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A bit of background . . . The weekends are absolutely obligation free, and our time will cost you nothing. Maybe you have thought about doing something adventurous in the future but would like to test the waters closer to home - this is a great way to do so. So for the price of a tank of petrol, and a couple of nights stay (in the middle of nowhere) why not contact us for further details of one of the adventures outlined below. Each weekend starts at the location Friday night with the main event on the Saturday. The Sunday is planned as a shorter day allowing people time for the drive home. More Free Walking Weekends will be added to this page throughout the year. All details below are written by William Legon.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 6th December Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: Two great hills and a wonderful ridge line could be the recipe for a tough day on the hill. But don’t let a bit of challenge deter you from tackling this walk which incorporates two historic hills: Lose Hill and Win Hill. And, if you don’t yet know the history behind the naming of these two summits, then you will do by the end of this long day on the hill. We’ll start early and pack head torches – should be back in good time for the fire, great food and real ale back in the Cheshire Cheese! Sunday: Keeping it wild we’ll head up to Dovestone Tor above Strines Moor and Derwent Reservoir. If the weather’s on our side it will be idyllic views North East and West through rugged Dark Peak scenery. If the weather’s not so forgiving – it’ll be wet and wild and a great time to contemplate how good your waterproofs are! Time on the hill will be about two to three hours.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 10th January 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: Following the festive season this weekend’s walking always proves to be popular and the classic hangover cure that starts the New Year! For this weekend we present a whopper of a walk circumnavigating 26Km (that’s about 16 miles in old speak) of the Peak District. This is a riverside circular starting and finishing in Hathersage. From here we’ll head south down the riverbank to Grindleford and onto Froggat, up the hill to historic Eyam, onto Foolow, through Great Hucklow and finally via Bradwell before finishing the day . . . by the light of our head torches: can’t wait! Sunday: This will be a quiet day to contemplate the night before. Papers and coffee in a local café have been suggested . . .
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 7th February 2009 Base Camp: Monyash Saturday: This delightful walk makes its debut this weekend exploring three dales of the White Peak - Deep Dale, Monsal Dale and Miller's Dale. A beautiful circuitous route of about 12 miles offering little difficulty for even the novice hill walker: excellent! Sunday: You'll enjoy a great morning trudging this ancient land crissed crossed with its Bronze Age burial mounds, and classic limestone pavement exploring the hills around Chrome Hill. A fine way to end things before heading home and a personal favourite!
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 21st March 2009 Base Camp: Wildboarclough Saturday: A circular walk along the western edge of the Peak District, with extensive views over the Cheshire Plain. Taking in a mix of forest, open moorland and Cheshire's two highest points, with free parking at the start/finish. Sunday: We’ll take a look at the maps Saturday night in the pub and decide on what will make the perfect finish to this weekend’s trek.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 25th April 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: Starting at the car park just east of Errwood Reservoir this is an easy 12 mile circular route of the Goyt Valley in the western Peak District, taking in Cat’s Tor, Shining Tor, Cat & Fiddle and Burbage Edge. A little more remote than the usual honey-pots of the Peak District and, given a spot of good spring weather this walk could prove a proper little gem! Sunday: We’ll head up to Stanage Edge to take in a few miles along what is arguably Britain’s finest outdoor climbing wall.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 16th May 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: We’ll meet up at 0930, gaiters donned and ready to rock and roll - before heading into the nearby hills north of Hathersage trekking northwards for Stanage Edge. The day’s walk follows a circuitous route enjoying contrasting and beautiful scenery from the tops of Stanage and White Edge and finishing with the depths of the Derwent Valley. Following a great day on the hill is the usual great night in the pub! Sunday: A leisurely walk out of Castleton round the back of one of England’s oldest castles – headed round to a traverse of Mam Tor, Hollins Cross and Lose Hill with plenty nuggets of local folk lore. Ooh - love it! The day should be done by about 2pm, leaving people plenty of time for the drive home.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 7th June 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: We’ll meet up at 0900, gaiters donned and ready to rock and roll - before heading into the nearby hills north of Castleton trekking northwards for the Kinder plateau. The day’s walk follows a circuitous route enjoying contrasting and beautiful scenery from the rugged edge of Kinder Scout and returning us to Castleton via Rushup Edge. (Expect to walk 16 miles). Following a great day on the hill is the usual great night in the pub! Sunday: A chance to shake out the limbs with a leisurely walk from Froggat along the heights of White Edge. Ooh - love it! This day should be done by about 12 noon, leaving people plenty of time for the drive home.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 1st August 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: Another fine walk of contrasts – combining the rugged NE corner of the Dark Peak with a strong flavour of Victorian agriculture and engineering. This walk takes us through the picturesque country village of Bradfield before heading up to Back Tor and Derwent Edge which cast their gaze over the Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs – themselves steeped in history. A great walk over a rather cheeky 15 miles. Sunday: A short walk of total contrasts, this route takes in the villages of Eyam and Stoney Middleton, along the way passing through typical White Peak landscape of crags and caves. The ancient plague village of Eyam contrasts with the modern industrial workings of the Longstone Edge Quarry and those along Stoney Middleton Dale.
Free Walking Weekend commencing Saturday 3rd October 2009 Base Camp: Castleton Saturday: This walk has us begin our day on the Longshaw Estate. From here we will trudge up to White Edge – and once this height has been gained it’s all down hill from there on. (Well sort of/and not if you include the end bit). Along the tops we’ll find our way to the picturesque Peak District town of Baslow – our half way point at around 6 miles. From here we will travel back along the river (a complete contrast in scenery – but delightful nevertheless) back to our start point via Grindleford. Sunday: A short walk around the Burbage Valley taking local Peak District history from Viking burial grounds to Bronze-age hill forts. A lovely walk to shake out cob-webs before the drive home.
[Please note: Dates may be subject to change. Alternative and/or additional dates may also be arranged upon demand.]
While accommodation is not included in the price we will happily help you find something comfortable and to the liking of your budget - from campsites and barns to youth hostels and B&B's. All our weekends in the Dark Peak (Rock 1,2 &3, Hill Skills 1&2, and many free weekends) have us based in Castleton, the Hope Valley, which offers the following accommodation options. Camping and Bunkhouse YHA B&B Causeway House Cryer House Four Seasons B&B Rambler's Rest Willow Croft Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn How to get to Castleton With a view to helping the environment and keeping costs down you may be willing to share space in your car, or maybe you need a lift: either way, let us know and we'll see what can be done. If you are making your own way, try plugging the above postcodes into www.streetmap.co.uk and you'll be provided a great set of instructions. Alternatively take the train to Hope (in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire) and from there you can walk to Castleton (2 miles), get a taxi or take the 272 bus. Taxis will need to be pre-booked - try these numbers: Note - you must make arrangements to find Castleton in Derbyshire - there is more than one Castleton in the UK !
(Note: this is nowhere near Castleton) Bed and Breakfast This next place offers camping and B&B Rowson House Farm
Email will@will4adventure.com
for further details and for a place on one of our free adventures, or
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