Watershed Walk
Wednesday July 1st 2009
The Community Transport mini-bus jolted and rattled its way over Woodhead and we were dropped at Fiddler?s Green before 8-30. After crossing the A628 and passing a clump of noxious giant hogweed we crossed the stile and followed the ancient salt corridor to Lady Cross. Here on the Etherow - Derwent watershed we headed up toward Bleaklow and made swift progress to the top of Round Hill.
There is a path worn into the acidic grassland leading by Near Small Clough Head passing Dean Stones to Swains Head then up on to Bleaklow crossing the two thousand foot contour to reach Bleaklow Stones. The warm dry weather had evaporated most of the water off the moor and it was level dry walking over to Bleaklow Head.
Our route now followed the Pennine Way we passed several other ramblers as we descended toward Hern Clough then trod the path by Alport Low and Old Woman, crossing the Doctor?s Gate causeway and reaching the Snake summit at 11-30.
Over the A57 and three miles of solid stone pathway took us by Moss Castle to Mill Hill, down passing the Liberator wreckage to Burnt Hill and onto Chunal for 1-20. Neville and Pat were waiting for us and Trevor left us, heading to The Grouse.
We crossed the road and followed Monk?s Road to Plainsteads before striking out onto the high ground east of Sitch and reaching to top of Whitley Nab, Jenny and Vic parted company. The remainder swung to the south marched past Herod Head Farm and crossed Monk?s Road to climb to the thirteen hundred foot contour on Cown Edge.
Now following the Cown Edge way we crossed the plateau, those in the rear percieved that a lady below at Rocks Farm doubted our right to walk Charlesworth 90. Along the Cown Edge Way we strode toward Robin Hood?s Picking Rods where we had a 3-00 break. Having crossed Gun Road the way was less obvious and as we made our way toward Sandhill Lane and Clough End, a group of frisky cows ganged up on our two dogs as we sought the line of the path across the meadows.
We reached Sandhills Lane and headed past the tumulus of Brown Low, finally descending to Sandy Lane Chisworth by way of Saunders Farm. Across the Marple Road and down beyond Far Woodseats to Broadbottom Beach. Across the Etherow onto Leyland Lane and away to Hodge. The last climb was up Moss Lane, reaching Broadbottom Station in time for the 4-57 train. Nine people completed all 20.5 miles of the walk.
Charlesworth Paths: - 21, 23, 87, 90, 101, 102, 103, 104 & 105
Chisworth Paths: - 10, 17 & 24
Longdendale Paths: - 73
David Frith
