8:00 start with 17:30 return
A Walk - Shutlingsloe & Axe Edge Moor with Dave Colbert
12½ miles (20km) with 2460ft (750m) Total Ascent
The western arm of the High Peak´s gritstone horseshoe is essentially a ridge of hills separating the limestone dales of Derbyshire (the White Peak) from the plain of Cheshire. This ridge comprises a number of distinct summits that break the 500m mark, including the strangely named Shutlingsloe (506m/1,660ft) and Axe Edge Moor (551m/1,808ft), both of which we traverse on today´s walk. Shutlingsloe is really a hill masquerading as a mountain, with extensive views in all directions on a clear day. Axe Edge Moor lies astride the main watershed of England and is the source of the rivers Dane and Dove, the former destined for the Irish Sea, the latter the North Sea via the River Trent.
Starting from the Tegg´s Nose Country Park on the Old Buxton Road just outside Macclesfield, we follow the Gritstone Trail to said Tegg´s Nose and a steep drop to Teggsnose Reservoir. We then wend our way through Macclesfield Forest, gradually climbing to the summit of Shutlingsloe and hopefully those views, before descending to the isolated settlement of Wildboarclough. Further climbing by way of Cut-thorn leads us to Three Shire Heads (where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire all meet), thence past Orchard Farm and on to Axe Edge Moor. We then descend northwards to The Terret before heading to Buxton by way of Grinlow Tower (otherwise known as Solomon´s Temple).
B+ Walk - Cat and Fiddle to Buxton - Somehow with Susan Banister
9 miles (15km) with 1200ft (365m) Total Ascent
We leave the coach at the Cat and Fiddle Inn, Englands second highest inn after the Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire. The inn houses a live web cam so that visitors can check the weather conditions up there (this has become a recent obsession of mine!)
Then we head south past Danethorn Hollow, Sparbent and Holt to reach Panniers Pool. This area is called Three Shires Head because the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire meet here.
After passing Orchard Farm we head north to Dane Head and Axe Edge Moor to meet the A54.
Then it´s back to Buxton via Buxton Country Park and Solomons Temple. The tower was built in 1896 and gives panoramic views of Buxton and the surrounding area.
B Walk - Buxton Circular with Chris Cook
9 miles (15km) with 1100ft (335m) Undulating Ascent
From the coach we head to the park and from there we cross the Golf Course then pass the farm and on through Watford Wood. From there we continue down Bishop's Lane to Plex Lodge then up to join the disused railway. We stay on this until we reach the path for Axe Edge Moor and onto Dane Head where we join a quiet road.
Continuing along the road we then cross the A53 and carry on to the H.S.E. laboratory and passed the reservoir to Grinlow Rd. Skirting the caravan park we go through the plantation and back to the park where we started the walk.
HAPPY DAYS
C Walk - Corbar & Grin Low with Bob Tognarelli
6 miles (9.6km) with lots of climbing. Total Ascent likely to exceed C walk limit
This is a walk through 2 woods, with the option visit to 2 icons of Buxton assuming our legs we can make the final climbs. From the coach drop off and toilets, its then onto the Pavilion Gardens and toilets.
The walk starts with a gentle amble through the Pavilion Garden, following the path along side River Wyre to Burlington Road, and the Serpentine Way leading to Gadley lane. Following the rough track along side Golf Club we climb up to Manchester Road. Turning left along Manchester Road we look for a Bus Stop which is the start of the path into Corbar woods. The climb to the Cross is optional, but offers better views of the area. The return follows gravel paths way down though the wood and onto the roads leading back to the Pavilion Gardens. Lunch in the park.
After lunch we follow the side of the Park to College road and Green Lane and pick up the track to the playing fields and the path which climbs into Grin Low woods. It´s all up hill through the woods, and if time allows visit Solomon´s Temple. For the descent we take the well defined paths and tracks leading to Poole´s cavern. From here its Temple Road back to the Park and the bright light of Buxton centre, where many drinking and eating establishments can be found.
