Tag: UK walks

Family friendly walk in West Yorkshire; Hardcastle Crags, Gibson Mill and Lumb Falls circular

December 28th, 2023
A popular location for a beautiful Yorkshire walk is Hardcastle Crags, with over 15 miles of footpaths to choose from taking you through peaceful woodland, alongside flowing rivers, past a 19th century cotton mill, across moorland, through rugged valleys and to the beautiful Lumb Falls. This 9km circular route takes in all the best sites on this Yorkshire walk and can be done in either direction. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, solo explorer or a busy parent looking to take the kids somewhere, I guarantee that you’ll have a great day out at Hardcastle Crags. Just don’t forget to stop at the cafe on the way round for a cake and a cuppa.

Where is Hardcastle Crags?

Hardcastle Crags is located in West Yorkshire in the South Pennine Moors. Not far from Hebden Bridge, public transport links makes this walk a good option if you don’t drive or have access to a car although this will increase the distance of your overall walk. With over 15 miles of trails for you to explore, the National Trust have made it easy for you by providing a waymarked map with colour coded paths and ideas for different routes you can follow.

With so many beautiful sites to see in this area, I wanted a route that would combine a few routes together and allow us to see lots of the best sites in one go so keep reading for the route I followed and don’t forget to download the map.

Route Details for Hardcastle Crags walk

Leaving Midgehole Car Park, head downhill to the river as the first part of this walk takes you through a woodland paradise, which during Autumn is home to all the beautiful colours you would expect. The path follows alongside Hebden Water in the valley where the path is well maintained, although maybe a little muddy after some rain. It’s not long until you’ll reach the mill (around just 30 minutes) so enjoy your time in the woodland here – look out for squirrels and deer playing in the woodland too.

Gibson Mill

As you reach the mill from the woodland, you’ll see the back of it first (along with the cafe) and the old toll bridge used to cross the river. If you walk around the side to the mill pond, there’s a little path on the edge of the water that you can follow to get the beautiful reflection of the mill. Unfortunately it was covered in scaffolding when we visited but it’s still a beautiful site nonetheless.

Built in 1803 and used as a cotton mill with an internal water wheel, Gibson Mill has been through quite the transformation over the years. After the production of cotton ceased in 1890, the mill then became an entertainment venue before World War II offering visitors a dance hall, roller-skating and boating on the pond. Now, the National Trust maintains it while also providing an educational visitor centre where you can learn about its history.

Heading to Hardcastle Crags

From out the back of the mill, it’s a short ten minute stroll to Hardcastle Crags, a unique rocky outcrop which is signposted to the left. One thing that shocked me is that there was nobody else who had ventured further than the mill, with most people turning back around, maybe unaware of the crags not too much further along the path. Maybe they’d visited before but either way, we had this and the rest of the walk all to ourselves, which was a real treat for a nice Friday in the school holidays. The views from up here are beautiful and worth a quick stop before continuing with the walk.

Making your way to Lumb Falls

When we first arrived at the car park, the NT staff working there told me that they didn’t think there was a way to get across to Lumb Falls without coming back to the car park but I can assure you there is. Following the forestry track uphill through the woodlands we eventually reached a quiet road which we followed for just a few minutes before cutting right, following the public footpath towards Turn Hill. Navigation on this section is down to you as the path isn’t marked so I recommend downloading the Ordnance Survey or Komoot route or getting your map out to find your way.

This section really opened up the views for us and as we wandered across the boggy, squelchy moorland we couldn’t help but remark how wild this little section felt compared with the enclosed woodland we had just come from.

Eventually, after some successful navigation back to the path, we headed downhill and then down a steep grassy bank which led directly to Lumb Hole Waterfall.

Lumb Hole Waterfall

This little gem isn’t a hidden one and has been enjoyed by many for years as well as lots of wild swimmers. The two waterfalls cascade down over the slabs into a deep pool below and with the moss and fern growing around the outside it could be mistaken for somewhere more tropical (although the weather really ruins that thought).

During the summer months, Lumb Falls becomes crowded as visitors flock to this accessible waterfall so I’d definitely recommend leaving this one for out of season.

Returning to the car park

Heading back to the car park couldn’t be simpler. Retrace your steps away from the waterfall and follow the path along the hillside which leads you directly down the valley and back to where you started.

