Return drop off Leyland first
13.3 miles / 21.4km with 1900ft / 580m Total Ascent
We start off by heading south from Hathersage towards the River Derwent. After a short distance following the river, we turn left, past Kettle House and through Rough Wood. We continue past Grindleford Station and the entrance to the Totley Tunnel to Nether Padley where we ascend through Hay Wood to the A625. From here we walk along three of the many millstone grit edges in this area, firstly Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge (look out for adders), then northwards along White Edge to White Edge Moor (plenty of peat bog to enjoy here!). Apparently we may see Red Deer on the moors.
Next we head past Longshaw Lodge to Burbage Bridge. There are a few options for crossing Hathersage Moor depending on time and conditions. The easiest is probably via Winyards Nick, but we could go past Mother Cap and Over Owler Tor. Whichever we do, we will pick up the Mitchell Field, Scraperlow path at some point to return to Hathersage.
10 miles / 16km with 1,400ft / 427m Total Ascent
Leaving Hathersage we cross the river Derwent at Leadmill and the begin our ascent of Eyam Moor. From here we drop down into the plague village of Eyam. Here in 1665 the bubonic plague (Black Death) arrived in cloth from London carried by fleas. The villagers kept themselves in quarantine until the plague ended in 1666 having killed 260 out of 350 villagers.
As we pass through the village watch out for rats as it is on their blood that the fleas feed. Leaving the village we pass a small enclosure named the “Riley Graves” where victims of the plague were buried, from here we descend to the river Derwent which we follow back to Hathersage.
8 miles / 12.9km with 1100ft / 335m Total Ascent
There is mud - quite a bit of it ... and puddles - but the views in every direction are stunning.
We leave the coach heading down to Leadmill Bridge and after a few yards of riverside walking the climb begins towards Mount Pleasant, then up through Callow Wood to Callow Farm. A further short steep climb brings us to a gravel track taking us to the beautiful Grade II listed Tudor Manor House Offerton Hall.
A steep descent then further undulations on the gravel track take us to the hamlet of Shatton and the A618 which we cross. Going under the railway line and further footpaths lead to the A6013 which we cross and walk beside a very short way before the second steep climb of the day up Saltergate Lane and Hurstclough Lane.
Descending down Coggers Lane a short way, a footpath on the left leads through fields to Birley Lane and further on, Bronte Cottage. Going south, footpaths lead to Baulk Lane where we can divert to St Michael & All Angel´s Church to visit the grave of Little John - one of Robin Hood´s Merry Men who was reputed to have originated from Hathersage. From the church it is a short walk to the main street and refreshments.
6 miles / 9.7km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent
This is a linear walk today, starting from Ladybower Reservoir and finlshing at Hathersage. We leave the coach at the south end of the reservoir (Toilets here) and cross the dam to join the paved Derwent Valley Trail which gradually descends to Bamford.
We leave the Trail to climb Saltergate Lane, which is quite steep, to reach the path across the golf club, eventually reaching Thorpe Farm. We then turn south down Coggers Lane and Bank Top where we have more paths to take us to St Michael´s Church. Here we will see the grave where Little John of Robin fame is buried. From here it is a short walk to Hathersage for refreshments and the coach.