May 24, 2023.
LOW LEIGHTON, BIG STONE, PEEP-O-DAY, SOUTH HEAD, TUNSTEAD HOUSE, BOWDEN BRIDGE, THE SPORTSMAN INN AT HAYFIELD, SETT VALLEY TRAIL, BIRCH VALE, OLLERSETT MOOR, LANESIDE ROAD END, THE MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS
Distance: 10 miles.
Difficulty: Strenuous.
Weather: Dry with blue skies and sunshine throughout.
Walkers: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.
Alternative walker: Jock Rooney.
Apologies: Andy Blease (Anglesey), Alastair Cairns (hamstring), George Dearsley (in Turkey)
Leader: Jones. Diarist: Hart.
Starting point: Laneside Road end on the outskirts of Low Leighton, New Mills (SK22 4LU)
Starting time: 9.49am. Finishing time: 3.10pm.
A road traffic accident at Disley's main traffic lights delayed the arrival of some of those coming from that direction. Consequently, JJ's valedictory appearance as a Wednesday Wanderers' leader was late starting. He then led us flawlessly along a roller-coaster route which involved three serious climbs.
John is moving to a flat in Arnside, Cumbria, in a week so he was persuaded to end his role as a leader on a high note. Clearly, JJ took that seriously as we visited summits at Big Stone, South Head and Ollersett Moor. We were reminded that there is no gain without pain as we enjoyed spectacular views of the Kinder Range and its valleys in the summer sunshine.
Once again the late spring and early summer flowers provided a kaleidoscope of colour in the meadows and hedgerows, whilst we spotted newly-born calves with their mothers and lambs with their ewes. Your diarist has enjoyed a lifelong affection for spring lambs, especially when they are served with minted carrots, peas and new potatoes.
From our parking spots at the far end of Laneside Road, we walked even further uphill along a rocky path. We walked through a wooden gate (3mins) and continued to a second wooden gate beyond which were crossroads in the paths (20mins)
We continued straight on going down and up before we reached Big Stone – a huge rock outcrop - overlooking a valley below. The views in every direction were wonderful although at this time an early morning mist shrouded some of the surrounding moorland.
Looking back from Big Stone
Having arrived at Big Stone (29mins) we waited for the stragglers to catch up before pausing for a photo opportunity (34mins)
Facing the valley we turned left for 10 yards and then began a tricky descent to a track where we turned left (31mins). This took us through a wooden gate towards the A623 Glossop-Chapel Road. Just before we reached it (51mins) we passed the farmhouse called Peep-o-Day on our left.
After turning left at the A623 we crossed it and soon turned right uphill (54mins). The track reached a junction where we dog-legged right and left through a wooden gate (57mins). After going through another wooden gate we turned right (62mins) and crossed a ladder stile to begin a stiff climb towards South Head.
Our leader commented that the ascent reminded him of an occasion when he had mounted the rear of The Great Gable. Whether he was referring to Hollywood legends Clark Gable or Betty Grable is unclear but we live in enlightened times so no further clarification was sought.
At a handy sheltered depression in the land on the right side of the path we stopped for Pietime (74mins), enjoying splendid views across the valley below
Continuing our climb we reached a gravel path and turned left for 30 yards before taking a path on our right steeply uphill (82mins). This brought us to the cairn marking the summit of South Head (89mins)
After waiting for stragglers (94mins) we began our descent which was a continuation of the path which had brought us to the cairn. When we reached a path across (91mins) we turned left and then right at a green public footpath sign (93mins) which indicated the way to Hayfield via Coldwell Clough.
We went left through a wooden gate and followed a sign for the National Trust Trail (109mins). This took us through South Head Farm (114mins) before swinging left across a bridge (119mins). The lane then took us to a farmhouse on our right which we entered through a metal gate and exited through another metal gate at the rear (124mins)
The path then took us over a stone step stile and a stile next to an electrified fence to reach a farm track (131mins). After walking through a farmyard we turned left downhill and immediately right over a wooden stile (133mins). We crossed another stone step stile to emerge opposite Tunstead House (138mins)
Turning left downhill we passed a bridge on our left before crossing Bowden Bridge on our right (150mins). The bridge marks the point where the River Kinder becomes the River Sett. On its far side, we turned left along Kinder Road and reached The Sportsman Inn on our right (155mins)
Here we enjoyed pints of Theakstons' cask ale in the beer garden at the back where we were joined by Jock, who had walked along the Sett Valley Trail from New Mills.
Suitably refreshed we walked diagonally left from the pub entrance to reach a flight of steps which we descended. At the foot of the steps was a bridge across the Sett. We crossed this and walked towards the centre of Hayfield with the river on our right.
At a crossroads (166mins) we went straight ahead through Fishers Bridge to reach the A623. We crossed the main road, turned right for 15 yards then turned left along the A6015.
We passed The Kinder Lodge on our right, turned next right towards the bus station and then left to reach trestle picnic tables where we stopped for lunch (168mins). Afterwards, we headed towards New Mills along The Sett Valley Trail, passing a host of hawthorn bushes covered in dazzling white-scented blossom.
We left the trail at a sign for Chinley (188mins) and crossed the A6015 to head up Morland Lane at the side of former pub The Grouse in Birch Vale. This was the final relentless climb uphill until we passed through a wooden gate and turned right (202mins)
This took us towards the telecom mast on Ollersett Moor where we crossed a wooden stile (205mins) and continued along the path, crossing another wooden stile (212mins) and a ladder stile (215mins) to reach a lane.
We squeezed through a gap next to a gate and turned left (213mins), waiting outside a cottage for the rest of the group to catch up (218mins). We carried on until we reached the end of Laneside Road on our right where our cars were parked (228mins). Some planned to have a final drink in The Masons Arms at New Mills.
Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from the overflow car park of The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth, High Peak (SK22 1EB). We will be aiming to reach The Kinder Lodge at Hayfield around 12.20pm for a bracer and finishing with a drink at The Little Mill at about 2.15pm.
Happy wandering !
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