Six of us from the 40sWalkersNorth met up in Disley for a walk in Lyme Park, After leaving the village we followed tracks and field paths up into the park and then across the fields to the Bowstones where we had elevenses, then it was back into the park and then past The Cage and back down to Disley. A great day out.

Links

Lyme Park

40sWalkersNorth

After parking at the roadside near Treak Cliff Cavern I climbed up past The Blue John Mine and up onto Mam Tor, always a great view from up there. then along the ridge past Hollins Cross and up to the summit of Lose Hill. After lunch I followed the field paths back down to Castleton and then back across the fields to my car.

One of my favourite short walks

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 Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District

 Mam Tor

Three of us met up at the Ashness Bridge and climbed High Tove, High Seat, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag in very overcast conditions. After the walk it was onward to the Glaramara Centre for the Annual Get together of the 40sWalkersNorth

Always a great weekend, 50 walkers attended for plenty of walking, food, the occasional beer or two in magnificent surroundings

Links

Glaramara Centre

After leaving the Glaramara Centre at Seatoller  we climbed to the summit of Glaramara in ideal conditions, great views across the fells, then onto the summit of Allen Crags, we tried to descend into Langstath but the icy conditions necessitaed a change of direction so we retraced our steps back to Esk Hause and then down to Styhead Tarn and back down to Seathwaite and Seatoller

Links

The weekends walks from Glaramara

After leaving Seatoller we climbed to the summit of Dale Head and back down to Honister Pass and back to the Glaramara Centre for tea and cakes

Great weekend with the 40sWalkersNorth

After parking by the Trentabank reservoir we walked up through Macclesfield Forest and then across the moors to Shutlingsloe returning through the forest and back to the car, a great short walk for an afternoon

After parking near New Mills Station we walked along the canal towpath and then down past Torrs Park and onto the Goyt Way, along side the river and then up through the fields to Bugsworth Canal Basin, after a spot of lunch we returned to new Mills by the canal towpath

Links

The Goyt Way

Organised by the  40sWalkersNorth

14 members of the 40sWalkersNorth met up in Garstang for a walk in the surrounding countryside. We left the village and walked along the canal towpath and then into the Brock Valley. After about 4 miles  we followed the Oakenclough road to Calder Vale  and then across the fields back to Garstang

Another great walk with the 40sWalkersNorth

Useful links

40sWalkersNorth

27/03/10 - Several of us from the 40sWalkersNorth climbed Snowdon from the Plas Gwynant Car Park. We left at just before 1000hrs and climbed up to the Bwlch Cwm Llan and then along the ridge to the summit of Snowdon. Alas the new Cafe was closed, not a lot of use to us mountain walkers if its not even open on a cloudy Saturday. Good job we are always self sufficient. We then descended via the Watkin Path which was very busy with walkers. As we got lower the cloud lifted and we had excellent views of Crib Goch and Yr Lliwedd. We arrived back at the car at 1530hrs.  A good day out of around 10 miles

A walk up onto the Kinder plateau from Nether Booth then a turn eastwards and a visit to Madwomans Stones and back over Kinder Scout to Nether Booth

Started from the layby between Barber Booth and Upper Booth and climbed up onto the Kinder Plateau by Crowden Clough and then followed the path across to Kinder Low and then onto kinder Downfall where I had lunch, the return was by Kinder Gates and then across the plateau and back down Crowden Clough.

A real slog across the plateau but quite rewarding finding your way across all the peat bogs

After parking near the Youth Hostel at Ravenstor I followed the river past Litton Mill and then along past Cressbrook Mill to Monsal Head and returned by the Monsal Trail and the hillside path above the Dale

 A long weekend on the Isle of Rum organised by members of  40sWalkersNorth - We met up in Mallaig on the 14/05/10 ready for the 0730hrs ferry on the 15/05/10 Saturday morning to the Island. We disembarked at around 0900hrs and our luggage was transported up to Kinloch Castle where we were staying. Three days of superb walking on a beautiful island with no traffic

Click here for a full report and photos

One of my favourite places is the Knoydart in Scotland. This peninsula in the West Highlands opposite the Isle of Skye is cut of from the UK mainland roads network, Frequently described as "Europe's last wilderness" the area is home to a great variety of birds and mammals, Golden Eagles and  Sea Eagles inhabit the area together with deer and many other wild creatures. The starting point for the walk is the small village of Inverie which is home to Britain's remotest pub the Old Forge well worth a visit for the real ales, excellent food and folk music. There is also a tearoom, shop, village hall and accommodation including a camp site and bunkhouse. I arrived at 1100hrs on the morning ferry from Mallaig and being early in day I was unable to sample the Old Forge.

