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Walking and Rambling discussion

johnnychips

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Sheffield
I just wondered if any members wanted to share any interesting experiences and observations while they had been out and about. Certainly, walking (sometimes with RailUK members!) has kept me sane during this crisis.

I am not thinking detailed trip reports (“We ate Kendal Mint Cake and availed ourselves of our hip flasks before tackling the terrifying and exposed 1 in 13 climb up Hopton Bank on our High Peak Trail odyssey”) but perhaps briefer notes and pithy observations, maybe with the transport we used.

So today, I got the new Hulley’s X57 service to Snake Summit and walked the Pennine Way to Edale. Three things surprised me:
  • How dry the moors were, but also how much of the Pennine Way has become a paved path. No more getting your leg stuck in a bog in Featherbed Moss.
  • The number of people you pass who say hello, or you say hello to seems to be less and less. I’m sure only ten years ago, all walkers said hello to each other. Not that anyone was unfriendly.
  • Bikes on footpaths where they shouldn’t be; they should be on bridle paths. Doesn’t particularly annoy me but there were quite a few.
There being no room in pubs in Edale, New Mills and around Buxton market is another topic though...

Any contributions?
 
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CarltonA

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In the past year my days out on the trains have been severely reduced (still got value from my railcard though). This has meant getting back to a serious amount of walking in the local Chiltern area. I've been enjoying it so much I wonder if I will be returning to the cushions as much when the pandemic has subsided.

A couple of years back I had a lunch break at Grindleford Station Cafe in Derbyshire whilst on a walking holiday. It was doing a good impression of a 1970s BR tearoom though the prices had kept pace. They had some weird ideas such as selling tea and coffee by the pint.
 

al78

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So today, I got the new Hulley’s X57 service to Snake Summit and walked the Pennine Way to Edale. Three things surprised me:
  • How dry the moors were, but also how much of the Pennine Way has become a paved path. No more getting your leg stuck in a bog in Featherbed Moss
I noticed this on a hike up Black hill in the Peak District over Easter. Progress was easy across the high moor and a 12 mile hike took me only four and a half hours. If the UK continues to cling on to this semi-arid climate I reckon we'll be seeing moorland fires again in the not too distant future.
 

Springs Branch

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...... They had some weird ideas such as selling tea and coffee by the pint.
Last time I visited Grindleford station cafe (a few years back), it was on a freezing, snowy February day after enduring a damp, icy cold ride from Manchester on a Pacer without functioning heating - so the pint of hot tea was just about the minimum quantity needed to thaw me out. Their generously-filled bacon roll provided a layer of insulating fat to prepare for the train ride home (fortunately that Pacer turned up with a working heater).
 
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yorksrob

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I just wondered if any members wanted to share any interesting experiences and observations while they had been out and about. Certainly, walking (sometimes with RailUK members!) has kept me sane during this crisis.

I am not thinking detailed trip reports (“We ate Kendal Mint Cake and availed ourselves of our hip flasks before tackling the terrifying and exposed 1 in 13 climb up Hopton Bank on our High Peak Trail odyssey”) but perhaps briefer notes and pithy observations, maybe with the transport we used.

So today, I got the new Hulley’s X57 service to Snake Summit and walked the Pennine Way to Edale. Three things surprised me:
  • How dry the moors were, but also how much of the Pennine Way has become a paved path. No more getting your leg stuck in a bog in Featherbed Moss.
  • The number of people you pass who say hello, or you say hello to seems to be less and less. I’m sure only ten years ago, all walkers said hello to each other. Not that anyone was unfriendly.
  • Bikes on footpaths where they shouldn’t be; they should be on bridle paths. Doesn’t particularly annoy me but there were quite a few.
There being no room in pubs in Edale, New Mills and around Buxton market is another topic though...

Any contributions?

I found that the Hall Inn at Hope was just the right level of busy for an enjoyable few pints - bustling, but not so bad that people had jelous designs on my table.

This was Friday afternoon, rather than Saturday though.

