Topley Pike

 SEPT. 20th 2023

ROUTE: TOPLEY PIKE, WYE DALE, MONSAL TRAIL, MILLERS DALE, CRESSBROOK TUNNEL, CRESSBROOK MILL, RAVENSTOR, THE ANGLER'S REST, MONSAL TRAIL, TOPLEY PIKE, THE SUN INN BUXTON.

DISTANCE: 9 MILES. 

DIFFICULTY: EASY.

WEATHER: ONE SHORT SHOWER OF APPROX 10 MINS.

WALKERS: KIERAN ROONEY, JOCK ROONEY, MILLIE ROONEY.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: WET WIMPS UNITED.

LEADER: ROONEY J.

Topley Pike

With stormy wet weather in mind, we chose what we hoped would be a well-sheltered route which neither of us had done for years ie. the Monsal Trail. 

Parking at the lay-by opposite the pay & display (which was completely empty !! ) we followed the river along Wye dale into Chee Dale and thence up onto the Monsal Trail which proved to be completely bike-free for the duration. 

Once onto the trail we were completely out of the wind but did get caught in a short but heavy shower just as we were between Litton tunnel and Cressbrook tunnel. At this point, we descended to the river and walked alongside it passing the bottom of Tideswell Dale and Ravenstor to the Anglers where the Dizzy Blonde was on form at £4.20 a pint. On leaving the pub we crossed the river and made our way back to the car along the trail and from thence into Buxton for a finisher at the Sun after what turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant day out.

Please note next week's walk will start at 9.45am from the layby next to Ridgegate Reservoir near Leather's Smithy (SK11 0NE) in Sutton, near Macclesfield, with a livener in The Ryles Arms at Sutton (SK11 0NN) at about 12.30pm and a final optional drink in Leather's Smithy at about 2.20pm.