Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Edale, Derbyshire

The March walk is almost upon us and as promised there will be an option to travel by train. This will enable some post walk drinkies, for those that wish to, in 1 or both of the 2 pubs in Edale itself. Both have a great variety of real ales and food.

Walk Details

Distance: 12 Miles

Time: 5 to 6 hours including stops

The walk starts from the hamlet of Edale and rises, gently at first, up the spectacular valley of Grindsbrook Clough with some interesting climbing over boulders to emerge onto the southern flank of the remote Kinder Scout plateau. There are splendid views across the Vale of Edale and a sense of wilderness as the next stage skirts the head of the dale, passing some fascinatingly shaped gritstone boulders known as the "Wool Packs". The route then heads in a south westerly direction past "Pym Chair" to "Swine's Back" at the top of "Jacob's Ladder". There is an escape route from here descending "Jacob's Ladder" followed by an easy final stretch across the valley fields back to Edale.

The main route however continues in a southerly direction turning south eastwards over a stile and up across bleak open moorland to "Rushup Edge". Here the route turns eastwards and climbs steadily along the edge up to "Lord's Seat". There are again splendid views across and down the Vale of Edale. The route continues along the ridge and drops down to the foot of "Mam Tor". After a short section along the roadside the route follows a path northwards, gently descending down the hillside back to Edale for a well earned coffee or something stronger.

Although this is a fairly long walk it has only 1 steep ascent near the start. Most of the walk then follows the undulating hills around the Vale of Edale with a fairly gentle descent back into Edale.

Train Options

1. Frodsham to Edale

Depart Frodsham 07:25 Arrive Edale 09:29. Cost £15.30 or £9.95 if you have a railcard.

2. Warrington Bank Quay to Edale

Depart WBQ 07:39 arrive Edale 09:29. Cost £15.10 or £9.95 if you have a railcard.

3. Sankey to Edale

Depart Sankey 07:28 arrive Edale 09:29. Cost £15.10 or £9.95 if you have a railcard.

4. Liverpool South Parkway to Edale

Depart LSP 07:25 arrive Edale 09:29. Cost £19.10 or £12.60 if you have a railcard.

5. Liverpool Lime Street to Edale

Depart LLS 07:15 arrive Edale 09:29. Cost £19.10 or £12.60 if you have a railcard.

All train options have been arranged to connect with the 08:45 train from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield (stopping at Edale). For those wishing to travel by train we will meet under the electronic departure screens close to platform 1 at Manchester Piccadilly station.

Travelling by Car

It will take about an hour and 15 minutes to get to Edale. It is 50 miles from Runcorn to Edale costing around £12 in petrol for the round trip. Car parking is £5 for the day in Edale.

Walk will start from the car park at map reference SK124853. The car park is very close to the station but do not park in the station car park itself or you will end up with a ticket as it is for rail users only.

Please let me know if you are able to attend and if you wish to travel by train. I will definitely be travelling by train and Matt will travel direct from Birmingham to Edale by train meeting at Manchester Piccadilly.

Brian.