We started at the Ladybower Reservoir, walking along the shoreline before climbing to Hagg Farm. We then climbed further, to the edge of Kinder Scout. We visited the peculiar rock formations at Ringing Rodger, before dropping down into Edale. I then took off on my own for a longer version of the Group's afternoon itinerary. I climbed Mam Tor before walking east along the ridge to Lose Hill. I then descended to Hope Village - coincidentally meeting up with the main group again part-way down the hill.
In general it was a really beautiful day, marred only by a couple of heavy showers in the late afternoon - a very pleasant day out!
The walk began at the Ashopton Car Park at the south eastern end of Ladybower Reservoir. We walked down from the car park to the dam. Here is a view from just above the dam, looking west. Apologies for the poor quality of a few of these shots, by the way. I had not cleaned the camera lens before I started the walk!
Our route crossed the dam to the west side of the reservoir. Here is a view southwards, down the Derwent Valley from the top of the dam.
Walking along the south shore of the reservoir, there were clear views northeast onto Derwent Edge and Derwent Moors.
We followed the Ashop Arm of the reservoir north west to the western end of the reservoir. The valley sides here are steep and thickly wooded.
Further up the reservoir, the valley becomes quite narrow.
At one point, we climbed quite high above the water - only to descend to the bridge at the head of the reservoir. This is a view looking up the valley towards the Snake Pass.
At the end of the reservoir, we climbed steeply up the side of the valley through the trees, along the Zig-Zag Path towards Hope Cross.
At the top of the path we got our first idea of the panoramic landscapes we would experience for mot of the remainder of the walk. This view is looking south south east towards Hope, our final destination. Win Hill is on the left and Lose Hill on the right. Shatton Moor is in the middle, far in the distance.
The various routes from Hope Cross are well signposted!
We turned right along the path to Upper Ashop for a short distance before turning west up Crookstone Hill. Ladybower Reservoir gradually got smaller and smaller as we progressed. It can just be seen here in the middle of the picture. Win Hill is on the right.
This was the climb facing us, up onto Edale Moor.
Here is the view back towards Ladybower Reservoir and Win Hill from a little higher up.
..and again, as we crossed a small ford at Jaggers Clough.
By now, there were stunning views to the south, across The Vale of Edale. Mid-left is Lose Hill. Towards the end of the walk, I would be walking along the ridge to Lose Hill from Mam Tor, which is just off picture to the right.the left
Mam Tor is in the centre of the picture here, across the other side of the valley.
The day was moderately cloudy at this stage. Occasionally, the whole landscape would be lit by bright sunshine. Here is Lose Hill again, in the centre of the picture.
As we headed round the edge of Edale Moor, the head of the Vale of Edale came into view to the south west.
Ringing Roger is a group of weather-beaten rocks overlooking Edale village. This view is back along the ridge to the north east, with some of the rocks in view.
Here are more, this time looking west
...and another view in the same direction from a little further on.
After a break to study the peculiar formations, we descended the steep, rocky path towards Edale. This is a view looking back to Ringing Roger.
Grindsbrook Booth and Edale, our next stop, were clearly visible in the valley below. Beyond, the the left is Mam Tor - a long way down and then a long way up again!
Here is a view back towards Grinds Brook. Upper Tor is on the right and Grindslow Knoll on the left.
Nearer the bottom of the valley, the path became much less steep.
I called in at the Old Nags Head Inn for refreshment before setting off on my own. The main group would climb directly up the other side of the valley to Hollins Cross. I made a longer detour via Mam Tor instead.
The skies were suddenly looking quite threatening as I climbed the narrow lane up towards Mam Tor.
Instead of the public footpath, I used a permissive path up through fields full of sheep and cows. This view is looking back across the valley towards Ringing Roger and Edale Moor.
It rained gently for some time. Then, just as I reached the steps up the final approach to the summit of Mam Tor, it rained very heavily. I decided to hang around at the summit for a while, in the hope that the rain would subside. Sure enough, in a while it did - allowing me to take some photos. This is the view east towards Hollins Cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill - the route I would take on my way towards Hope village.
As I approached Hollins Cross, I took this shot back to the south west showing the head of the Hope valley, with Mam Tor on the extreme right..
Further round to the south, the village of Castleton nestling under Peveril Castle in the distance.
I continued along the ridge past Hollins Cross, where I briefly met some of the rest of the group again before continuing towards Back Tor. The almost sheer north face is seen here.
I continued on and climbed Lose Hill, which enjoys a wonderful location on a sharp curve in the Vale of Edale. The views from the top made the climb most worthwhile! This is the opposite view to one taken earlier - looking north from Lose Hill across the Vale of Edale to Hope Cross and Nether Moor.
This one is taken in the opposite direction, looking south. Hope Village is down in the valley, mid-left.
Part way down, I met up with the rest of the group again as we made our way down through fields to Hope village. The only moment of excitement was the warning at the approach to the railway bridge just north of the village!
Altogether one of my favourite walks, this one! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Many thanks again to the Sutton-in-Ashfield ramblers for organising the trip.
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