19th April 2014 - Longstone Moor & Cressbrook Dale
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.5 miles
Total ascent: 1517 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route desciption: Monsal Head-Little Longstone-Dale Farm-Longstone Moor-Foolow-Wardlow Mires-Cressbrook Dale-Cressbrook-Water cum Jolly-Monsal Trail-Monsal Head
Yesterdays warm sunshine for my walk in the Lakes didn't last for my walk in the Peak District today with my Dad and youngest brother, Andy. In fact there was a distinctly chilly breeze blowing but it did brighten up towards the end of the walk.
From Monsal Head we followed the road to Little Longstone before taking a footpath to Dale Farm and then the track onto Longstone Moor. After visiting the top of Longstone Moor we followed a path across farmland to the A623 and then the road into Foolow. From Foolow we made our way to Wardlow Mires and down Cressbrook Dale to Cressbrook. We crossed the Wye at Water-cum-Jolly to pick up the Monsal Trail which took us back to Monsal Head.
Total ascent: 1517 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route desciption: Monsal Head-Little Longstone-Dale Farm-Longstone Moor-Foolow-Wardlow Mires-Cressbrook Dale-Cressbrook-Water cum Jolly-Monsal Trail-Monsal Head
Yesterdays warm sunshine for my walk in the Lakes didn't last for my walk in the Peak District today with my Dad and youngest brother, Andy. In fact there was a distinctly chilly breeze blowing but it did brighten up towards the end of the walk.
From Monsal Head we followed the road to Little Longstone before taking a footpath to Dale Farm and then the track onto Longstone Moor. After visiting the top of Longstone Moor we followed a path across farmland to the A623 and then the road into Foolow. From Foolow we made our way to Wardlow Mires and down Cressbrook Dale to Cressbrook. We crossed the Wye at Water-cum-Jolly to pick up the Monsal Trail which took us back to Monsal Head.
Route map
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I did take a picture of the view from Monsal Head but the one I took at the end of the walk was better. The Victorian chapel on the way to Little Longstone.
Passing the Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone
Taking the track onto Longstone Moor
The path skirts around the southwest of the moor before heading for the top. Looking down into the Wye valley.
The hill of Wardlow Hay Cop to the northwest
To the southwest the deep valley of Monsal Dale can be made out
A cairn marks the top of Longstone Moor
Heading north bound for Foolow
The cross on the village green of Foolow
Crossing fields from Foolow to Wardlow Mires and we can see the head of Cressbrook Dale
Starting our walk down Cressbrook Dale. The limestone tor on the left is Peter's Stone.
I did visit the top of Peter's Stone but I took this shot looking back to the head of the valley from the grassy saddle below
Making our way down the valley..
..and then we'll take the path that traverses the hillside before heading down again
Great views of Cressbrook Dale from the hillside path..
Down into the woods
Passing Ravensdale Cottages
In the village of Cressbrook. Cressbrook Mill is now home to apartments.
By the River Wye at Water-cum-Jolly
The Wye crashes over the weir
Onto the Monsal Trail for the final bit of the walk. Looking down Monsal Dale..
..and back towards Cressbrook
Lots of cyclists use the trail so keep your wits about you
The River Wye from the Monsal Head viaduct
Finally back at Monsal Head with a view of the viaduct and..
..Monsal Dale