Walking through Edale, which is much quieter than when we were last here on Good Friday.

We can never walk alongside this short section at the start of the Pennine Way without recalling a walk many years ago where the path was a sheet of ice and it took us and numerous others a good 15 plus minutes to negotiate this section.

Looking back towards Ollerbrook Clough and Blackwall Plantation as we follow the Pennine Way.

Ringing Roger from the same spot, another place on the I must get back there list.

Looking along the Vale of Edale towards Lose Hill as we approach Upper Booth.

As we start to descend towards Upper Booth the direction of our view changes and we are now looking along the Vale of Edale towards Kinder Scout and Brown Knoll.

As we head along the track towards Jacob's Ladder, Noe Stool and Edale Rocks, on the edge of the Kinder Plateau, come into view.

Looking back along the Vale of Edale with Mam Tor and Lord's Seat now in view.

Approaching the packhorse bridge at the foot of Jacob's Ladder.

Looking back down on the bridge as we start the climb up Jacob's Ladder path.

As we climb higher we are rewarded with views back down the Vale of Edale.

Looking across to the rock formations on Edale Head as we approach the top of Jacob's Ladder.

Looking across to The Cloughs as we reach a rather large collection of stones that I don't recall from previous visits here.

At the top of Jacob's Ladder we leave the Pennine Way and turn left along a narrow clough that will take us to the gate just below Swine's Back. We had lunch in the shelter of the wall by the gate, which offered us some protection from the strong wind we had encountered when we reached the top.

Heading along the path towards Brown Knoll we opted to keep an extra layer on as the wind was helping to keep the temperature down, despite the blue sky and sunshine.

Heading along the path we get our first view of South Head (L) and Mount Famine (R).

Looking back to our lunchtime spot and the path to Swine's Back.

Following the slabs we soon reach the stile which gives us access to Brown Knoll.

As we approach the trig point the view back now includes hills beyond Mount Famine such as Chinley Churn.

The trig point at Brown Knoll, which is currently being given it's three yearly assessment by the Peak District Park Ranger who is leaning against it.

It was quite a pleasant surprise to be able to easily access the trig point as since we were last here flagstones have been laid around it. Talking to the Park Ranger it actually turned out that these were the second set to have been laid, as the first set sunk into the mud.

Leaving the trig point we found ourselves following a stone flagged path across the moor, which I kept expecting to end, but sadly it never did.

Looking across to Rushup Edge and Mam Tor from the path across Brown Knoll.

Grindslow Knoll and Kinder from the same spot, don't let the blue sky fool you, there was a cold edge to the strong breeze coming across the moor.

The view back to Brown Knoll as we draw level with the airshaft from the Cowburn Tunnel.

The Chapel Gate path comes into view, which means the slabs will finally be coming to an end. They may make for quick progress and protect the ground but I'd rather be doing a bit of bog-hopping.

It was with some relief we joined the track to Rushup Edge, which thankfully hadn't been slabbed as my feet were more than ready for a bit of uneven terrain.

Looking across to Eldon Hill Quarry and Slitherstone from the start of the path along Rushup Edge.

The summit of Lord's Seat is currently missing the fencing that usually surrounds it, although judging by the rolls of wire close by it may soon be back in place.

Looking along the Vale of Edale and the Great Ridge from just below the summit of Lord's Seat.

Looking back to Lord's Seat as we head along Rushup Edge.

We make quick progress along Rushup Edge, but are already missing the shelter from the wind that we had enjoyed whilst approaching Lord's Seat.

Mam Tor looks relatively empty at the moment, although as we reached the foot of it a big party set off in front of us.

Looking across to Winnats Pass from Rushup Edge.

Surprisingly, despite the large group who had set off up to Mam Tor's summit just before us, the summit was empty when we got there.

Walking along the Great Ridge turned out to be more of a challenge than usual, as the wind had picked up and at times it could send you sideways, especially if it caught you as you were on one foot.

Winnats Pass from lower down the Great Ridge, where it was now possible to stand still without being knocked about by the wind.

Looking back to Mam Tor from the Great Ridge.

As we approached Hollins Cross it appears that what had once been a wall is now numerous piles of stones. Some people call it art, sorry but to me it's just vandalism and I was sorely tempted to knock a few of them over, although I didn't.

Approaching Hollins Cross and as usual the number of people who make it this far along the ridge starts to decline.

The memorial at Hollins Cross and the point at which we will leave the ridge and head back to Edale.

We have come up this track numerous times and couldn't recall it being as narrow as we found it to be going down it, which gave us plenty of excuses to pause, look up and enjoy the view across to Grindslow Knoll and along to Edale Head.

 

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