Saturday 1st November

Leader, Report & Photos: Mike B

Walk Report

Route – Little Longstone, Great Longstone, Bakewell, Ashford in the Water, Monsal Trail

A group of 7 walkers met at Longstone Road at Monsal Head. The group included two members from Worksop Rambers. The weather forecast was for early odd showers and it clearing up before lunch.This remained so for the duration of the walk and the group were treated to blue skies.

The group set off and followed the road down past the Pack Horse Inn to pick up the footpath across 5 fields towards Great Longstone. After negotiating the back streets of Longstone to emerge onto fields again and joined the Monsal Trail for a short section. Then came off and  headed towards the A6020 and to go under the Monsal Trail. After a short walk along the road the group followed the path up and through Cracknowl Wood to emerge past Cracknowl House and on to the hill overlooking Bakewell and a suitable place for a coffee stop. Good views across towards Longstone Edge and Rowland.

After this break the group descended down the bridleway past the old chert mine and onto Holme Hall. A group photo opportunity was taken at the bridge here. After which the group followed the River Wye into Bakewell and around the busy town centre to find the footpath through the churchyard at the All Saints Church, Bakewell and on to the footpath that heads East behind the church. This section was a steady climb and after crossing Stanedge Road the group dropped down to very boggy section before Crowhill Lane. A bit of nifty footwork was required here to avoid having boots full of mud but all was well. After which the group continued across uphill across fields to reach Lower Cowden Farm and lunch was taken here.

The group followed the lane for 1/2 mile going past Dirtlow Farm to then take the footpath down past the mast and the steady descent into Ashford in the Water. An opportunity use the toilets here was taken before the group moved on through the village passing Highfield Farm and onto the boggy path behind Thornbridge Hall and onto the Monsal Trail. The group crossed the trail and followed the footpath trough fields to reach Little Longstone and returned to the start.

A varied circular walk with a nice amount of climb and was enjoyed and appreciated by the group.   

Distance: 8.6 miles
Elevation: 1300 ft