Edale to Win Hill to Bamford/Ladybower Reservoir to Hope: Started from Edale Station, took the foot path east along the "Vale of Edale" to Ollerback Booth/Ollerback Farm, to Nether Booth and the Youth Hostel at Lady Booth Brook. On to Clough Farm and then Jaggers Clough. Crossed Woodland Valley to the Old Roman Road at Hop Cross, south east to Wooler Knoll, to Thornhill Brink, and then Win Hill summit (463m). Descended off the east side of Win Hill through Winhill Plantation and the steep descent of Parkin Clough to the River Derwent. Turned north to the dam on Ladybower, crossing the dam and descending the east side and dropping down to the lower river level. South to Thorn Hill and east towards Hope Station, with a diversion to the Navio Roman Fort at Brough, ending at Hope Station.
Total Time: 6 hours 29 minutes; Total Distance: 19.11km; Total Ascent: 1,426m; Avg Moving Speed 3.9kmph
Walk planning began with a check of the weather reports from the Met Office and MWIS Peak District. The Met Office forecast for Win Hill called for morning fog until 9:00 AM, then clearing to partly cloudy with VG visibility , with wind gusts to 38 mph, and a temperature of 3C at the Win Hill summit. To get to Win Hill after the fog cleared I started at Edale with the timing to arrive at Win Hill at around 11:00 AM. When I arrive at 11:11 AM the summit was shrouded with fog, with short periods of good visibility to Ladybower to the north and Hope Valley to the South. Temperature, as measured with my Kestrel weather meter was 3C, with wind gusts to 22mph. A reminder that weather reports, even hours ahead of a walk are only so accurate.
Route planning was conducted using an OS OL1 1:25,000 map as an overview, and then a more detailed view with the OS Maps software on my computer. The route from Edale all the way to Win Hill summit and then down to Bamford had so many recognizable land features that I did not use my map until I took a new path from Bamford to Hope, with a side trip to the Navio Roman Fort. Traveling east in the Hope Valley, a view of Mam Tor, Hollins Cross, Back Tor, and Lose Hill were constant companions looking south. After Jagger Clough, the route up to the Old Roman Road, and then turning south to Win Hill, hand railing the fence line for the Scots Pine forest was straight forward. Visibility was good right up to the approach to Win Hill Summit. Dropping down from Win Hill to the River Derwent along Parkin Clough has many hazards under foot as the descent is very steep, the path muddy, and wet rock and tree roots are a hazard. I would be conscious of the skill level of any walking group members.
Also photographed more Lichens for identification.
Area :
Dark Peak
Is situated between Sheffield and Manchester. The underlying rock is Millstone grit which is often exposed at the edge of the higher peat bogs for which the area is famous.