I was out rambling around Silverdale yesterday (Gait Barrow) and considering the beautiful weather, I was surprised how secluded it was. Stunning views of Lakeland and wildlife all around. Perhaps everyone else was at the pub :lol:
 

bearhugger

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Middlesbrough
I heard on local BBC radio that there has already been a warning issued about the North Yorkshire Moors and fires because of the recent dry spell of weather. I'm hoping to have a walk up to the beacon at Danby from the railway station one day this week and I will be on the lookout for adders warming themselves in the sun.
 

Peter Mugridge

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Here's a map of one I did yesterday; 8½ miles - took about 4½ hours. Clockwise circular walk starting and finishing at Ipswich railway station and taking in the local nature reserves.

1619353867091.png
 

Iskra

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West Riding
I just wondered if any members wanted to share any interesting experiences and observations while they had been out and about. Certainly, walking (sometimes with RailUK members!) has kept me sane during this crisis.

I am not thinking detailed trip reports (“We ate Kendal Mint Cake and availed ourselves of our hip flasks before tackling the terrifying and exposed 1 in 13 climb up Hopton Bank on our High Peak Trail odyssey”) but perhaps briefer notes and pithy observations, maybe with the transport we used.

So today, I got the new Hulley’s X57 service to Snake Summit and walked the Pennine Way to Edale. Three things surprised me:
  • How dry the moors were, but also how much of the Pennine Way has become a paved path. No more getting your leg stuck in a bog in Featherbed Moss.
  • The number of people you pass who say hello, or you say hello to seems to be less and less. I’m sure only ten years ago, all walkers said hello to each other. Not that anyone was unfriendly.
  • Bikes on footpaths where they shouldn’t be; they should be on bridle paths. Doesn’t particularly annoy me but there were quite a few.
There being no room in pubs in Edale, New Mills and around Buxton market is another topic though...

Any contributions?
We haven’t had any rain up here for around 2.5 weeks, but luckily some is due so the dryness won’t last.

I always find walkers very friendly and almost always say hi, apart from when on the busiest paths and trails as then it can just be constant.


I noticed this on a hike up Black hill in the Peak District over Easter. Progress was easy across the high moor and a 12 mile hike took me only four and a half hours. If the UK continues to cling on to this semi-arid climate I reckon we'll be seeing moorland fires again in the not too distant future.
Lucky you, I did Black Hill in September and nearly came away with trench foot :D My walking pole came in handy for probing the ground to see if I could step there safely. Last spring I did Kinder Scout and a bloke was stuck in the ground waste deep in the mud :D

Fear not, the current dry spell is the exception not the rule.


I found that the Hall Inn at Hope was just the right level of busy for an enjoyable few pints - bustling, but not so bad that people had jelous designs on my table.

This was Friday afternoon, rather than Saturday though.

I was out rambling around Silverdale yesterday (Gait Barrow) and considering the beautiful weather, I was surprised how secluded it was. Stunning views of Lakeland and wildlife all around. Perhaps everyone else was at the pub :lol:
The Silverdale AONB is very much under the radar, as most folk drive past it to go to the Lakes instead. It is a beautiful area and usually quiet and unspoilt by tourists. I would recommend the Trough of Bowland for the same reasons.

- - - - -

My favourite hike is Glenridding-Striding Edge-Helvellyn-Glenridding. I never get bored of it.

E94D4F6E-86FF-4422-A836-3ADC53ED8AF2.jpeg
9566E86E-4C68-47C3-9F9F-C9507C1231F5.jpeg
I’ve also enjoyed walking around High and Low Force too:

77E31736-9FD2-49BE-BDE9-4DDCFFC091F6.jpeg8B46B739-6ECE-4C94-BAE9-57A6452C5500.jpeg
Coming up, I have Whernside and then I’m doing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in June which is sure to be a challenge!
 

Jamesrob637

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I noticed this on a hike up Black hill in the Peak District over Easter. Progress was easy across the high moor and a 12 mile hike took me only four and a half hours. If the UK continues to cling on to this semi-arid climate I reckon we'll be seeing moorland fires again in the not too distant future.

