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Padley Gorge - Peak District Walk
Thursday 28th September 2017
I headed out today on a walk that was in part research for my photography. The plan was to see how autumnal-like the leaves were in Padley Gorge whilst also hoping to get to Over Owler Tor for the sunset.
Start: Surprise View car park (SK 2523 8012)
Route: Surprise View car park - Bole Hill Quarry - Padley Gorge - Burbage Valley - Carl Wark - Hathersage Moor - Over Owler Tor - Millstone Edge - Surprise View car park
Distance: 5.25 miles Ascent: 286 metres Time Taken: 3 hrs
Terrain: Clear paths, some across moorland
Weather: Warm and sunny
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Lawrence Field Lawrence Field](2017-09-28/lawrence field.jpg)
Looking across Lawrence Field and much of the Longshaw estate from the road.
![Hope Valley Hope Valley](2017-09-28/hope valley.jpg)
I usually take one of the footopaths into Lawrence Field but today I continue down the road and get this view across the Hope Valley to Offerton Moor.
![Hope Valley Hope Valley](2017-09-28/win hill.jpg)
As I go through the gate to access the footpath to Bole Hill Quarry the view widdens out to include Win Hill.
![Bole Hill Quarry Bole Hill Quarry](2017-09-28/footpath.jpg)
Despite the traffic walking down the road to this entrance avoids the narrow path
and descent I usually follow into the wood and makes accessing the wood much easier.
![Bole Hill Quarry Bole Hill Quarry](2017-09-28/millstones.jpg)
The much photographed millstones that are found in Bole Hill Quarry.
![Bole Hill Quarry Bole Hill Quarry](2017-09-28/bole hill.jpg)
It is really peaceful walking through here, with just the sound of some climbers over to my left to 'disturb' the silence.
![Bole Hill Quarry Bole Hill Quarry](2017-09-28/bole hill1.jpg)
I opt for lunch in the shade of the trees, although finding a spot that wasn't
damp and muddy proved a little tricky.
![Bole Hill Quarry Bole Hill Quarry](2017-09-28/quarry.jpg)
I don't have much time to explore the quarry today but the light
catching this tree, next to the rocks, catches my attention.
![Padley Gorge Padley Gorge](2017-09-28/powder store.jpg)
As I follow the footpath into Padley Gorge I pass this building,
it previoulsy stored the powder used in the quarry.
![Padley Gorge Padley Gorge](2017-09-28/padley gorge.jpg)
It is only a few yards from the main footpath through Padley Gorge.
![Padley Gorge Padley Gorge](2017-09-28/padley gorge1.jpg)
The trees haven't yet turned orange and yellow so it looks like I'll have to come back
in another couple of weeks to see if I can get a similar shot with autumnal colours.
![Burbage Brook Burbage Brook](2017-09-28/falls.jpg)
I had planned on taking some long exposure shots of the falls but had left one vital bit of equipment at home, yet another excuse for returning here.
![Burbage Brook Burbage Brook](2017-09-28/stream.jpg)
Once out of Padley Gorge the ascent stops and there is a lot less mud to avoid.
![Longshaw Estate Longshaw Estate](2017-09-28/leaves.jpg)
Signs of Autumn as I approach Burbage Bridge.
![Carl Wark Carl Wark](2017-09-28/carl wark.jpg)
Having crossed the road I only passed two other people during the rest of the walk.
![Burbage Valley Burbage Valley](2017-09-28/burbage valley.jpg)
Looking along a strangely deserted Burbage Valley.
![Fiddler's Elbow Fiddler's Elbow](2017-09-28/fiddlers elbow.jpg)
Looking towards Fiddler's Elbow as I start the muddy ascent towards Carl Wark.
![Higger Tor Higger Tor](2017-09-28/higger tor.jpg)
The sun lights up Higger Tor as I approach the path that links it to Carl Wark.
![Carl Wark Carl Wark](2017-09-28/carl wark1.jpg)
I debate heading onto Carl Wark for some shots of Higger Tor but pass because I'm concerned I might not make Over Owler Tor before sunset. I should have checked the time because I had an hour to spare.
![Longshaw Longshaw](2017-09-28/longshaw.jpg)
Heading across the moor and I get a great view across the moor to Longshaw Lodge.
![Hope Valley Hope Valley](2017-09-28/hope valley1.jpg)
Looking towards the Hope Valley and I'm starting to notice a bank of cloud appearing.
![Over Owler Tor Over Owler Tor](2017-09-28/over owler.jpg)
Heading along the path towards Over Owler Tor.
![Higger Tor Higger Tor](2017-09-28/higger tor1.jpg)
Looking back to Higger Tor from Over Owler Tor.
![Mother Cap Mother Cap](2017-09-28/mother cap.jpg)
Looking towards Mother Cap from Over Owler Tor.
![Hope Valley Hope Valley](2017-09-28/hope valley2.jpg)
When I reached Over Owler Tor there was still an hour until sunset so I sat on the rocks admiring the view across Millstone Edge trying to decide where to set up my camera.
![Beehive Beehive](2017-09-28/beehive.jpg)
Some time was spent wandering around the Beehive and Mother Cap trying to decide if there was a location I liked.
![Mother Cap Mother Cap](2017-09-28/mother cap1.jpg)
Neither location appealed so I decided to change my plans and headed for Millstone Edge.
![Over Owler Tor Over Owler Tor](2017-09-28/over owler1.jpg)
Looking back to Over Owler Tor from Millstone Edge.
![Eyam Moor Eyam Moor](2017-09-28/eyam moor.jpg)
Sunset over Eyam Moor, from Millstone Edge.
![Offerton Moor Offerton Moor](2017-09-28/offerton moor.jpg)
The light is starting to fade as I take a final shot of Offerton Moor before heading back to the car park.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023