11th June 2025
CURBAR GAP, BASLOW EDGE, WELLINGTON’S MONUMENT, BIG MOOR, WHITE EDGE, GROUSE INN ON A625, FROGGATT EDGE, CURBAR EDGE
Distance: 8 miles Ascent/descent: 1,080ft
Difficulty: Easy (WHBW)
Weather: Bright
Walkers: Tom Cunliffe. Daisy Cunliffe, Mike Cassini, Chris Owen, Russ Spencer, Andy Blease, Keith Welsh, Mike Barratt and Simon Williams
Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly
Leader: Cunliffe Diarist: Cunliffe plagiarisedfrom Mr Beal’s Diary of 10th July 2024
Starting point: Curbar Gap
Starting time: 10.00am Finishing time: 2.30pm
This walk has been dubbed the route the Four Edges walk by our very own Peter Beale, taking in as it did Baslow Edge, White Edge, Froggatt Edge and CurbarEdge in a scenic circular trip from Curbar Gap.
White Edge is the least known of the edges, lacking any striking rock formations the others offer, or any reputation among the rock-climbing fraternity. But it is the highest at just over 1,200 feet and rewards the gentle climb with panoramic views over the Derbyshire and Yorkshire hills.
We met at the three lay-bys close to each other just below Curbar Gap and set off in the direction of Baslow Edge. We stayed a short distance away from the escarpment and after passing a lone prominent boulder took a track on the left which soon brought us to the gritstone cross of Wellington’s Monument
It is also noteworthy to mention that it was Mike Barratt’s birthday and round of drinks at our appointed water hole was most welcome by all.
Curbar Edge
This modest edifice was erected to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s 1815 victory at Waterloo by Dr Wrench, a local Army man. It was intended to complement a memorial to Admiral Nelson on Birchen Edge, just over a mile to the east.
At the time it seems the two monuments could have been seen from one another. But trees and bushes have obscured the Wellington memorial so it only becomes visible from close-up. Some of the fading lettering on the base can still be made out, with the words ‘Wellington. Born 1769 Died 1852. Erected in 1866 by E M Wrench.’
Birchen Edge
The monument proved to be an ideal spot for a group pic, however, Mr Owen had elected to hare off and was out of sight, as is his want.
Nevertheless we went ahead with the pic ably assisted by a young lady who was also admiring the local views, she obliged by taking the pic.
Leaving the monument we followed the track across the open moorland, passing highland cattle with two very young calves, and crossed the minor road that runs between Curbar and Chesterfield to the east.
We followed the path, vague in places where it had become overgrown, up a steady climb of around 400 feet to reach the trig point on White Edge, a short distance from which we declared pietime.
Resuming, we continued along a more distinct path along the edge, towards the true top of the moor around half a mile distant at 1,204 feet. Splendid views were on all sides and the outskirts of Chesterfield and Sheffield could be made out to the east.
Around a mile-and-a-half from the top of the edge we reached a broken stone wall where a sign marked Grouse Inn pointed downhill to the left. We followed down a distinct track.
After a short, rocky stretch down through a copse we came to a field, on the other side of which was the Grouse Inn, across the A625. Chris was awaiting us and we were soon joined by Jock and Milly, who had walked along Froggatt Edge.
Mikey B provided the drinks and we responded by singing a rather moving rendition of Happy Birthday.
Under way again after a 60-minute break, we turned right down the main road for a few hundred yards, taking a footpath sign to Froggatt Edge on the left at a lay-by. This soon led to the start of Froggatt Edge, where we swung left to follow it and then Curbar Edge for just over two miles of mainly level walking before reaching a sign on our right which took us down through a woodland back to our cars.
Next week’s wander will commence from Whaley Bridge Canal Wharf SK23 7LX meeting at 9:40.
Our route will take us through Taxal Nick, Windgather Rocks, DungeValley gardens, The Swan at Kettleshulme, Hardy Green, Todd brook Res. Car park. This walk may be viewed by visiting a previous diary by clicking on:
http://wwanderers.blogspot.com/2023/09/whaley-bridge.html
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