Introduction
I thought I would take my lead from Springwatch for this walk. Springwatch this year has been based in the nearby Longshaw Estate. The weather forecast indicated thunderstorms from lunchtime onwards, so I was out of the house by 7.30, and walking by 8.30.
I started the walk from Calver on the A623, near to the plague village of Eyam, and the renowned Chatsworth estate. It’s about 50 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.
The walk is 7.5 miles with 1000feet of ascent.
The weather was sunny and pleasantly warm, the wind increasing as the morning wore on.
It took 3 hours 30 minutes to complete and I was back at the car for lunch!
The walk is good for dog walking, with many well fenced paths and tracks, and no stiles.
I walked in a clockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.
I parked on Hassop Road, the B6001, postcode S32 3XN, What 3 Words driving.hairspray.admits
Calver To Pilsley
I wandered down into the centre of Calver, a fairly non-descript place with a Queen Victoria memorial streetlight in the centre.
Passing the Methodist Chapel, I was soon strolling alongside the peaceful River Derwent down towards The Chatsworth estate.
I crossed a few fields and rose away from the river.
as I approached the minor road between Baslow and Hassop, I spotted a lovely pair of brown hares.
It would be easy to not bother with the detour from the A619 to Pilsley, as it is a bit of a climb up and then back down again.
However, I’m glad I did it.
The view back as I rose up from the main road is lovely.
The village is samll, yet has a pub that’s still doing well, being owned by The Duke of Devonshire’s estate.
Pilsley To Hassop Common
I took a No Through Road past the pub, which soon became a track from which I turned right, beholding a magnificent view across the valley below.
I took it slowly down the hillside, stopping awhile for a drink and to enjoy the birdsong.
Back over the main road, a track runs alongside, and then through, the wood in the centre of the photo above.
Having crossed a small stream, the path rose through a wheat field, where a considerate farmer had cut back the crop to mark the path.
I suspect that the hall and hotel at Hassop are quite impressive, but they’re not visible from the road, so I walked on, keeping a steady pace on what is a long uphill march, first by road, then on a path to the hamlet of Rowland.
Above Rowland is a water service reservoir, clad in dry stone to blend with its surroundings. Unfortunately part of the stone wall has collapsed, quite dramatically.
At Hassop Common, the views down the Derwent valley are spectacular.
Hassop Common To Calver
This area is an expanse of former quarry and mine workings, all returning to nature with new shrubs and young trees emerging. It is becoming a haven for wildlife.
At this point , I met a couple of parties of walkers – unusual for me!
Looking down into this quarry, I was surprised to see a climber preparing to tackle the rockface.
After the quarry, a track meanders over the farmland before heading back down to the village of Calver.
All in all, this walk is classic White Peak country, but not on the classic tourist trail.
Thus, an absolute joy!
And Finally….
A couple of weeks ago we had the great delight of seeing now 78 year-old Iggy Pop in concert. He played some classic music, with the same vigour and quality as when we last saw him in 1977.
The set included this classic Stooges track
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