Rather have one brief torrential shower every (other) day than the persistent drizzle the UK often seems to get! Then you know when you can get out without being rained on.
 

eastwestdivide

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The number of people you pass who say hello, or you say hello to seems to be less and less.
Not noticed that - if anything the opposite, as if people have been cooped up for ages and are glad to say hello to someone.

I found that the Hall Inn at Hope was just the right level of busy for an enjoyable few pints - bustling, but not so bad that people had jelous designs on my table.

This was Friday afternoon, rather than Saturday though.
We may have unwittingly passed each other, as I was in Hope on Friday too.

There was plenty of space on the trains from Sheffield (4-car 150s), and while a walk via Lose Hill/Hollins Cross had a fair few people, you wouldn't have called it busy.

Bonus Class 20 on the way back over the fields between Castleton and Hope - pure lucky timing:
Hope branch train 23apr2021.jpg
 
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Jan Mayen

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Sussex
Did a short walk between Ham Street and Appledore the other day, partly along the Royal Military Canal Path. Found way finding on other paths a bit tricky.
This morning around 200 people (according to the guard) got off the train from London at Lewes, most of them geared up for a walk.
 

Kite159

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Did a short walk between Ham Street and Appledore the other day, partly along the Royal Military Canal Path. Found way finding on other paths a bit tricky.
This morning around 200 people (according to the guard) got off the train from London at Lewes, most of them geared up for a walk.

Lewes does give good access to the South Downs. I'm hoping to alight there next Monday (weather permitting) and walk along the river towards Seaford.

Walked Marlow to Henley today along the River Thames, busy in Marlow & very busy at the Henley end but peaceful in the centre section.

Unusually saw a trio of Aquacars launch into the river (caught up with them later on when they were going up a lock)
 
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S&CLER

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Today (Sunday), I took the 09:38 through train from Southport to Blackburn as far as Littleborough, walked from Littleborough station to Summit along the Rochdale canal, then crossed over the road and got up on to the path (Pennine Bridleway) that follows the course of Summit Tunnel, before branching left to the Todmorden Centenary Way, round Cranberry Dam to Ragby Bridge, down the delightful Ramsden Clough to near Walsden and back along the canal to Littleborough. Very dry everywhere, and cold on the tops despite the sunshine. Just after the point where the TC Way is joined by the higher level Long Causeway, you have to watch carefully for the unsignposted turnoff to the left to get to Ragby Bridge, as what looks like the main track veers right. If you want to avoid duplicating the canal walk, you can get from Littleborough to Summit by another steeper route passing the Field of Dreams animal sanctuary.
 

duncanp

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Looking forward to a trip to Manchester this coming Saturday to walk along the Fallowfield Loop (section from Levenshulme to Fairfield) and then on May 15th along the Bristol & Bath railway path from Lawrence Hill to Staple Hill.

It is nice to be able to plan such trips after being under house arrest for the past three months.
 

unlevel42

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X57 Sheffield - Ladybower- Snake- Glossop- Manchester
Use it or lose it.
For all the over 60s a Derbyshire Wayfarer valid on all trains and buses in Derbyshire and to/from Sheffield is £6 70
 

eastwestdivide

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X57 Sheffield - Ladybower- Snake- Glossop- Manchester
Use it or lose it.
For all the over 60s a Derbyshire Wayfarer valid on all trains and buses in Derbyshire and to/from Sheffield is £6 70
and for completeness' sake (from https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/trans...the-derbyshire-wayfarer-day-rover-ticket.aspx):
  • £13.40 for an adult (plus one child under 16)
  • £6.70 for a senior citizen (aged 60 or over), a child under 16 (a dog may travel in place of a child) or a holder of a Gold Card or other English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) pass
  • £24 for a group of up to 2 adults and up to 3 children (a dog may travel in place of a child)
 

al78

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Rather have one brief torrential shower every (other) day than the persistent drizzle the UK often seems to get! Then you know when you can get out without being rained on.
I'd be glad of a full day of rain and clag on at least one weekend day in May. I am backpacking across Knoydart at the end of May and I would like the opportunity to check my waterproofs are up to the job.

