Dark Peak Walks. Paul Besley

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      DARK PEAK WALKS

      40 WALKS EXPLORING THE PEAK DISTRICT GRITSTONE AND MOORLAND LANDSCAPES

      by Paul Besley

      2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      About the Author

      Paul Besley first went walking in the Dark Peak when he was 14 years old and a love of the high moors and gritstone edges was born. Over the following years he has explored the area, walking its moorlands, investigating hidden cloughs, expanding his knowledge and experience: he has learned when and where the Dark Peak is best and which are the best walks.

      He is a volunteer ranger for the Peak District National Park and a member of Woodhead Mountain Rescue, an informative walking guide and writer. His ranger base is in the Upper Derwent Valley, just a few minutes from where he lives in Sheffield with his wife, metalsmith Alison Counsell, and their three dogs Olly, Monty and Scout.

      For more information, Paul can be contacted at www.paulbesley.com.

      © Paul Besley 2017

      First edition 2017 Reprinted 2019 (with updates)

      ISBN-13: 978 1 85284 519 3

      Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd.

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

       1:50K route mapping © Crown copyright OS PU100012932.

       1:100K route mapping by Lovell Johns www.lovelljohns.com.

      © Crown copyright 2017 OS PU100012932. NASA relief data courtesy of ESRI.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

      This book is dedicated to metalsmith Alison Counsell. My wonderful wife, best friend, and fellow adventurer. Thank you for everything. I love you dearly.

      Updates to this guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/519/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal LA9 7RL.

      Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

      Warning

      Hill walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a high-level walk. Therefore, except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.

      The Dark Peak is prone to sudden changes of weather and the nature of the upland areas demands a high level of navigational skill. Walkers should be properly equipped for the conditions and leave details of their route with an appropriate person. To call out Mountain Rescue, ring 999 or the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police. Walkers can also avail of an emergency SMS system by registering their phone with the provider.

      Acknowledgments

      I got to do the good bit: walking all the routes, finding out all the information. I was not alone; many people helped in producing this book.

      First I would like to thank Mark Richards, without whose suggestion and help this book would never have happened. Of course, someone needs to sort out my words and print the book. Thank you to Jonathan Williams, Sian Jenkins, Natalie Simpson, Stephanie Rebello and the team at Cicerone.

      Many people gave their time to check my routes and make the odd suggestion, and even walk some of the routes with me. To David and Stephanie Haffenden, Phil Newing, Duncan Sissons, Tony Amies, Alison Counsell, Gail Ferriman and Jeff Cole, thank you, for your assistance, your patience and encouragement, and above all your friendship.

      I would like to thank the Area Rangers of the Peak District National Park, who gave me their time, advice and encouraging words: Paul Wetton, Tom Lewis, Fiona Draisey, Neil Hanshaw, Andy Valentine, Martin Winder, Steven Bell, Gordon Danks and Richard Pett of Aldern House. Also thanks to Debra Wilson, who talked so enthusiastically about Moors For The Future and helped to explain what it all meant; to Michelle Sullivan from the National Trust High Peak Estate, who provided me with so much helpful information; and to Paul Bridge and Mike Potts, who provided information about the aircraft crash sites.

      But most important of all, thanks to my wife Alison Counsell for supporting me throughout the project, and giving endless encouragement. I owe everything to you.

      Front cover: The Vale of Edale from Kinder Scout (Walk 39)

      CONTENTS

       Map keys

       Overview map

       Introduction

       Geology

       Plants and wildlife

       History

       The future

       Local services and transport

       The walks

       Responsible walking

       Maps and navigation

       Using this guide

       Eastern Dark Peak