Walk Description

Today I met up with Angie and Baillie at Grindleford for a supposedly quiet walk along the Edges.  I set out from home in reasonable weather, but as I approached Glossop I could see that the cloud was getting lower and lower.  As I drove up the Snake Pass road, the visibility decreased rapidly.  By the time that I reached Doctor's Gate I could hardly see the car in front even with its high intensity lights on.  I was beginning to wonder whether we would be able to have a walk with any views at all today.  Eventually I descended below the cloud and found that the sun was actually shinning on this side of the Snake Pass.  As I drove down the quiet road into Grindleford, I had a moment of panic, Whoops, I thought, perhaps we should walk elsewhere.

The fields either side of the road were filled with cars and there were loads of people about.  Today was the Grindleford Gallop. This event is open to both runners and walkers and covers a distance of 21 miles over a variety of terrain and through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Peak District. Starting in Grindleford, the route goes via Froggatt village, Eyam, Great Longstone, Hassop, Chatsworth, Edensor village, Baslow, Curbar Gap and Froggatt Edges before ending back at Grindleford where the returning competitors are treated to hot soup and bread. 

After consulting with Angie we made a quick alteration to our route and took to the woods rather than walk along the river.  In the end we didn't meet up with the Gallopers until we reached Baslow Edge.  We walked through the delightful old Hay Wood until we reached the A625.  Here we had a very short road walk until we found the footpath into Bee Wood.  This was another old wood and we followed an usual level track through it.  The track had stone built squares every so often.  It seemed as though it might have been an old railway track or perhaps the stone squares could have been linked to an aquaduct.   Eventually we left the wood and crossed the road beneath Curbar Gap. 


We continued walking below Baslow Edge until we reached the track from Over End.  Here we turned left and began the steepish ascent up to Balsow Edge.  As I toiled uphill I was passed by some of the Grindlgeford Gallopers.  Some of them made it look so easy. In front of us we could see the Wellington Monument and we decided that it was as good a place as any for us to stop for lunch.  We found a relatively sheltered spot and had lunch looking across to Chatsworth House.  After we had had a good rest we packed up our things and set out along the Edge path.  Although it was a bit windy the sun was out and the Edges looked superb.  It was certainly a popular place to be today.  Every now and then runners and walkers from the Grindleford Gallop over took us.  We let them hurry along whilst we enjoyed the views.  In the distance we could see the snow covered tops of the Dark Peak. 

The Edges were a fantastic place with plenty of unsual wind shaped rocks.  This is a very popular rock climbing area and there were a few groups scaling the cliffs today.  Eventually we left the Edges behind us and descended through Hay Wood back to Nether Padley.  From there it was a fairly short stroll back to the cars.  After a quick change we footwear we walked down to the cafe at Grindleford Station.  This was certainly an usual place.  It remined me a little of Fawlty Towers, as there are some not very welcoming posters on the walls informing customers that if they want to change the make up of a Full English Breakfast, they will be charged 25p for each item that is removed.

Thanks to Angela and Baillie for joining me on today's walk and acting as my guide. I really enjoyed the walk and will be returning to explore the area again. 
 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.