Fear not, the current dry spell is the exception not the rule.
The current dry spell is a cooler and frostier version of last year. To be honest it seems these locked in weather patterns are becoming more common, which is in line with the Arctic amplification and weakened jet stream theory.
 
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Typhoon

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Kent
Did a short walk between Ham Street and Appledore the other day, partly along the Royal Military Canal Path. Found way finding on other paths a bit tricky.
This morning around 200 people (according to the guard) got off the train from London at Lewes, most of them geared up for a walk.
I've walked round there are few times, usually quiet when I've been (midweek and early or late in the year). You may already be aware of them but there are some decent walks on the Explore Kent website (https://explorekent.org/walking-in-kent/ including one for Appledore https://explore-kent-bucket.s3.eu-w.../02/17183750/walks-in-east-kent-appledore.pdf. I would check any public transport information.

There used to be similar guides for Sussex but they seem to have disappeared.
 

D365

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There was plenty of space on the trains from Sheffield (4-car 150s), and while a walk via Lose Hill/Hollins Cross had a fair few people, you wouldn't have called it busy.

Bonus Class 20 on the way back over the fields between Castleton and Hope - pure lucky timing:
View attachment 95054
Nice shot. Would love to know the route you walked, I’ve only done a Hope-Castleton walk via Mead Farm so far - using the footbridge over the Earles branch.
 

eastwestdivide

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Nice shot. Would love to know the route you walked, I’ve only done a Hope-Castleton walk via Mead Farm so far - using the footbridge over the Earles branch.
Come out of Hope on Pindale Road (roughly opposite the Spar), and as it heads uphill, take a right onto a marked footpath that more or less follows the south bank of the stream (Peakhole Water). Follow this pretty much westwards and you'll end up in Castleton, via the foot crossing over the cement works branch.
In reverse, coming out of Castleton, follow the A-road until you nearly run out of houses, and then there's a marked footpath (initially a farm track) on the south side of the A-road. Easy to see the path in green on OS maps, e.g. here via Bing maps:

By the Mead Farm route, do you mean the one across the weirdly-curved slightly bouncy footbridge? We used that as the route up to the summit of Lose Hill for a grandstand view of the Hope Valley line, then along the ridge to Hollins Cross, down into Castleton for an ice cream, and back across the fields to Hope as shown above. About 7-8 miles round trip from Hope station in the end.

Last Friday there were at least two trips up and down, one mid-morning that I only heard, and one mid-afternoon that I photographed. I've even seen a train on the cement branch on a Saturday morning.
 

johnnychips

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I am hoping to do the Kinder Round in Derbyshire on Saturday, which basically tours the edge of the plateau. Anybody done it? Some websites say it is boggy, as it is on the top, others say it is quite dry as it skirts the edges.
 

Iskra

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I am hoping to do the Kinder Round in Derbyshire on Saturday, which basically tours the edge of the plateau. Anybody done it? Some websites say it is boggy, as it is on the top, others say it is quite dry as it skirts the edges.
Fairly dry when I did it last year, should still be pretty dry due to lack of rainfall recently. Even todays rain hasn’t done much.
 

johnnychips

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Fairly dry when I did it last year, should still be pretty dry due to lack of rainfall recently. Even todays rain hasn’t done much.
Much appreciated, just need to get up for the first X57 now!

I did the Kinder Round, getting the X57 to the Snake Summit, doing the round then walking back to Hayfield, where I had to wait an hour for a bus to New Mills, which just fails to connect with the hourly train to Sheffield.

Still, had a great day. Some snowflakes on top and the path was rather rocky in places rather than boggy.
 
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Peter Mugridge

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Another 8 mile circular walk today, this time anticlockwise in Cambridge starting and finishing at the railway station. The distance covered does include some not very straight exploration of the historic part of the town. Again, I have drawn the route on a Google Maps screenshot below:

1619909658710.png
 

S&CLER

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I wanted a walk today that wouldn't involve getting up too early, was an easy train journey and somewhere I had never walked before (increasingly difficult to find). Looking at OS Explorer sheet 277 Manchester and Salford, I noticed two wooded valleys north of Heywood that looked interesting. So I took the 09:38 Southport-Blackburn as far as Castleton (GM), walked past Castleton Rugby League ground and across fields to Crimble Lane and Crimble Mill, then along the south (left) bank of the River Roch to Hooley Bridge and Simpson Clough. The walk along the deep clough of Naden Brook, through Gelter wood, turned out to be a delight, well worth a visit. The entrance to this path is not signed and I went 200 yards past it, but a kind couple pointed out that I needed to go through the car park of an estate of static caravans .

