Walk 26/2008 – Burbage Rocks and Padley Gorge from Hay Wood.

Sunday 16th November 2008

Despite wet weather during the drive up to the Peak District once we arrived at the Longshaw estate car park the sun had appeared and it remained clear and bright for the reminder of the day.

The original plan for this walk was to complete a figure of eight route centered on the Longshaw estate. The walk was advertised as 11 miles but even before setting off we had decided that the actual length was 9.5 miles.

Almost immediately on leaving the car park we were treated to the sight of a kestrel hovering almost directly above us. This was the first of two we saw at close quarters during the day.

The walk began with a gentle stroll by a picturesque stream in the woods but we soon left this behind to walk across Hathersage Moor and up to the top of Higger Tor where we had excellent views of Mam Tor and Win Hill. Our descent down took us to Upper Burbage Bridge where we had the option of walking across the bridge or taking the much less sensible choice of a slippery stream crossing. Nigel made sure he had his camera trained on Cathy in anticipation of a slide into the mud but he was disappointed when everyone managed to get across unscathed!

We then had the choice of a high or lower route back to the Longshaw Estate to complete the first half of the figure eight. We chose to take the higher route and part way along stopped for lunch where we all found ourselves little crannies in the rocks to sit and shelter from the wind. Eating our lunch we had fantastic views of the route we had just taken and this was where we also saw the second kestrel hovering around the rocks.

With the first loop completed we set off to complete the second, again walking past the stream in the woods we had seen earlier in the day. However we appeared to encounter some navigational difficulties during this half of the walk. At one point we found ourselves on a minor road knowing we had missed a planned turning and debating whether to head back. We did decide in the end to go back as Alan wanted to see the chapel that we would otherwise miss. The route back was of course up hill but went through some attractive oak woodland which was being regenerated before arriving at disused quarry workings, now wooded. Here things began to get slightly farcical with Stuart deciding that the obvious descent down could not possibly be the correct way and leading us round in a circle to reach the very same path down. We saw two ladies having a picnic nearby and on passing them the first time Owen informed them that we had no idea where we were going! This was confirmed when we reappeared some minutes later, much to their amusement. Second time around we did tackle the extremely steep descent down to the footpath by the railway. This was actually an old mining ramp used to take trucks down to the railway line. On reaching the railway Stuart observed that we were unlikely to see any trains today because there were workmen on the line. The words were not even totally out of his mouth when the unmistakable rumbling of a train was heard and sure enough seconds later a train thundered past us!

On walking a short way along the path we reached the chapel and then Grindleford Station where the realisation dawned amongst the group that we were in fact only a very short distance away from the point at which we had decided to turn back about three quarters of an hour earlier! Past the Totley railway tunnel and then a steep climb up steps, over a road and another steep climb up onto recently opened access land. We had difficulties making our way across it as there was no obvious path and it was extremely boggy. On finally reaching the footpath a decision was taken to cut short the walk as it was clear we were going to run out of daylight to complete it. From here we therefore walked back along the path through the Longshaw Estate to the car park.

Like the hard core walking group that we are, we then drove about 200 yards to the Fox House Inn, where although the pub was heaving with people, we had a very welcome drink before the journey home.

Report – Angela

Pictures – Nigel M

Walk rating – Good