Members:  Maggie Baldock, Christine Beeston, Midge Castick, Joe Dugdale, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Mark Rothwell, Dave Shotton.

Guest: Rob Jarratt.

The team set off towards Leadmill Bridge then took a rising path to Offerton Moor, with good views over to crags from Baslow to Millstone.  On the south edge of the moor we had morning tea + cake on a perfect pair of benches, with views overlooking Abney and across to Eyam Moor.

Next we headed south to a strip of access land upstream of Bretton Clough, wandering on little paths through miniature hills, like The Shire or Peppa Pig world.

Finally we climbed back up and over Abney Moor to get back to the Hope valley and a squelchy riverside walk back to Castleton and a pub, sadly too early for Rob to try out his Christmas Headtorch.

Thanks to all who came along for your company, and top meet points to Midge, Mark G and Michelle for taking the train to and from the Peaks.

I had a lot of fun working out a route between the Dark and White peak maps, the best bits of this walk could be done in a circuit from Shatton for a shorter day.

Hathersage - Castleton walk

Distance:  9-10 miles (route can easily be made shorter if needed, or there are options to take a lower level route if you don't want to do the full walk)

Meet: Castleton visitors centre carpark at 09:50 or Hathersage Railway Station at 10:40 (see tranport options below)

Get 2024 off to a good start with this interesting wander over the moors south of the Hope Valley - chat about plans for 2024, show off your new hat, walk off the mince pies, share the rest of the christmas cake... 

The walk rises through the south side of the Derwent valley to Offerton Hall, then over Offerton Moor and a detour to take in Abney Moor, before heading back to Castleton. 

Transport options:

1) Park at Castleton carpark, get the 272 bus at 10:06 which arrives in Hathersage at 10:23, then walk to Hathersage Station.  The bus station in Castleton is on the main road - turn left out of the carpark and continue towards Hope, go round the right hand bend and it's a bit further on the left.  Allow 10mins to walk.

2) Train to Hathersage - the 09:31 from Piccadilly gets into Hathersage at 10:30.  (or you could get on at Romiley at 09:49 - free parking on Sundays).  You'd need to get to Hope station at the end of the walk - walk from Castleton or get the 272 again, there are buses at 15:06,16:08, 17:06 which take about 7 minutes and stop near the station.  Plenty of teashops and pubs in Castleton and Hope if you need to wait!

I'll keep this page up to date with any changes, and post any alerts on the walking whatsApp and Scribble.

I hope you can make it! 

Please let me know if you decide to get the train to Hathersage 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Christine