Overview

Another fairly easy stage to Edale for the start of the Pennine Way. Time before you start to get in provisions and explore the old peak village of Hope.

The climb to Winhill will cause you to pant a bit, but you will be amply rewarded by the views North and South. Stroll along the south banks of Ladybower Reservoir before climbing back into the Hope Valley again and winding into Edale.

Distance: 14 km – Climb: 450 metres – Time: 5 hours

Start: "Woodroffe Arms"  – Hope – GridRef: SK172835

Finish: "Woodroffe Arms"  – Hope – GridRef: SK172835

Going: A relative easy day but with a stiff climb in the morning and another climb after lunch. Quite firm underfoot, but will be boggy on the tops after rainfall.

Waymarking: No waymarking, but the paths are well trodden and fairly easy to follow.

Maps:

• Sheet 1, Dark Peak Area, of Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Series 1:25 000. This is printed on both sides to cover the whole of the Dark Peak, and some of the South Pennines.
• Sheet 24, White Peak Area. Unfortunately a tiny bit of this section, ie 2 km around Grindleford, is off the bottom of sheet 1. I have tried to fill the gap by giving more detail in this area. You might, however, want to buy sheet 24 , as it is a good map to have when you want to explore the limestone region.

Start: Hope Woodroffe Arms 

Leave Hope on Edale Rd, going north opposite the Church. After 400m bare right down a lane to Kilhill Bridge. The lane goes under the railway line after which we turn sharp right onto the track to Twitchill Farm

1.5 km Twitchill Farm - from Hope -

A gate from the corner of the farmyard starts a steep climb NE. After climbing up two fields we reach the rough pasture of open moorland. 500m from the farm we reach the ridge of Win Hill. Turn east to climb Winhill Pike.

3 km Winhill Pike- from Hope

This is really a grand view point. To the North is Ladybower Reservoir, with Derwent Reservoir beyond that. To the East is Bamford Edge, with Stanage beyond that. To the South is the gentle dome of the White Peak, somewhat marred from here by the huge chimney of the cement works at Bradwell, but the underlying limestone makes the grass look greener and more lush in this direction. To the West runs the curved ridge of Win Hill, with Kinder Plateau beyond that. It is getting closer. 

Bamford to Winhill Pike (if you overnighted at Bamford)

From Ye Derwent Hotel -

Turn right out of the hotel and go up the road for about 50 m, to a lane on the right signed ‘The Hollow’. Follow this downhill for about 300 m to a large dark stone mill on the banks of the Derwent. The path goes to the right of the mill, and takes you round the back of mill to some stepping stones and a wooden footbridge cross the river Derwent.

After you have crossed the river you have a pleasant walk for 400 m over the flat fertile fields of the valley bottom. Don’t worry, the shoulder of Winhill Pike looms ahead, to consume those extra calories taken on board at ‘Ye Derwent’. This starts with a steep climb to the road.

From Road to Thornhill -

Cross the lane and pick up the path that goes up the left hand side of a private house. The path leads behind the house garden to a flight of wooden steps that start the climb NW towards Win hill. After about 300m we come across an isolated terrace of stone cottages. Turn right onto a lane. The lane becomes a track which becomes a path. The hillside is criss-crossed by many other paths, but we keep to the one that climbs steadily NW up the west rim of the Derwent Valley. 1.3 km after the after the cottages we reach the woods of Winhill Plantation. A steep path W for 400m climbs 100m to the summit of Winhill Pike and is a cruel test of stamina.

3 km Winhill Pike- from Hope -

It is tempting from here to go west and follow the gentle ridge of Win Hill towards the Guide Post at Crookstone Barn. To do that would certainly save 1 km and perhaps 30 mins, but would miss a pleasant stroll along the reservoir. Leave the Pike to the east for 100 m, then follow the wall running down NE for 300m to the edge of the trees. Follow the path NW parallel to the edge of the plantation for another 300m. Here a stile leads into the trees and zigzags down the hill to the waters edge.

5 km Ladybower Reservoir

Walk east by the quietly lapping waters and watch the fishermen casting for trout. It is 3.2 km to the end of the reservoir. The path now zigzags first to the NW, then SW and so on until it climbs back to the top of the ridge. Here a sign post points out the paths in all four direction.

9 km Sign Post by Crookstone Barn

From here we go east towards Edale. The path takes us down into Jagger Clough. After another 500m take the path that takes us above Clough Farm. Keeping to the edge of the moor we reach Rowland Cote.

11.5 km Rowland Cote – Edale Youth Hostel 

  Edale Youth Hostel and Outdoor Pursuits Centre. You can get a cup of tea and a snack here at most times.

Set off west again along the edge of the moor. For a 600m we follow an old thorn hedge, but then the path turns down hill and we join the track from Nether Booth to Ollerbrook Booth. From Ollerbrook Booth there is a gentle field path into Edale

We reach Edale on the lane halfway between the post office to the right and the railway station to the left. We turn left and just before the station is the

14 km Finish Edale Village – Rambler’s Inn.  - 5 hour from Hope -