birchover, I headed W through and out of Birchover along main st. then down a lane, taking the footpath that continues around a woods and a barn to meet the road (B5056). At the road I crossed over to meet the Limestone Way which takes you past Robin Hood's Stride, Hermit's Cave (rock formations) until you reach Cliff lane.  Cross over the it to take the dirt track to Harthill Moor Farm and continue along the Limestone Way up to Youlgreave (Youlgrave).  The Way reaches Mawstone Lane and instead of crossing it and continuing along the Limestone Way I turned right across the bridge over the river Bradford into Youlgreave. At the church I continued straight on down Conksbury lane turning right on Back lane to cross over the beautiful Lathkill Dale river into Conksbury village which is particularly attractive.  After crossing the bridge I journeyed straight on up to the cumulus, bearing right on the footpath (crossing over one, then bearing left at a junction, then crossing another) to Haddon Hall which is equally pretty.   I stopped for a picnic at Haddon then walked E along the A6 (though you can cut NW and go around the Haddon estate to Calton Lees and down) to Rowsley, passing alongside the river Wye, which is another quaint village.  Near the Peacock Hotel I took a right to follow again the Derwent Valley way S past Rowsley South Station alongside the river.  Travelling down through Darley Dale (charming) and then continuing along the river around the back of Matlock (not so charming), to Matlock station. All in all a pleasant, easy walk.

Rambles: Grindleford Station to Birchover via Frogatt Edge 14 miles

Peak District:
Day Four
From Grindleford Station in Upper Padley I walked along station approach (past the famous cafe) then turned right to head down into Grindleford past the Maynard Hotel on your left.  At the church (on your left) I turned left down the lane with a footpath, this branches into two, I took the left one which leads E through Haywood forest (National Trust).  When I came to a crossing of footpaths I took the righthand turn that leads over the road to Frogatt, up Frogatt Edge, to the Stone circle.  This is a fairly steep climb but well worth it for views down into the Derwent Valley.  I followed the footpath along to Curbar Edge (SE), crossing over the road at a carpark to continue on the footpath along Baslow Edge which I actually prefered to Curbar Edge and provided a nice view to Curbar itself.  The footpath forks when it reaches Wellington's Monument and a bit of forest, here I turned right and headed down the main path, ignoring crossing footpaths, straight downhill into Baslow. I love Baslow, what a pretty village,  I turned left on Eaton Hill rd. to get back onto the Derwent Valley Way which heads to the carpark, and stopped at the Cafe on the Green for a bite to eat.  There's always Il Lupo Italian on Eaton Hill as well if you want something more substantial.  From here I followed the flock of people heading over the stream towards Chatsworth along the Derwent Valley Way, through the funny gate thing, past Chatsworth House following (and then over) the Derwent to Calton Lees (past the Garden centre). 

This is flat easy walking but enjoyable and it gave my legs 'a break'.  I picked up my pace heading still along the DVW (again with the scary cows) through fields and then along a farm track that runs into Rowsley.  At the track I slowed/ stopped since I found about 100 cows heading in the opposite direction down the narrow path who didn't look particularly like they enjoyed my presence.  I pretended they weren't there and that sort of did the trick...

The track joins Church Lane, here I took a left, crossing the A6 and continuing along up Peak Tor lane only to continue southwards down a private rd. marked as no access, it's a footpath really.  This leads up  to Stanton Woodhouse through some pretty forest, steepily.  After the farm the path curves around the Hillcarr Wood uphill some more, and then some more up.  At the road turn right cutting back on yourself heading N along the rd, taking the left fork until you see the footpath (on your left) that runs S cutting through the disused quarry, and forest (heading past the Nine Ladies stone circle if you like though there are several paths here that criss-cross.  Make your way S to hit Lees road and then cross over it to continue on the footpath that heads down field towards Barn Farm around which is the campsite, with great views down towards Winster. Continuing along the footpath that runs around the farm, and through the campsite bearing W to the right towards Birchover.  I walked into Birchover past the church to reach main st. and stopped at the The Red Lion Inn for some excellent grub, and a pint. But there's also the Druid Inn,  which is also highly recommended (Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' award 3 years running but it's shut Sunday evenings) also on Main st.  Two of the best pubs around quite frankly, both accepting the muddy boots brigade. 

