I always like to get out for a walk on New Year’s Day. Bit of a tradition, and so often it’s a cracking
day weather wise. Well this year wasn’t
one of them but it was certainly good enough to make the trip out worthwhile.
I’d never been up to Bamford edge before, but having seen
many photos taken from there I was determined to make it at some point and when
I heard that the sinkholes were just starting to overflow the route choice was
decided.
And what a route! It’s
certainly one I’ll do again as it has so much of interest, so many photo opportunities,
and some great views of the peak district.
It almost felt a bit greedy having it all in one walk.
After parking in Bamford just below the excellent Angler’s
Rest Pub and Rest Café we picked up a quick coffee to go and headed up Bamford
Clough. Here we were greeted with a road
closed sign but assumed that did not mean pedestrian access and carried
on. I would describe the Clough as a
track at best and it is a steep climb to the top but the quick height gain can
be appreciated by the expanding views.
 |
| Looking back down Bamford Clough |
From the top of the track (where looking back it says
footpath closed – might be worth checking out if attempting to follow this
route) it’s over the road and onto Bamford Edge. You can stick to the main footpath but must
work your way over to the rocks on the edge at some point to pick up the vista
which includes Win Hill and much of Ladybower. A classic Peak District View. In the picture, you can just see the white
water of the overflow in the corner by the dam. 
We carried on walking along the edge until when reaching a
wall cutting across the path, we took the path leading down the left which
leads through some moss covered woodland and eventually over a stile into the
wood, where you can then work your way through to the main road and the dam at
the bottom of the reservoir.
Again, having no recollection of seeing the sinkholes in
action this is a real treat and plenty of photos taken at either end of the
dam.
Taking a right at the end of the dam and then a left fork
begins the climb up to Win Hill. There
are various path options on the way up, but we managed to pick the correct path
which leads out of the woods via some steps and brings us to the heather that
covers the north side of the hill. A
tremendous sight in the autumn when the purple flowers cover the heather. Still a lovely brown on this New Year’s Day and
the sun is making its first appearance as we make our way up the paths that cut
through the heather and up onto the ridge.
Then the final ascent onto the rocks and the fantastic 360 degree views.
After a quick bit of cake and a drink it’s the descent back
down towards Bamford, and it’s here that route choices started to work against
us slightly but made for an entertaining finish to the walk. Firstly, about half way down we had a choice
of dropping straight down to the valley or taking the slower descent across the
fields to Thornhill. The Thornhill route
proved to be a pleasant route with good views until we arrived at the sign post. After that is was an absolute mud slide down
to the Thornhill cycle way at the bottom.
Son number two kept us entertained with a comedy fall and the rest of us
managed to just about keep our feet with much slipping and a sliding.
Once at the bottom we made a cut across the fields to
complete our walk by crossing the Derwent river by the picturesque Bamford
Mill. But what I hadn’t banked on was
that the crossing was half bridge and half stepping stones and that the second
half of the stones would be well under water. Half an hour later when round the other side I
did watch a man in wellies easily make the crossing but with a guarantee of
some very wet feet and the fast-flowing water, meant that a retreat was in
order and, as the route shows, a detour via the Thornhill way back to
Bamford. Still no issue as the café was
still open and drinks and cakes were enjoyed by the fire as the rain that had
pretty much held off all day began to pour down. Perfect timing.
