OUT & ABOUT
A White Peak circular walk
With Tony and Stephanie Swaby of Dearne Valley Ramblers
Kick start your New Year with this strenuous 9-mile walk around the Grindleford area taking in the picturesque Longshaw Estate, Padley Gorge and views across Hope Valley. Note: Poles and stout walking boots essential. Start point: Grindleford Station Cafe, S32 2JA. (Very reasonable parking fee of £2.00 which covers the entire day).
Walk down the lane towards Padley Mill. Carry on up the lane until your reach buildings on either side. To the right is the ruinous Padley Chapel/Old Padley Hall, where, in 1588, two Catholic priests were discovered hiding and were subsequently hung, drawn and quartered in Derby. Walk through the stone gateway, entering the old Padley Hall courtyard; continue past the chapel and go through a wooden gate in the fence. Pass through a further gate then turn immediately right, ascending the path which runs parallel with a fence on your right. Walk uphill for approx. 100m. Upon reaching the plataue, turn left then shortly afterwards right and walk up the Bole Hill incline, passing the large stone boulders.
Upon reaching the summit you will see the remains of the old stone winding engine house. Walk behind this, following the route of the original railway line which is now a gorge. Pass through two gates and, before reaching the third gate in front of you, instead enter the gate immediately to your right which further ascends towards the quarry. This is a narrow, winding path so take care whilst climbing.
Eventually you will reach a further plateau. 44
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To the left lies a forlorn graveyard of discarded stone grinding wheels. Turn right and follow the path a few yards
further, climbing to the summit where Bole Hill Quarry is situated. The quarry closed not long after WWII and is now part of the National Trust. Turn left at the summit and go over a stile at which point you will be walking diagonally across Lawrence Field towards the busy A6187. Cross the road into Surprise View car park and head left. In the perimeter fencing you will see a gate; pass through this and walk along the path which ascends gradually.
This takes you towards an escarpment with some of the best views that the Peak District across the breath-taking Hope Valley. Keeping the perimeter fence to your left, continue along this beautiful route where there are old disused quarries to the left, now frequented by rock climbers.
Upon reaching the summit, look out towards
Edale Valley in the distance with the dramatic panorama of the Great Ridge - comprising of Lose Hill, Back Tor, Hollins Cross and the famous Mam Tor.
Drop down to the right and follow the path towards Higgar Tor which joins with another path from the right. Continue to a fork, taking the left- hand path which skirts behind Higgar Tor, at which time the main road is on your left over the fence. Continue along the outer path near to the fence before the path then drops away. Head along the escarpment and then descend to a feature known as Burbage Bridge.
Carefully cross the stream here via the large boulders and ascend to the top where, again, the path drops down to a further similar crossing. The path ascends once more before bending to the right where you will have a beautiful view of some of the many ridges that adorn this part of Derbyshire. Keep on this wide path until you reach the A6187, at which point take care to cross the road and pass through the gate immediately in front of you. This path enters the Longshaw Estate, formerly a country house but
which is now part of the National Trust. Take the left-hand path and walk up to Grindleford Road, turning right prior to crossing the road and enter the estate via the main gate and lodge. Carry on for a few hundred yards and you will come to the main buildings to your left with a cafe and toilets.
Carry on along the main path until you reach a gate; pass through this and take the path to the right. On your left there is a deep ditch which extends the length of the path, commonly known as a Ha-Ha - intended as a boundary and to prevent livestock roaming.
There is a large lake to your right, beyond which the path drops down to Grindleford Road at a point near to a renovated barn-type property where you will find useful information about the estate.
Cross the road and take the gate immediately in front of you, keeping on the path which takes you over the stream via a bridge. You have now reached the very popular Padley Gorge. Take the left-hand path and walk down through the enchanting and mystical Padley Woods. Continue along this path, taking care on the many exposed tree routes along the way.
Remain on the main path at all times but watch out for the first of two Money Trees. The first one is simply a large bent stump which contains old coinage, mainly copper, which passers-by have hammered into the bark of the tree over many years.
After a good half an hour or so, depending upon your speed, you will emerge through a gate onto a road and habitation once again. Turn left and walk back down passed Padley Mill and thence across the railway bridge to return to your starting point at the cafe.
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