Map and key locations for Hardcastle Crags

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Parking at Midgehole National Trust Car Park

2: Through the woodlands alongside Hebden Beck

3: Gibson Mill & cafe

4: Hardcastle Crags and through the woodland

5: Following the path along Turn Hill

6. Heading back downhill towards Lumb Falls

7. Lumb Falls and a great swim spot if the river isn’t too fast flowing

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for walking around Hardcastle Crags and Lumb Falls
- The parking area fills up quickly at weekends and on nice days so arrive early
- There is a larger car park slightly further up the hill if the lower one is full
- There are visitor toilets nearby to the car park
- Collect a map from the welcome hut as you arrive – some of the popular routes are colour coded with matching waymarkers so you can choose your route and easily follow it.
- The cafe at Gibson Mill serves delicious cakes and food and a variety of hot and cold drinks and is the perfect place to stop
- The middle section of the route isn’t signposted so confident navigation will be needed – don’t forget to download the route to your phone before you go or use your map
- Lumb Falls is a great place for a swim but be careful if the river is in full flow
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Happy adventuring!

Izzy

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Peak District hike: circular route of Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook

December 9th, 2023
If someone suggests a “scrambly hike” as a day out, you’d be forgiven for not first thinking of the Peak District as the obvious destination but the Peaks is actually home to some of the best UK hikes and scrambles of different grading thanks to the endless supply of rocky, bouldery brooks and cloughs which are often running dry. Although not as high or exposed as scrambles you might have seen or experienced in the Lake District, Snowdonia or Scotland, scrambling in the Peak District can actually be a much more fun, alternative way to explore the area. Plus, these routes are often quieter so you can really hone in on your explorer skills and feel at one with the outdoors amongst the tranquility of vast moorland. The circular route of Fairbrook Naze, The Edge, Nether Red Brook and Black Ashop Moor is what feels like a remote one and will keep you on your toes (literally and figuratively) throughout the day; enjoy wild swimming spots, slippery scrambles, bizarre rock formations, vast boggy moorland, river crossings and friendly sheep – this Peak District hike really has it all!

*A grade 1 scramble is classed as an easy scramble with simple route finding and no requirement for technical skills or ropes but you may need to use your hands and this route definitely requires that. The route is slippery over the rocks and sure footedness is required as a slip could easily result in injury.

How to hike Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook

Starting at Snake Woodlands, the Nether Red Brook scramble can be done a couple of ways but is best tied in with Fairbrook Naze, a hike which I wrote about here. After scrambling up Fairbrook Naze and reaching the summit plateau famed for its fascinating (and totally random) rock formations, the walk from here along what’s known as The Edge (sounds like a budget rate horror film to me), takes you alongside many of these weird and wonderful formations including this one, which I tried, and ultimately failed, to climb.

After admitting defeat and soothing my bruised ego while my hiking companion giggled and rolled her eyes with that knowing look of “I knew you couldn’t do it”, we set back off along The Edge, a quieter part of the Kinder Scout plateau, making our way through more funky rock formations and along a well maintained path.

Glancing to the right, the views down towards Black Ashop Moor are ones that make you really feel like you’re deep in the wilderness (not just an hour or so from your car) but still, this area isn’t to be underestimated and it’s really important to understand that navigation in this area, when the weather comes in, can become incredibly challenging, especially if waymarkers disappear quicker than the white walkers in the fog (sorry if you’re not a Game Of Thrones fan – sorry that you’re NOT a fan that is).

Passing some more formations to make you go oooh, ahhhh you’ll eventually reach the top of Nether Red Brook where the path makes a turn left away from the edge and a right turn back towards it. There are no signs to mark this path which is why navigation is important or be sure to download the offline route to your phone from OS maps or Komoot. At the top of Nether Red Brook, the way down can seem unlikely but this scramble effectively follows the stream bed straight down.

Standing at the top of the rocky outcrop, not being able to see an obvious route down I questioned whether my map reading skills were really as accurate as I thought they were. Here I was, standing at the top of Nether Red Brook with my mum, who had already set off in front of me shimmying her way down a steep drop between two rocks after a fleeting, “this way is it?” but after one more quick check of the map I took a sigh of relief; it was definitely the right way.

The scramble isn’t technical but good balance, strength in your legs and arms and confidence over rough terrain is a must. There is a small path every now and again to hop onto but the majority of the route is over large boulders and you’ll have to navigate your way down over these.

Looking back up towards the way you’ve just scrambled down…

Eventually, you’ll find yourself in the base of the Valley known as Black Ashop Moor with no path to follow; not even the faintest glimmer of one to be precise and this is where your navigation skills will come in handy.