Baslow Edge

Rambles: Edale to Bamford (via Kinder Scout) 24miles

Peak District:
Day 3: (Part One and Two + extension)
Part One: Edale circuit via Kinder Downfall, Kinder Scout 10 miles
Part Two: Edale to Grindleford Station via Stanage Edge 11 miles
Extension: Grindleford Station to Bamford 3 miles
Now I reckon this route is 24miles. I thought there was a campsite in Upper Padley in a field on station approach, there is no such field here- it's in 'lee' wherever that is.... so I had to trek back to Bamford, which I reckon added another 3/4 miles onto my journey.  I got the train back to Upper Padley in the morning from Bamford to restart my journey the next day.
From Edale Fieldhead Campsite go to the rd. turn right up through Edale with the church on your left.  Continuing to The Old Nags Head pub. I simply followed the Pennine Way from here up Jacob's Ladder, to Edale cross then Kinder Downfall, before crossing Kinder Scout (SW) on the small path that follows Grinds Brook to Grindsbrook Booth (past the campsite there). I backtracked a little back to Fieldhead campsite (where I'd left my tent, sleeping bag and mat) to lighten the load up Kinder) which is about 10 miles.  I left camp at 6:30am making it back and up Hollins cross by 12:00pm. But I pushed.
Before taking the footpath running SE across the railway then up the steepish climb to Hollins Cross which provided stunning sunshine and views back to Edale (nice weather had been missing on the Kinder Climb) minding the scary cows.... I then took the path SE to join the rd at Woodseats into Castleton, finding the footpath on the left that runs E along Peakshole water to Hope.  Once it rejoined the rd. I turned left across the river, past the church in Hope to eventually turn right on a footpath that leads past the cemetary and over the railway into Aston taking the road then Thornhill.  Each of these were delightful little villages, but we must continue (or at least I did, at some pace).  At Thornhill I joined the Derwent Valley way which was delightful scenery ending up at Bamford Mills (now luxury apartments) to cross the weir on the stepping stones and have some lunch. 
After a break I hiked up Bamford Edge before joining the footpath that runs NE to Stanage edge with a little difficulty (my legs were knackered by this point).  After Stanage Edge I kept to the path (and high ground) that runs SE to Robin Hood's cave and Burbage Rocks.  From Burbage I headed down the boulders route S towards Foxhouse Inn where I turned right following the B6521 steepily down into Upper Padley.  Upper Padley is home to Grindleford Station (bizarre), which is where I went (taking the Station Approach rd to the right) where there is a quirky walkers cafe that's great to stop and have some food and rest.  The station is quaint (Railway Children- It's famous too), now you can either take the Hope valley line to Bamford from here if you're too tired, or bus.  However the Derwent valley path runs across the bridge from here which is beautfiul passing through forested area and next to the river, it's delightful and easy walking skirting the south of Hathersage back to the little hamlet of Shatton, here you can cross the river and emmerge on the road to Bamford.  The campsite can be seen from the station rd.

Bamford and Kinder

Rambles: Errwood Reservoir to Edale 10 miles

Peak District:
Day Two (Part Two)
From Bunsal Cob carpark join the Midshires Way that runs across the road A5004 to the White Hall Centre (NE).  It's an outdoor education centre doing Mountain Leadership stuff. I then took to the road  (N) towards Hanging Rock. From there taking the right hand road (Lesser Lane) all the way to Combs, passing into Combs (pronounced Cooooms) you've got the church on your right and the pub on your left (Beehive Inn, with reasonable grub).  Turn right in Combs at Ridge Lane before bearing left on the footpath via Old Brook House.  Towards the railway line that runs through past Combs reservoir to the North.  You may be able to catch site of a steam train here and Combs reservoir in the distance.  The footpath crosses a stream and then follows the railway line all the way to Chapel-en-le-frith, (known to the locals as just Chapel, so if they keep saying they're 'going to chapel' you won't think everyone's overtly religious). This was a thoroughly delightful walk and I would definitely recommend this route.  Head into Chapel from the station (the road bears N following the railway then crossing it.  You can cross Long Lane and head into town up Alston Road, reaching the Market Place via High St. with the PO opposite.
Chapel is lovely with a nice market place, stocks, cobbled streets and a traditional Playhouse.  Stocks Cafe and Bistro in the Market Place is good for snacks and a cuppa or a full meal, my piece of cake was lovely. 
Cross over to the PO and turn towards the church, bearing right along the footpath next to Burfields Rd.  The footpath cuts across Burfields to run around Morrisons carpark, then across the A624 (Hayfield) , and Black Brook and under A6.  Follow the footpath by the trees surrounding Bowden Hall (on your right),
then taking the lane past Bowden Hall leading to Bowden Head.  At the T-Junction turn right to Slackhall near the Chestnut Centre (otter and owl sanctuary).    I continued straight through Slackhall (it's a small hamlet) crossing two roads before bearing left at a fork.  Continue NE up lane (a bridlepath crosses it, ignore that) but take the footpath up to the left that runs up a steepish track that climbs steadily up to Lord's Seat and Rushup Edge, it was rather windy and wet when I went up, but the view is pretty spectacular.  Up at the signpost you can bear left or right, take the righthand turn on the windswept plateau.  There are two tracks running from Lord's Seat eastwards both leading to the same place so it doesn't really matter.  From here you can readily see Mam Tor, where I fool-hardily ventured to walk along the edge/ledge up the quick way to Mam Tor summit (there's a footpath that runs around to N, or one that drops down to the Edale rd).
From Mam Tor summit I ventured down NE  before cutting back SW on the footpath around Mam Tor to return to the rd. (at the Mam Tor bus stop, in case your legs are too tired).  My knees were deeply regretting my exhuberant climb on the way down with every step but Edale was in site which was all that mattered.   Heading N for a tiny bit you'll find another footpath leading off to the right, take it, it runs down hill, weaving down cold side, down to the picturesque Hardens Clough.  You'll walk Past Hardenclough farm crossing the pretty bridge heading straight on (bearing right) into Edale.  Turn left at the phone box, under the railway line, past the great Cottage cafe, then the Ramblers Inn (reasonable food and happy with the muddy boots brigade) on your left, and before long you'll get to the Moorland Information centre with a cool eco-water roof jobbie and Campsite (see my review).  There is also a Youth Hostel close by which is average.

