Out & About: Calver

Sunday, 6 September 2015

Coombs Dale and a Trek Around Calver Peak

Unfortunately i was ill last week and couldn't go with the boys and to rub in the salt they had a really good walk.
Full strength this week and my turn to drive so we set off up the A6 to Calver, the car temperature clock read 3 degrees. We parked at the triangle near the cross roads. It was a short stroll up the road then onto a track which lead us through Coombs Dale woods.
Initially a bit of a climb then a more gradual climb through the outskirts of the woods. It was hard going the footpath was uneven, slippy and was on a hillside at about 45 degrees which played havoc with your feet. For a spell i was last in the line and when i turned around we were being followed by some cows.
When we cleared the trees we got off track for a while and had to wade through the tall bracken but the views were magnificent looking down into Coombs Dale. We walked on a bit and then stopped for breakfast where we had views right over towards Chatsworth, we could see a few hot air balloons rising. While we were there a couple of lads came zooming up on trial bikes. From there we had a look at what remains of Deep Rake quarry, its well fenced off because it is very deep. The track back down the hill to the road was quite steep in places and very loose chippings, we passed this tree which was covered from top to bottom in moss. Crossed the road and decided to take a small detour along part of a track we have been on before sometime last year. This took us up onto a ridge which lead back to Calver although we had to come down a very steep bank. We passed some nice buildings in Calver and then back to the car.

Route around Calver Peak

Sunrise above Baslow Edge

Heading through the woods

This or that way?

Start of Coombs Dale with old mine workings showing up in the oblique light

This was hard going walking at this angle.

Followed by some cows

Look at the angle of this style that Geoff's on.

View deep into Coombs Dale a steep sided valley

Ike & Geoff

Geoff

More discussions which way to go

This bracken at the other side of the valley had strange channels through it.

Middle of nowhere is this lovely constructed barn

The last bit of Deep Rake quarry

Geoff

Geoff & Ike

Moss covered tree

A field of Willow Herb

Rob climbing over a fallen tree

Calver in the distance

Geoff & Ike

Rob

Calver

The 3 stoogies clowning around

Unusual building in Calver

Gordon Booker cricket ground

A milestone at Calver cross roads

This was another cracking walk just short of 4 miles but with a lot of different terrain and views.
See you next week.

Monday, 23 February 2015

Walk Around Calver & Bubnel

Just 3 of us this week, Ike was on Christening duty. We went up the A6 and parked outside the school in the lay by at Calver. This was a route none of us had been on so we were looking forward to it. We diverted slightly to have a look at these lovely little cottages just off the main road. Back on track we just followed the footpaths on the map. Unfortunately there was a lot of muddy tracks about just like last week. There was an initial climb up a muddy track and i managed to slip in the mud and skidded about 6 feet back down the hill. After we got to the top it was a lovely level track with some good views. Rob was in front and he heard a bird of prey sound and when he looked over the wall there was a pheasant amongst a load of feathers still twitching. Looks like something had just attacked it. We met an interesting chap out with his dog who had moved into the area and had a good natter with him. We stopped for breakfast in an area sheltered from the wind then carried on until we hit a road. WE spotted an odd looking stone structure in a field and still not sure what it is for. From there we just followed the track which was muddy again past Bubnell Hall then onto Calver. When we got to a small bridge Rob and myself gave our strong walking sticks (Rob had cut them from a hazel) to a young Chinese couple and he insisted on taking our picture. Back to the car and off home.