My plan was to walk across the Knoydart and eventually arrive at the main road in the village of Glenfinnian, a distance of just under 30 miles, being alone I decided not to climb any of the surrounding mountains, I just wanted to follow the track and enjoy the superb scenery and the peace and tranquility of the area. The first days walk would take me from Inverie to Sourlies where there is a bothy but I intended to camp, the distance was around 9 miles, the second day would take me another 9 miles over to Strathan where I would camp. The final day would take me to Glenfinnian and the main road where I would catch a train back to Mallaig. Being a mature person, or to put more accurately a pensioner, weight was crucial as I occasionally suffer from a back (disc) problem. Therefore I weighed everything down to the last gram to ensure I was carrying as little as possible. I normally use a Vango Sprite 200 which is just right for me but weighs around 2600 grams but with the idea of weight saving I bought myself a new small tent  the - Gelert Solo which weighs 1500grams - £26.00 and found it good value for money- if I was a younger man I would be buying a Terra Nova or a Hilliberg but at my age £300 is not sensible, anyway the grandchildren can have the Solo when I have finished with it, so its not wasted, it would cost me that for a nights bed and breakfast.

During our weeks cruise to the Norwegian Fjords the cruise ship the P&O Ventura docked each day in one of the Fjords. We took the opportunity to either go on a guided walk or go off and explore on our own. From the village of Flam we took a guided tour up the valley with a very knowledgeable guide who explained all about the local fauna and flora together with the local history and customs of the area.

The weather was good and the scenery was spectacular

 Today we set off on a circular walk up the valley from the small village of Olden to a lake a few miles from the village, we then returned back alongside the river through some delightful paths across farm fields. Haymaking was in progress everywhere we went

 After parking at the roadside in Hope the path up the side of Lose Hill is taken and then halfway up take a path to the left towards and then through Springhouse Farm, when the trekking centre is reached turn left into Castleton, after refreshments I took the river path back to Hope. Always a good short walk for an afternoon.

 Every year the 40sWalkersNorth organises a weekend walk to the Black Sail Youth Hostel, this year 16 of us were on the walk on the 17/07/10.       We started from Braithwaite near Keswick and followed the Newlands Valley and then up to Dale Head Tarn, down to Honister Mine and then over Haystacks and down to Black Sail Hostel. A good evening was spent at the hostel with great food and a slide show by the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team. Very interesting. The following morning we crossed Scarth Gap Pass, through Buttermere and then followed Sail Beck below Knott Rigg and Ard Crags and then back to Braithwaite. The weather was very wet and we wisely chose to keep off the high fells. A great walk with plenty of water gushing down the hillsides. Its hard to believe there was a hosepipe ban at the time.

Links

Youth Hostel, Black Sail - Travel Information - YHA

After parking on the free car park near to the Knott Inn at Rushton Spencer the walk follows the Staffordshire Way along a disused rail track for about a mile and then a delightful walk along the shores of Rudyard Lake accompanied part of the way by the Rudyard Lake Scenic Railway, upon reaching the dam I crossed over and after a bite to eat at the cafe the path  goes through some superb woodland before emerging into fields and eventually rejoining the disused rail track and back to the car. A great short walk if time is short

The lake is about 2½ miles long and was built to supply water to the expanding canal system of the West Midlands

 After parking opposite the pay & display car park at Topley Pike I took the riverside path through the wood past the cottages and on through Chee Dale, on arriving at Millers Dale I took the path up to Wormhill and then through Hassop Farm and across the Fields and back down to the river and back to the car