Rushup Edge to Mam Tor.

Rambles: Hen Cloud to Bunsal Cob via Shining Tor 10 miles

Peak District:
Day Two (Part One)
From the Hen Cloud Campsite nestled below the Roaches I headed up over Hen Cloud and then along the Roaches edge footpath to Gradbach, taking in Roach End and Lud's Church which is a fantastic and breath-taking walk especially if it happens to be raining 'cats and dogs' and pretty windy, which it was when I was up there.  The path is quite wet and muddy, have fun! It offers spectacular views and weird rock formations a-plenty.  At Gradbach I crossed over the river Dane and headed on the footpath around Tagsclough hill via Burntcliff Top at which point my legs were like jelly due to the pounding as I came downhill.  Crossing over the road I headed northwards towards Wildboarclough, a beautiful little hamlet past the church following the road north to Bottom-of-the-Oven! You'll past Shutlingsloe hill
 on your left and then Macclesfield Forrest. The weather had bucked up by this point and this stretch was very pretty. 

I took the easy (and therefore quicker) route up Shining Tor via the road, but you can access it up the foothpath via the Cat and Fiddle Pub (From the East) if you wish.  I then dropped down the other side following the bridle path (SW) taking a left to join the footpath heading NE around Shooters Clough forest and Errwood Reservoir (which was picturesque) to end at Bunsal Cob Car Park.  At Bunsal there are toilets, pitstop time...

Rambles: Youlgreave to Upper Hulme 12 miles

Peak District:
Day One (Part Two)
Here I started at Youlgreave, walking through the pretty village westwards continuing on Long Rake road to the pretty village of Parsley Hay (how quaint) which climbs above the railway crossing. Continuing westwards I followed the road until a footpath beared off to the right (South) leading steep up towards the hamlet of Pilsbury overlooking the spectacular River Dove and the valley in which it lies.  I then followed a delightful footpath that runs from Pilsbury (SW) to the road, continuing past Sheen Hill bearing again on footpath from Hill end repeating this method across the Manifold River to eventually to end up at Bridge End (W).  I crossed the river to Ludburn which is a farm, (a nice spot for a breather) whilst Bridge End crosses the wee Blake Brook.  There is a footpath that runs then to Fawfieldhead (where there's a reasonable looking campsite protected by a forest) where I then turned to the road to lead me to Newtown before heading around (SW)  the so called 'danger area' (MOD training ground) on footpaths skirting the impressive Ramshaw rocks to the campsite that sits just below Hen Cloud, just to the north in Upper Hulme.

Ramshaw Rocks (not my photo- it was pouring it down when I saw them, hence not my photo)

Rambles: Limestone Way: Matlock to Youlgreave 9 miles

Peak District
Day One (Part One)
Now Matlock is an uninspiring place for 'the gateway' to the Peak District for many you would think it would be full of vibrant shops, cafes etc. but no such luck.  So, at my start of the Limestone Way I quickly head from the train station around the corner and up and away South-West towards Upper Town where you can see the sprawl of Matlock (the further away you get the nicer it looks).  The trail in Spring is delightful curving its way through fields up towards Winster before heading up again to Robin Hood's Stride (a large rock formation up a hill which provides a nice scramble, and a decent view of where you've just been).   The Limestone Way then continues to Youlgreave, an attractive village which lies overlooking the river Bradford, on a shelf between two lovely valleys.  It has a few shops, pubs (I can recommend the Farmyard Inn) etc. and a youth hostel.

Robin Hood's Stride