A Walk from Castleton :: Peak District Hill 5

Hello Lovelies,

On Saturday the weather forecast was for thick cloud all day...never mind I thought, at least it's not rain.

We set off in the car for Castleton, and happily the sat nav took us through the staggering Winnats Pass.  

It was surprisingly quiet in the car park as we pulled on our boots and I checked out the route. Just 5 and a half miles my guide said....but, and it's a big but....1,100 feet of ascent.

We wandered into the village and looked up at the ruined Peveril Castle

Castleton = Castle Town, of course......

Literally just off the Market place you come across this........

Which leads to the steep path up through Cave Dale........

It was tricky walking, on the wet and slippery loose rocks. I was relieved to emerge on to grass...

Looking back down cave dale

Oh look, free range eggs...ummm. Best not Buy any now though. They would be scrambled by the time the walk was over :0)

I loved the easy stroll past quietly munching cows here......

But towering up ahead we could see the high point of the walk....and plenty of people already up there.......

a bee enjoying these pretty thistles caught my eye.........

The path began to climb, and climb. We walked steadily to the base of Mam Tor it's self........

If you click on this photo you should be able to read the text........

This photo was taken looking back at the final steep climb up the hillside. I LOVED the view from here.......

Last few yards now.........

Yes, we made it :0).......

1,696 feet above sea level .........

the highest Peak District hill I've climbed so far :0)

We stood and admired the views for a while

Edale 

Then began the walk along the ridge......

As you can see it's a hugely popular spot. The national trust has had to build stone paths to combat the erosion caused by so many people. The Peak District was Britain's first national park and it's sandwiched between the big cities of Manchester and Sheffield so it's understandable that it gets busy at the weekend.

On Saturday it was surprisingly warm, and then the sun came out. Yay.

Time to stop for a snack...more hot cross buns with a view :0)........

And study the map...oh look, that's a familiar view......

Oh, and a cyclist too.......

From our picnic spot we could see the impressive landslip that happened in the 1970's.....

I zoomed in for a close up of what used to be a road......

until it was covered in tons of earth........

As well as cyclists, runners and walkers there were lots of people in the air.......

the lovely view across the Hope valley.....

zooming in on  Castleton, houses and streets nestled below the castle and the impressive entrance to Peak Cavern.......

Oh , did I ever say how much I love hills?
Here I am looking very happy to be on such a beautiful hill on an unexpectedly sunny day.....

Reading glasses to the ready as I can't read a thing without them these days!

Soon it was time to start our descent......

A steep path led to steps.....

and then a tricky path.......

another view of Mam Tor and that landslip.......

It was interesting to read the history of this path on this information board. If you click on the picture it will be easier to read....

Ahhh, an easy stroll. Such a relief......

another view towards the cavern and the Castle........

Hello Sheep.......

Pretty barns and stone walls........

and cottages.........

It was so tempting to take off our boots and cool our hot feet here.........

But we resisted as we were nearly back at the car where sandals awaited.

Castleton was super busy by the time we got back too. It's a tourist hotspot and has a great free museum which we wandered around.

I snapped the exhibits which most interested me......

I loved the verse on the jug you can see in the picture above.......

Let the Wealthy and Great

Roll in Splendour and State

I envy them not I declare it

I eat my own lamb

My chickens and ham.

I shear my own fleece and I wear it

I have lawns, I have bow'rs

I have fruits, I have flow'rs

The lark is my morning alarmer

So jolly boys now, here's God speed the Plough,

Long life and success to the Farmer.

With the sun still shining outside we decided our tired legs might let us explore just a little more.....

after a little refreshment :0).......

This was my favourite view..........

I do hope you lovelies enjoyed joining us on this rather special walk.
Jacquie x