This book is an invitation to the healthiest recreation of all - walking in the countryside. It provides the perfect alibi to escape from routine and breathe deeply of nature's bounty; to unwind and see the beauty on its own terms. Where better than in the subject area of this central Peakland guide? It comprises both gritstone moors and edges bordering the northern limestone uplands - a deeply incised dome with dry valleys and narrow wooded gorge-like dales running crystal streams. The Northern Dales are a delightful blend of pastoral landscapes, densely patterned with lichen covered grey drystone walls and extremely well endowed with narrow walled lanes, packhorse ways and footpaths. Some 'thoroughfares' are in frequent use, whilst others remain, despite the popularity of the area, seldom trodden, making this the ideal location for recreational walking. The onus is not on 'bruising hillcraft' but rather on the more gentle reflective pace of the observant countrygoer who prefers to be entertained by a 'whole landscape' experience. This book presents a broadly based selection of walks from which both the first-time visitor may derive insights and the habitue gain new perspectives on the unique form and fabric of this, the first National Park in England, established in 1951.
Introduction Symbols on the route maps WALK: Mam Tor, Blue John and Odin Mines from Castleton Cave Dale and the Winnats Pass from Castleton Abney Moor, Foolow and Bradwell from Brough Abney, Shatton Lane and Offerton from Leadmill Bretton Clough and Hucklow Edge from Eyam Hathersage Moor, Longshaw and Padley from Surprise View Froggatt Edge from Curbar Gap Birchen Edge from Robin Hood Chatsworth Park from Calton Lees Manners Wood and Haddon Hall from Bakewll Lathkill Dale from Moor Lane Lathkill Dale from Monyash High Peak Trail and Arbor Low from Monyash Monsal Dale and the Magpie Mine from Ashford- in- the- Water Brushfield and Taddington from White Lodge Taddington, Chelmorton and Flagg from Taddington Longstone Edge from Great Longstone Water- cum- Jolly Dale and Brushfield from Monsal Head Cressbrook Dale from Ravensdale Cottages Tideswell Dale from Tideswell Dale picnic site Chee Dale and Monk's Dale from Wye Dale car park Chee Dale and Blackwell from Wye Dale car park Chelmorton and Deep Dale from Wye Dale car park Corbar Hill from Corbar Road, Buxton Grin Low from Poole's Cavern, Buxton Goyt Valley from Buxton Five Dales from Peak Forest Eldon Hole and Oxlow Rake from Peak Forest Further reading Appendix: The Visitor's Responsibilities
Mark Richards' transition from full-time farmer to full-time outdoor writer has been a gradual one. In 1973, with the direct encouragement of Alfred Wainwright, he wrote his first walking guide to the Cotswold Way. Since then he has indulged his pleasure in exploring rural Britain by creating a range of walking guides. In 1980 he began his three-part guide to the Peak District for Cicerone Press, and in 1987, with Chris Wright, wrote a guide to walking around the former county of Westmorland. This book sowed the seeds of a dream, to be fulfilled some 14 years later, when he and his wife moved to Cumbria. Here he developed a passion for the finest of all walking landscapes, held within and around this marvellous county. Now, living in what was once the Barony of Gilsland, Mark is close to Hadrian's Wall, enabling him to renew a fascination first kindled when he prepared a guide to walking the Wall in 1993.