Curbar Edge - Peak District Walk
Saturday 3rd August 2019
Having returned from the Lake District in July this was our first opportunity to get back out in the Peak District. Given the recent heat we opted for a walk that we knew wouldn't be too challenging if the temperature turned out to once again be on the hot side.
Start: Curbar Gap car park (SK 2630 7467)
Route: Curbar Gap car park - Curbar Edge - Froggatt Edge - Grouse Inn - White Edge (TP) - Curbar Gap car park
Distance: 5.75 miles Ascent: 252 metres Time Taken: 3hrs 25 mins
Terrain: Clear paths
Weather: Warm and dry
Pub Visited: Wheatsheaf Inn, Baslow Ale Drunk: Ringwood Brewery, Boon Doggle
Looking back to Baslow Edge as we head onto Curbar Edge.
As might be expected, given the time of year, the edge is busy or at least it is close to the gate and car park.
Move away from the gate and the crowds start to disappear.
Rather than walk along the path we try to stick to the edge in order to enjoy the views back towards Baslow Edge and the Derwent Valley.
Looking ahead to Froggatt Edge and a view down the other end of the Derwent Valley, with a distant Win Hill on the left and Bamford Edge on the right.
Across the valley Eyam Moor and the summit of Sir William Hill are visible.
Looking across Stoke Flat as we take the easy path off Curbar Edge, rather than drop down through the rocks.
Looking across the Derwent Valley the wooded Coombs Dale stands out as it snakes its way towards Longstone Moor.
Looking back towards Curbar Edge just before we head into the wooded section of Froggatt Edge.
Once we head into the woods we will lose the views along the Derwent Valley.
At this time of the year everything is very green, including the ferns, whose height certainly adds to the humidity we are about to experience.
We make the short diversion off the main path to explore the stone circle, which is barely visible with all the ferns.
Back on the main path everything is green, although the
bits of shade the trees do give us is very welcome.
Just as we approach the road we spot a new path which takes us towards Stoke Flat and means we avoid the nastiest bit of road walking.
Win Hill is seen through the trees as we follow the path and wonder where it will take us.
What is does mean is that we can enjoy a lunchspot looking across to White Edge and away from any crowds.
Having done a shorter than expected stretch of road walking we soon find ourselves in the wooded area below White Edge. It could be the last bit of shade for a while.
Having climbed up towards White Edge the view behind us now takes in Eyam Moor on the left, with Offerton Moor on the right.
White Edge, which will be our return route.
Heading along White Edge we find ourselves walking through the heather and grass, which makes a pleasant change from the bog-hopping that is often part of a walk along here.
As we head along White Edge the one thing that is obvious is that the cloud is building, for which we are quite grateful, given how little shelter from the sun there is along here.
As we start to climb White Edge Moor comes into view.
Looking across Stoke Flat and along the Derwent Valley.
We soon find ourselves at the trig on White Edge, which marks the highest point of the walk.
Looking back along White Edge from the trig and across Big Moor to Higger Tor.
Once past the trig we soon reach the end of the ridge and enjoy the view across Eaglestone Flat to Baslow Edge and beyond.
The new path, which they had just started creating the last time I was here, is now complete and it does make this section of the walk far easier, no dodgy wooden bridge and slippy mud to struggle with.
It is almost a year since I was last here and it looks like it will be some time before the path becomes a less prominent feature and blends in with its surroundings.
As we approach the car park we pass one of the Companion Stones that can be found in this part of the Peak District.
Even closer to the gate into the car park is the stoop that the Companion Stone is associated with. No need for it to mark our route today, we know where we are going next, a well earned pint is calling us.
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