From Monyash I followed the path from the B5055 into Lathkill Dale through magnificent scenery surrounded by limestone crags, then up through the village of Over Haddon where I had my lunch, the path crosses fields eventually reaching the disused lead mine of Magpie Mine which was in its heyday in the 1850s. After a brief look round I headed across the fields and back to Monyash 

After parking on the free car cark at Prestbury the walk follows the Bollin Valley Way and then crosses fields to Top o'th Hill Farm and eventually reaches Mill Lane in Mottram, part of the return route via the Bollin Valley Way was unfortunately closed due to erosion on the river bank and we had to divert along Mill Lane and eventually through the grounds of Mottram Hall Hotel. The path then resumes along the Bollin Valley Way and back into Prestbury

I am informed by the Cheshire East Council that they are in discussion with Local Landowners regarding  diverting this footpath around the problem area

There are some lovely buildings in Prestbury and a beautiful Church

Started from a layby just a 100yds west of the Cat and Fiddle Inn, the weather was fine with a clear blue sky but a rather cold wind. I followed the track north and down Shooters Clough and past the ruins of Errwood Hall, then past Errwood Reservoir where I spotted a Cormorant perched on a marker buoy on the water. Then still heading north through the forest to Mill Clough and up past Overton Hall Farm where I stopped for lunch on a delightful bench overlooking the valley. I then climbed up onto the ridge and walked south past Windgather Rocks, past Pyms Chair and over Cats Tor and Shining Tor and then back to the car. A  great walk with great views from the high ridge

 After parking on the free car park near to the Knott Inn at Rushton Spencer the walk follows the Staffordshire Way along a disused rail track for about a mile and then a delightful walk along the shores of Rudyard Lake accompanied part of the way by the Rudyard Lake Scenic Railway, upon reaching the dam I crossed over and after a bite to eat at the cafe the path  goes through some superb woodland before emerging into fields and eventually rejoining the disused rail track and back to the car. A great short walk if time is short

The lake is about 2½ miles long and was built to supply water to the expanding canal system of the West Midlands

With several friends we drove up to Glenridding in the Lake District and pitched our tents at Gillside Camp Site. In the afternoon we climbed Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike from the camp site. After lunch on the summit we walked across to Glenridding Mine and back down the track to the camp site.

In the evening we spent an enjoyable night in the Travellers Rest Inn in Glenridding. An excellent meal and great real ale 

After a good breakfast at the Butty Van on the Camp Site, what a great idea ! we set off up the track heading for Whiteside, at first visibility was  excellent and we looked forward to some excellent views on  the ridge, however as we got higher the cloud came down and the wind rose. Once on Whiteside we were buffeted by strong winds and walking was difficult, we followed the ridge across to Raise and then down to the Sticks Pass we then turned east and followed the track back to Glenridding.

An exhilarating walk with difficult conditions on the ridge 

 Time was limited today and I only had time for a short walk, as I live in Macclesfield its only a short drive (about 18 miles) to the start of this walk. After parking in the roadside layby beneath Mam Tor and next to the Blue John Mine I took the path up the side of Mam Tor and then along the ridge to Hollins Cross. This ridge has some of the finest views in the area especially across to the Kinder Plateau and down into the Edale and Hope Valleys, from Hollins Cross you can carry on along the ridge to Lose Hill or as I did on this walk follow the track down to Castleton where there are many places for refreshment together with several walking shops. After a break I followed the path out of the village along the hillside beneath Peveril Castle and across to Speedwell Cavern, then after crossing the road the path crosses the hillside by    Treak Cliff Cavern and then up to the Blue John Cavern and my parked car.

This is an excellent short walk if time is short and can be completed in most weathers

 A group of us from our Local Pub "The Bulls Head" at Broken Cross, Macclesfield met up at Rushton Spencer near Macclesfield for a Sunday walk, we followed the track  south east along the shore of Rudyard Lake enjoying fine views in nice sunny weather, after a cup of tea at the cafe by the dam we followed the lake back along the opposite shore through magnificent woods and then across the fields and back to Rushton Spencer where we had Sunday lunch at the Knot Inn. A nice sunday walk 