From the end of the clough I turned left and back uphill to the hilltop St James's church Ashworth, from where there are excellent views (but the pub shown on my 2001 OS map is no longer there). I returned down Ashworth lane to Ashworth Hall Fold, then cut across to the wooded valley of Cheesden Brook, and back to Simpson Clough from where I retraced my steps to Castleton station, but on the other (right) bank of the Roch as far as Crimble Mill. A very nice walk, took me 4 hrs 30 mins (11:17 to 15:47). The train for Southport ,due 16:06, was delayed by faulty doors in the rear 2-car unit and left 14 minutes late.

One of the attractions of the Manchester area is that there are several good paths along green corridors, often alongside watercourses, which feel as if they are well away from a built up area, but which still allow you a quick escape to a bus route if you need it for any reason. The Medlock Way is my favourite of these.
 

apk55

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Altrincham
Keen rambler here
Often out several times a week as I am retired
Often organize walks for a local rambling club as well as go out on my own. While I do occasionally use public transport most journeys are by car.
Last walk was on Sunday which I organized for my local rambling club which went from Moss Bank Park (Bolton) up Winter hill about 11 mile mile long.
 

unlevel42

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South Yorkshire-if you are fed up of the Peak District then the eastern borders have plenty of opportunities for all interests and abilities and Brompton** friendly.
Chesterfield Canal using Kiveton Park (in South Yorkshire) railway station. Pub on doorstep.
Going West:one of the loveliest canal stretches with plenty of locks to Shireoaks(Notts) or Worksop
Going East toward Chesterfield. Only parts of the Canal currently exist but lots of interest. Supertram at Halfway nr Rother Valley CP.

Kirk Sandall,Thorne North*, Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle and Althorpe stations and the 84b Doncaster to Sykehouse bus.
Fabulous big sky, fenland, nature reserves, boat yards, aqueducts, South Yorkshire, Aire and Calder, river Trent, Old/New river Don, Pit winding gear.

Penistone/Barnsley to Conisbrough

*Access of the Doncaster to Goole platform by steps up from road or overbridge.
**Forbidden in nature reserves.
 

eastwestdivide

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...Chesterfield Canal using Kiveton Park (in South Yorkshire) railway station. Pub on doorstep.
Going West:one of the loveliest canal stretches with plenty of locks to Shireoaks(Notts) or Worksop
Going East toward Chesterfield. Only parts of the Canal currently exist but lots of interest. Supertram at Halfway nr Rother Valley CP...
East/West the other way round?
For a linear walk, it's possible to go west from Kiveton Park over the former canal tunnel, under the M1, then down the flight of derelict locks to Rother Valley CP, round the lake and onwards to the tram at Halfway.
 

unlevel42

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East/West the other way round?
For a linear walk, it's possible to go west from Kiveton Park over the former canal tunnel, under the M1, then down the flight of derelict locks to Rother Valley CP, round the lake and onwards to the tram at Halfway.
Yes,too many pints in the Station pub more likely.
The route East from Kiveton Park to Shireoaks along the Canal is more attractive but sitting in the pub at the end of the walk at Kiveton Park also has its attractions, but don't dawdle as the closed gates stop you from getting to the Sheffield platform.
 

Kite159

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Saturday I did my first walk designed by the Walking Club, between Ockley station & Warnham station. Quite a scenic walk with woods with limited road walking. A good way to spend a few hours on Saturday morning.


Although I did run into a film set in one of the woods for some historical drama which delayed me for around 10 minutes when they filmed two people having an argument.

Afterwards I walked from Shelford to Guildford, but doing a loop to cover part of the old Cranleigh railway line, before walking along the river.
 

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