You’re heading for the small steam at the opposite end which will lead you back to wards Snake Woodlands but be prepared to lose a foot or even a whole leg to the boggy moorland swamp monsters which will try to suck you down to their peaty home if you make a wrong choice of step. At least if you get sucked into the pool of peaty mud, the view back up to where you came from is a nice final view.

After navigating through the moorland, the next obstacle you’ll face is the river crossing. I hope in your mind you’re picturing a whirlpool and rapid-ridden force of nature but actually it’s just a small one which, if your legs are long enough, you’ll be able to leap across in one foul swoop to the safety of the path on the other side.

Following the path downstream will lead you back towards Snake Woodlands and the view back is stunning during heather season with all the purple hues.

Eventually, you’ll reach the edge of Snake Woodlands and will continue following the path through the woods and back up towards your starting point. There is another wonderful little spot for a swim in Snake Woodlands which the path will take you next to.

Map and key locations for Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Roadside parking at Snake Woodlands

2: Footbridge below end of woodlands to cross over the river

3: A series of waterfall pools

4: Beginning of the steeper, rocky scrambling section of Fair Brook

5: Top of Fairbrook Naze, rock formations and the beginning of The Edge

6. Top of Nether Red Brook marking the scramble down

7. Boggy moorland crossing across Black Ashop Moor and river crossing (you’ll need to find a suitable crossing place yourself)

8. Path back towards Snake Woodlands

9. River running to Snake Woodlands and extra swim location

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for scrambling Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook
- The parking area in Snake Woodlands fills up quickly on a nice day so be sure to get there early or late in the day for any chance of parking
- There are no facilities on this route or in the car park
- The scrambles are slippery in places and require sure footedness and confidence on rough, scrambly terrain.
- The scramble down Nether Red Brook has a steep and relatively high drop to navigate
- Navigation across Black Ashop Moor is pathless so strong navigation skills are needed
- This route includes a small river crossing
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, check out my other blog posts and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.

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Happy adventuring and don’t forget to subscribe!

Izzy

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Peak District hike: Fairbrook Naze scramble with secret wild swimming spot

November 27th, 2023
Fairbrook Naze, the rocky outcrop not far from the top of the similarly named brook; Fair Brook, lies 619m high on the northern edge of Kinder Scout. The hike to it is a wonderful Grade 1 scramble up Fair Brook itself and is packed with waterfalls and many swimming spots. The sweeping view from the top of Black Ashop Moor, Kinder Scout and Edale Moor is one not to be missed while exploring the Peak District. This route really has it all; an easy stroll through magical woodlands, a fun scramble, waterfalls aplenty to quench your thirst for a wild swim, vast moorland views, those crazy rock formations that the Peak District is known for and as it’s a less explored area, the chance of you having it to yourself is really quite high.

At a Glance

Difficulty: Moderate due to Grade 1 scrambling sections

Distance: 4.22km (one way). Option to retrace steps back down or create a longer loop once at the top of Fairbrook Naze.

Total ascent: 301m

Est Time: 1hr 30 mins (without swim stop and one way)

Starting location: Snake Woodlands parking

Parking Cost: Free

Dog friendly: Only if confident with grade 1 scrambles.

Key features: Beautiful woodland walk, well-marked and maintained paths, multiple wild swimming spots along the route, stunning views from the top.

*Please note: A grade 1 scramble is classed as an easy scramble with simple route finding and no requirement for technical skills or ropes but you may need to use your hands and this route definitely requires that. The route is slippery over the rocks and sure footedness is required as a slip could easily result in injury.

Fair Brook, one of the many brooks flowing down from the breathtaking and wild moorland that is the Kinder Scout plateau, eventually finds its way to the River Alport and down into the stunning Ladybower Reservoir. The scramble up Fair Brook is bouldery, slippery and a gentle uphill all the way but you’re rewarded at the end with a beautiful vantage point and, on a nice day, uninterrupted views in all directions.

Route Details for Fairbrook Naze in the Peak District

Starting at the Forestry England car park in Snake Woodlands, the route starts by crossing the main road and heading down into Snake Woodland. An area popular with countless Peak District visitors, the woodlands really hold that magical spirit with towering pine trees occasionally making space for the sun to shine on the forest floor, the River Alport tricking alongside for paddling and swimming in and quite often, families and lone campers camping out on the river banks.

Unfortunately, Snake Woodlands is regularly strewn with discarded disposable BBQs, beer cans, bags of rubbish and other, shall we say, human waste that is never nice to come across from these very campers. With the number one rule to wild camping being Leave No Trace, it is truly heartbreaking to see the outdoors being left in such a state. Be mindful that there are no facilities here and to take anything home with you that you brought in.

