Hike While You Can

Hello Lovelies,

The title of this post comes from a comment I saw on  Instagram. It accompanied a beautiful mountainous view ( I can't recall where it was of exactly).

It's just a simple phrase but it really struck a chord with me. Hopefully I've lots more years of walking still ahead of me...but who knows. 

Yes, I love walking so much that I'll take every opportunity to Hike while I can.

A lot of the walking in the Midlands I wouldn't really class as hiking because it's so flat...but head to the peak district and that all changes.

OK it's not the Alps but Matlock Bath is known as Little Switzerland, and not without reason.

Yesterday I was happy to get the chance to walk on these hills. We set off from the village of Tansley, and immediately it felt like a hike.

 A steep path led us up into fields above the houses.

Once up high we had a lovely view towards Riber castle ( you might need to enlarge this photo to see it nestled among the trees)

We were in the land of stone walls and stone stiles.

 as we headed through quiet fields.

towards the little Hamlet of Dethick.

Which has an interesting church, with a tower on it's tower.

After descending across fields and through woodland we climbed again. Up stone steps.

Then along the pretty streets of Lea.

I loved this view.

The next footpath was more like a stream.

And it led to some tricky, partly submerged, stepping stones.

Thankfully nobody got wet and were soon walking more through pretty woodland.

 Look at all those green shoots among the fallen leaves. There will be bluebells here in April/May.

Next our route climbed steeply up through fields. Time to go steady and stop frequently to catch our breath admire the views.

Of course the view from the top is best...and a great reward for all that hard work.

A little further along Riber castle came into view again.

How I loved it up here. The sky was blue with little fluffy clouds, and the views were gorgeous.

 

There was plenty of mud and puddles to negotiate but that just added to the fun.

Ooooh, lovely mossy walls.

and pretty stone cottages.

Here we had arrived at the gates to Riber Castle ( not a really old castle, but built in the 19th century as a family home, by a wealthy industrialist)

I loved the views here.

And the village of Riber.

By this stage we had been walking for about 3 hours. Time for a sit down and a sandwich.

It was  a stunning picnic spot (looking down on Matlock) but a bit exposed, so we soon got going again.

This part of the walk was the most challenging. Super steep, slippery paths. I was so glad of the trees to hang onto.

More steep descent followed....thankfully not as slippery.

Still the sun shone and we felt so lucky with the weather.

Zooming in on Matlock as we got lower.

Another slippery section.

Finally we got to the road and it was a relief to walk on tarmac for a while.

In the valley bottom I loved this Mill conversion.

Then...what goes down...must go up again. Past a still ruined mill we climbed.

 To a steep sided valley, with a gushing stream.

And waterfalls :0)

How I loved the low sun shining on the water and rock. All the recent rain...which had made that slippery mud... also made the falls extra impressive.

More steps led to..

More waterfalls...

The Lumsdale valley has  interesting ruins too.

Above the falls we came to the mill pond.

Such an idyllic spot.

By this point we had only walked about 6 and a half miles, but with all the climbing up, and slip sliding down hills I will admit to feeling tired.
Oooh look a level path.

or maybe not.

Here we stopped to take in the view again. To gaze at where we had come from. Look our lunch spot by the castle.

and the steep woodland we descended through.

You can't get that wonderful " look how far we have come" view on a flat walk...nor the same sense of achievement I feel.

Then it was just a mile or so back to Tansley.

 Who's streets looked even nicer in the sunshine.

 How I loved this Derbyshire hike. It totally tired me out but it was so worth it for the amazing views, the exercise and the great company.

I feel blessed to be able to enjoy days like this.
Jacquie x