 After parking at the roadside at Danebridge we walked up through the forest and across the fields to the Hanging Stone, then we followed the path along the hillside to Roach End, after a lunch stop we descended the hillside towards Gradbach and along through the woods to Luds Church, the path then followed the river towards  Danebridge and then back to the car

After parking near Ravenstor Youth Hostel we walked along the riverside through Litton and the Old Mill now converted into timeshare appartments, then along the riverside path until we came to a flooded area on the approach to Cressbrook Mill, we took the alternative path up the hillside and then back down to the mill at the far side which avoided the flooded area. Then it was along the lane and up to Monsal Head where we had lunch with superb views down the valley. Afterwards we walked down to Monsal Head Viaduct and back along the Monsal Trail, at times high above the river where the trail avoided the closed railway tunnels. These tunnels are due to open shortly which will give a great walking and cycling trail from Bakewell towards Buxton

 Useful Links

The Monsal Trail

After parking at the roadside at Lowerhouse we followed the Gritstone Trail up Foxbank and along the ridge to the radio mast on Croker Hill where we enjoyed great views over the surrounding countryside. After lunch we  followed the field paths past Lower Pethills and back to the car at Lowerhouse. A nice short walk with good views

 Useful Links

The Gritstone Trail

After parking the car at the free car park on the Staffordshire Way behind the Knot Inn at Rushton Spencer we walked up the lane to the A523 and crossed over to Tanhouse Lane, this soon became a track across the fields  to join the Dane Valley Way which follows the Dane Valley Way alongside the River Dane to Wincle. Lunch was taken at Danebridge and the we followed the path opposite the Ship Inn at Wincle across to Wincle Grannge and then down to Dumkins where we joined the Gritstone Trail which we followed back to Rushton Spencer. An excellent walk with some great scenery

Useful Links

The Gritstone Trail

Today was the Annual General Meeting of the 40sWalkersNorth and 15 of us met up at Mawdsley in Lancashire for a walk. We set off from The Black Bull and followed field paths and lanes in a circular walk around the village which included Harrock Hill which gave us extensive views over the West Lancashire Plains, after the walk we held our AGM followed by a Hotpot Supper.

A group of us met up at Whaley Bridge and walked along the canal towpath as far as the Torrs Park where we crossed the River Goyt and followed the Goyt Way and then across the fields to Bugsworth Canal Basin where we had lunch, afterwards we followed the towpath back to Whaley Bridge. A nice short walk with great views across the frosty fields and canals

After parking near Gawsworth Church we followed lanes and field paths across to the Macclesfield Canal. the weather was overcast with around 4 inches of snow lying on the fields, we followed the canal  southwards as far as Bosley Locks where we stopped for lunch. Then  we followed the lane west and then north, field paths then led us northwards back to the car at Gawsworth. A nice short walk with a little drizzle towards the end

The weather in Macclesfield was overcast, however I decided to travel across to Castleton for a short walk. I am glad I did as it turned out to be a superb afternoon with clear skies, plenty of lying snow and freezing tempertures. After leaving the car by the Odin Mine just below Mam Tor I climbed up the hillside past the Blue John Mine, then after crossing the road I continued up the side of Mam Tor where eventually the sun broke through and I was rewarded by some superb views over the surrounding countryside. The ridge to Hollins Cross was a challenge with deep snow and then I followed the path down to Castleton which was picturesque with the Christmas Illuminations - well worth a visit at this time of the year. As darkness had fallen I followed the road back up to my car in freezing temperatures. A great afternoon out

Just a short walk today as time was limited, after parking the car by Trentabank Reservoir we walked up through the forest and then across the open moorland before ascending up the side of Shutlingsloe, a superb vantage point for the surrounding area, clear views but very icy underfoot and great care was needed on the descent then it was back across the moor and through the forest back to the car

A group of us set out from Macclesfield along the Middlewood Way and walked  to Bollington where we then walked up through the village to the Clarence Mill and the returned to Macclesfield along the canal towpath. The canal was still frozen after the recent cold spell but the temperature was above freezing and everywhere was starting to thaw out. big change from the minus 10c temperatures we have endured over the last few weeks. A great post Christmas walk

    Middlewood Way

    Macclesfield Canal

                                                                                                             On the canal towpath near Macclesfield