The last section of the High Peak Trail.

Only 3 of us is week Rob was off medal hunting in Wakefield. We just wanted to finish the last bit of the Tissington/ High Peak trail. We parked close to where we parked last week at Sparklow. This place appears to have 2 names Sparklow on some maps and Hurdlow on others. Last week we headed south but this week it was north up the trail until we got to the end which was marked by a gate across the trail. Just after setting off we passed this house with cart wheels built into the garden wall and on the bank opposite was a scarecrow. We followed the old rail track and Geoff pointed out where the spur went up the hill (The Hurdlow Incline) which was abandoned 2nd January 1869 when it was replaced by the Hurdlow Deviation. When we got to the end of the trail we turned left onto another track which went alongside a huge quarry. Geoff pointed out where the railway had been on a slight built up area and now covered with trees. We had to battle through the trees along this section and we spotted this tree that had ladies underwear hanging from the branches.  We eventually came out of the trees into a field and you could easily make out where the trail tracks had been. Eventually getting onto a hard surfaced road that lead us down through Hurdlow Grange and past the Royal Oak and back to the car.

This weeks route

Heading north on the High Peak Trail from Sparklow

Blackcurrant bush 

Love this wall

Scarecrow

Snowdrops

The Hurdlow Incline

Lots of old farm machinery lying about

Geoff

End of the trail looking back from where we had come from

Massive quarry

Ike

This was once the route of a railway track

The knicker tree (at least 6 pairs hanging up)

Knicker Tree

Geoff and Ike in the middle of the track

Looking back to the quarry

A massive horse trough

Looks like an old lime kiln

This farm needs a bit of TLC

Joggers everywhere

Not the most attractive farm I've seen

A better view of the Hurdlow Incline

Bottom section of the Hurdlow Incline

Love this weather vane

Looking south

Looking north

 A lovely little walk just over 3 miles walking along some old tracks abandoned many years ago.
We got a bit wet but still a very enjoyable Sunday morning.
See you next week.