Continuing with the route, after crossing the road and heading into the woodlands, you’ll soon see a beautifully photogenic bridge to cross leading you further into the forest. Keeping the river on your right hand side, pass another bridge and carry on through the woodland. Eventually, you’ll come out at the end of the woods and the path will take you high onto a cliff edge looking down at the river.

As you carry on along this path, another bridge crossing the river will appear in front of you. As you cross this bridge, you’ll soon see a brook with a handy signpost signalling Fair Brook and the start of your route. At first, Fair Brook is a mere trickle and the path to your right heads off alongside it. Eventually, the small river will appear more powerful and you’ll start to see some potential swim spots. Keep an eye out to your left hand side for the perfect waterfall pools. With absolutely no self control, I decided to stop at the first one I found rather than going to investigate further up before deciding. The swim spot was nestled down a steep slope (but one which has a well trodden path down) which would be slippery in wet weather and was hidden behind an overhanging tree branch.

With a small waterfall flowing over the edge, the pool is deep enough for a few strokes and the wall of stones at the end could be classed as a small infinity pool if you really use your imagination! Once you’ve had your wild swim fix, head back up to the path and carry on following it uphill. This is where, if you’re a beady eyed swim spot hunter, you’ll find other swimming spots; choosing which one to dip in is the most challenging part of the hike you’ll have come across so far! As you gain height, the moorland path will lead you to spectacular views back down the valley before reaching a noticeably more rocky section which marks the beginning of the scramble.

As you approach the huge, imposing bouldery section, there is an easier path to the right but to really feel the scrambling experience, I opted for a simple “straight up and see what happens” route. The scramble itself is Grade 1, as mentioned above, meaning there’s no technical demands but it definitely requires use of your hands, with some big steps up, lots of pulling yourself up and it was incredibly slippery on some rocks even after a period of no rain.

The way up is obvious here but the route you choose will come down to personal preference as you clamber up and over the rocks. Eventually, it becomes less demanding and as you continue following the river up towards the flat plateau at the top.

Once you reach the top, head along the small path to your right and onto the interesting rocky outcrop of Fairbrook Naze. The views here are sensational and really encourages you to feel the wilderness of this area. It’s the perfect place for lunch to take everything in while looking back down on the scramble you’ve just completed.

Once you reach the plateau at the top, retracing your steps back down is an option but there are plenty of other routes to make this into a circular back to Snake Woodlands too which will require some independent planning. However, if, like me, you’re a big fan of a scramble, then I recommend linking this one with Nether Red Brook – keep an eye out for the next blog with all the details you’ll need to tie in the two scrambles to make an awesome day out in the Peaks.

Map and key locations for Fairbrook Naze

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Roadside parking at Snake Woodlands

2: Footbridge below end of woodlands to cross over the river

3: A series of waterfall pools

4: Beginning of the steeper, rocky scrambling section

5: Top of Fairbrook Naze marking the end of the scramble

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for scrambling Fairbrook Naze
- The parking area in Snake Woodlands fills up quickly on a nice day so be sure to get there early or late in the day for any chance of parking
- There are no facilities on this route or in the car park
- The scramble is slippery in places and requires sure footedness and confidence on rough, scrambly terrain.
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, don’t forget to subscribe, check out my other blog posts here and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.

Happy adventuring!

Izzy

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Easy Chee Dale Circular walk from Miller’s Dale

August 30th, 2023
This 4km loop is one of the most incredible walks in the Peak District. The stunning River Wye offers up an astonishing amount of natural beauty; from lush, green rolling countryside to a 200ft beautifully craggy limestone gorge, an abandoned quarry and historical lime kilns as well as THOSE famous stepping-stones. If you enjoy wild swimming, then this is definitely a walk I would remember to pack my swimming costume for!

At a glance

Distance: 3.83km/2.4miles

Est Time: 1 hour (not including any rest or swim breaks)

Starting location: Miller’s Dale Car Park, SK17 8SN

Cost: £4.75 for all day parking (coins or card). Correct at time of writing (June 2023).

Difficulty: Easy – this route is well signposted with obvious paths however it can be slippery after rain and incredibly muddy. With some of the paths heading across rocks and down a couple of rocky slopes and alongside the river some sure-footedness is required. The elevation is only 60m so this would be suitable for all levels of fitness. Be mindful that in wet weather, some of the route may be underwater therefore to enjoy this walk for its full potential, it would be best enjoyed during dry weather.

