20/10/2019 Coach Walk - Eyam via Snake Pass

8:00 start with 17:30 return

A Walk - Higger Tor and Froggatt Edge with Dave Colbert
12 miles (20km) with 2350ft (720m) Total Ascent

The River Derwent meanders its way south from Ladybower Reservoir overlooked to the east by a lengthy gritstone escarpment, part of which we will traverse on this walk.

Starting from Hathersage we first climb to Higger Tor, turning south to the hill fort of Carl Wark on Hathersage Moor and Toad´s Mouth Rock. It´s then through the Longshaw Country Park, where our route crosses the line of the 3.5 mile Totley Tunnel, second longest on the UK´s rail network, to reach Froggatt Edge. This leads to Curbar Edge and a steep descent through Curbar village to the River Derwent. A short length of river walking takes us to New Bridge, from where we head westwards to Stoney Middleton and Eyam. 


B+ Walk - Peter and the Boundary Stone's with Kevin Poole
10 miles (16.1km) with 1150ft (351m) Total Ascent

Starting in Eyam we head west following a lane through a maze of drystone walls. Foolow and Silly Dale :) are avoided by turning south to Wardlow past the landmark Peters Stone. We gain higher ground, pass Hey farm and on to Longstone Moor. At Stoney Middleton a short climb takes us past one of the famous Boundary Stones and back into Eyam for refreshments and the coaches. 


B Walk - Plagiarism with Chris Cook
8 miles (12.87km) with 1000ft (304.8m) Total Ascent

We walk through Eyam, passing Bradshaw Hall to Tidswell Lane where we find a track across fields to Foolow. Arriving in Foolow we bear right at the Bulls Head to climb a long slow hill on the road to Bretton (unfortunately the footpath we should have taken has been closed due to a sink hole!). We bear left at the Barrel Inn at Bretton where we have superb views all around before taking a path down to Stoke Ford. From here we climb over Eyam Moor to Sir William Hill Road where we gradually descent to the historic and picturesque village of Eyam.

Hopefully there should be enough time to look around here.

HAPPY DAYS!


C Walk - Eyam via the Derwent Valley with Joyce Bradbury
6½ miles (10.46km) with 532ft (163m) Total Ascent

Leaving the coach at Hathersage (free unisex toilets) we follow the Derwent Valley Trail on minor roads and field tracks to Grindleford. We cross a main road here then more field tracks and a roughish stretch through a wood bring us to Froggat Bridge. We now have to get up to Eyam.(Pronounced eem). First we have a rather steep climb on field paths to a busy road. We cross the road and follow more field paths to Stoney Middleton. From here we continue along a track which rises steadily to Eyam.

Many of the older buildings here have plaques giving the number of deaths and survivors during the village´s self-isolation during the plague. There are two cafes and a pub at the beginning of the village but the distance given is for the coach park at the far end.