17th June

Third Wednesday

Walking in the Rain

Youlgreave –

Bradford and Lathkill Dales

O.S. Map Ref: 195 640

6½ miles. An interesting and easy first-half riverside walk along two dales followed by a stiff climb out of Lathkill to the high ground and some moderate (but to spoil our fun on the day, extremely wet and unpleasant) undulating field-walking back to the comfort of a Youlgreave hostelry.

22ndJuly

Extra Wednesday

Dovedale –

Ilam and Thorpe

OS Ref: SK 131 507  

From Ilam, this 5-mile walk takes us along the lovely lower reaches of the Dove to the famous stepping stones, then a climb between the peaks to Thorpe and (on the day, between occasional rain showers) the return to Ilam alongside the Dove’s sister river, the Manifold.

19th August

Third Wednesday

Eyam and

Stoney Middleton

O.S. Map Ref: SK 216 768

A 4½-mile walk through two interesting and picturesque villages – from Eyam, then across fields down to Stoney Middleton – before a steep and strenuous climb back along an old packhorse route.

Full details are on the Web at:

http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/eyamwalk.htm

16th September

Third Wednesday

Gradbach, Dane Bridge

and Back Wood

OS Ref: SJ 998 662

Moderate, 6¾ miles, and, due to a wrong turn on reaching the river, a walk along Back Dane instead of Black Brook – an interesting (and unexpected) route high above the riverside to Dane Bridge before returning to Gradbach on the trail below Hanging Rocks.

(Lud’s Church will have to keep for another day.)

18th November

Extra Wednesday (Recce)

Newchurch Common

OS Ref: SJ 615 679

6 miles. An easy stroll, starting from the old Whitegate Station and going west, along the Whitegate Way, to walk by lakes woodlands on Newchurch Common, with the option of a shorter 4½-mile route for a Second Wednesday.

23rd September

Extra Wednesday

Wildboarclough, Gradbach and

Three Shires Heads

OS Ref: SJ 983 688

Starting Point: Old quarry car park 200 yards north of the Crag Inn.

A moderate 6½-mile walk with several long inclines on a triangular route from Wildboarclough, SSE to Gradbach, E and NE to Three Shire Heads, then W to return to Wilboarclough.

16th December

Third Wednesday

Dunham Massey

OS Ref: SJ 732 875

4 miles. A local favourite – a circuit of the Dunham Massey – usually from Dunham Town or Little Bollington, but this time starting from the NT car park – through the deer park and via the golf course to Dunham Town, along the canal towpath to Little Bollington and then back into the park to Dunham’s excellent Stables Restaurant for lunch.

4th November

Extra Wednesday (Recce)

Shillito Wood –

Ramsley Moor

OS Ref: SK 295 750 (Near Baslow)

An easy 5-mile walk along well-defined moorland paths, on high ground with good views. There are only three stiles and one short climb back to the car park. After heavy rain on the wintry day we walked it out, the return track was deeply rutted, and water-logged.

15th July

Third Wednesday

Hurst Green –

Ribble Valley

OS Ref: SD 685 380

Starting from Hurst Green, a picturesque 7½-mile lowland walk from the Ribchester bridge, along the banks of the River Ribble, to return via the Dinkley bridge.

21st October

Third Wednesday

Healey Nab – Anglezarke

OS Ref: SK 620 160

This often-repeated favourite is a 6½-mile walk in Lancashire’s beautiful little Lakeland, between Chorley and the Western Pennines. The preferred route is clockwise around the reservoir, descending from the hilltop Anglezarke quarry car park to cross the dam wall above Rivington, an undemanding steady climb up Healey Nab, before descending to White Coppice for a picnic lunch and then returning along the picturesque contours of the hillside paths above Anglezarke’s winding eastern shore.

This is another of “Mikes Walks” from the Web. For details point to:

http://tinyurl.com/24g5ks

2nd September

Extra Wednesday

(and recce for a shorter group walk)

Hope and Castleton

OS Ref: SK 172 835

6 miles. Easy, once the long and steady testing climb, from Hope village up to Losehill Farm, has been completed; this walk packed in plenty of variety – also a fine view across the Hope Valley (albeit encompassing a cement works). After refreshments, at one of the several Castleton hostelries, the walk concluded with a pleasant riverside walk back to Hope.