Dog friendly: Absolutely! With lots of places for your beloved pooch to cool off in and with the walk being relatively short, it’s definitely dog friendly.

Key features: Abandoned quarry and lime kiln, Chee Dale limestone gorge and stepping stones, Monsal Trail tunnels.

England’s ever popular Peak District, with its varied terrain and picturesque rolling hills is a place worthy of its popularity. In the middle of the Peak District, known more readily as the White Peak and not too far from Buxton, lies Chee Dale; a stunning, and at times magical feeling, limestone gorge that hugs the winding Wye River. Hidden below the Monsal Trail lies this accessible trail that really packs a punch into such a short walk.

Route details for Chee Dale circular walk

The walk starts from Miller’s Dale Car Park (a large paid car park with enough space for 80 cars) and the location of an abandoned railway junction. The railway station was built in 1863 by the Midland Railway and served as a junction for trains between London and Manchester. The station closed in 1967 but the once derelict building has now been renovated and serves as a self-guided centre called The Goods Shed where you can find out more about its rich history. Location 1 on map below.

From here you follow signs for Buxton and head along the Monsal Trail (watch out for cyclists) surrounded by woodland on each side of you. On your right you’ll see a sign for the “top of lime kilns” and following this will lead you into the disused quarry where cliffs tower above you. There isn’t an awful lot to see here but once you rejoin the path, you’ll eventually reach the old limekilns. Location 2 on map below.

The abandoned lime kilns were in use from 1880 until 1944 and produced over 50 tonnes of quicklime per day but today the kilns are home to wildlife including swifts which nest in the boxes secured high up on the buttresses. Inside the kilns you can see the remains of fireplaces where the burning process took place and keep an eye out for hibernating bats in winter too!

Carrying on down the Monsal Trail you’ll reach a bridge (you might even be lucky enough to see people abseiling off it) with a stepped path down the side leading to the riverbank (Location 3 on map). It’s signposted Chee Dale and you want to follow this down to the riverside. At the river, don’t cross under the bridge and instead head upstream. The next couple of miles take you alongside the stunning River Wye as it makes its way along the valley. The surrounding nature, wildlife, flowers, wild garlic and trees are worth stopping to enjoy as the scenery then changes quickly. There are also some great swimming spots around here if you want to have a quick dip!

As you head deeper into Chee Dale Nature Reserve the limestone gorge starts to tower over you with rocks and the cliff face hanging overhead. You might notice climbing equipment drilled into the limestone here or if you’re lucky, maybe a brave soul making their way up the wall. This section of the walk is jaw-dropping and you really feel so small standing under these huge cliff faces. Location 4 on map.

Now the bit you’ve been waiting for – the stepping-stones! The line of stepping-stones is quite long and you may have to turn around if you bump into someone coming the other way at the same time. There are excellent photo opportunities here and the stepping-stones really add a bit of childish fun into the walk. It’s worth noting that they can become covered in heavy rain and there’s also another set of stepping-stones about another mile up the river but this route misses those out. Location 5 on map.

After the stepping-stones, the path continues up river for a short distance until you cross under a viaduct and see a path cutting left up the hillside. If you follow this path, it will lead you onto the viaduct above and the entrance to the Chee Dale Tunnel looms in front of you (location 6 on map). This tunnel forms part of the 8.5 mile Monsal Trail, a spectacular traffic-free route suitable for cycling, walking and horse riding between Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale and Coombs Road in Bakewell. Following this tunnel will lead you all the way back to the car park at Miller’s Dale where you started.

Map and key locations for Chee Dale and the Stepping Stones

To access the route on the OS Maps App click here and you can download the route to your phone.

Locations

1: Parking at Miller’s Dale

2: Disused quarry and lime kiln on the right of the path

3: Path down to the riverbank underneath the viaduct

4: Limestone gorge at Chee Dale

5: Chee Dale stepping-stones

6: Path back up to the next viaduct and the entrance to the Chee Tor tunnel that will lead you back to the car park

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for visiting Chee Dale and the stepping stones
- Arrive at the car park early or later on in the day. Even though it is a large car park, it’s a popular location so it does fill up quickly especially during weekends and school holidays.
- In or after bad weather the river level will rise and the stepping-stones will likely be under water so I’d probably save this one for after a period of dry weather.
- Some of the banks can become quite slippery in wet weather so caution is needed in these sections.
After your visit, I recommend heading into Bakewell (not too far down the road) and making a naughty stop off at Cake Corner – an absolutely delightful shop selling a delicious selection of handmade cakes. You won’t regret it, trust me!

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