Birchen Edge - Peak District Walk

Sunday 13th April 2014

After spending the morning relaunching the website we set out for a late afternoon walk. Although Birchen Edge was teeming with climbers by the time we reached Wellington's Monument the crowds had disappeared and we enjoyed a quiet walk, passing very few people, even in the normally busy Chatsworth Park.

Start: Robin Hood car park (SK 2807 7210)

Route: Robin Hood car park - Birchen Edge (TP) - Jack Flat - Bar Road - Baslow - Chatsworth Estate - Robin Hood car park

Distance: 5.5 miles     Ascent: 261 metres      Time Taken: 3 hours

Terrain: Clear paths

Weather: Warm with a strong breeze.

Pub Visited: Wheatsheaf Inn, Baslow    Ale Drunk: Ringwood Brewery, Best Bitter

Route Map >>

 

Longstone Edge

As soon as you climb onto the top of Birchen Edge the views more than justify the effort, here looking across Baslow towards Longstone Edge.

Birchen Edge

It was very windy on top of the edge but the area around Nelson's Monument was still overflowing with climbers and ropes.

We had a late lunch sheltering from the wind behind the Three Ships looking out across the moor.

Three Ships

By the time we'd eaten the scrambler's had left, which gave me an opportunity to photograph them

Curbar Edge

From Birchen Edge's trig point the view extended across to Curbar Edge and White Edge.

Heading across the moor below Birchen Edge this tree caught my eye.

The Companion Stone close to here alerted me to the fact this is an old stoop originally used to give directions across the moors.

Jack Flat

A strangely deserted Jack Flat was one of the benefits of our late start.

White Edge

White Edge from Jack Flat.

Wellington's Monument

Another benefit of the late start was the seat at Wellington's Monument being empty.

Gardom's Edge

Gardom's Edge is one of the few edges I've never visited. I really must put that right this year.

Gibbet Moor

We spent a quite a bit of time at Wellington's Monument enjoying the views across the valley, here looking at Gibbet Moor.

Derwent Valley

As ever there is a fine view of the Derwent Valley.

Bar Road

Heading down Bar Road.

Baslow

As you approach the entrance to the Chatsworth Estate you pass this thatched cottage, an unusual sight in Derbyshire.

Longstone Edge

Heading across the park the views soon open up, here looking back to Longstone Edge.

Jubilee Rock

The easiest way to find the path back to the Robin Hood is to head for the Jubilee Rock.

Gardom's Edge

A final view of Gardom's Edge before we took the wood lined path back to the Robin Hood, which suprisingly was closed despite all the cars in its car park.

 

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