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Middleton Moor - Peak District Walk
Friday 11th August 2023
I hadn't planned on doing a walk today but as it was such a nice evening we decided to swap our evening walk around our local streets for one on Middleton Moor instead. It also gave John an opportunity to see how his ankle is recovering from an injury that has meant walking for him has been off the agenda since we came back from Northumberland.
Start: Middleton Top car park (SK 2749 5516)
Route: Middleton Top - Middleton Moor - Moor Farm - High Peak Trail - Middleton Top
Distance: 2 miles Ascent: 69 metres Time Taken: 1 hr
Terrain: Clear paths
Weather: Warm with a strong breeze
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
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We started the walk by visiting the Engine House at Middleton Top.
Powered by steam it was built by the Butterley Company
in 1829 to pull the wagons up the steep Middleton incline.
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One of the wagons remains at the top of the incline.
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We backtrack and take the path up to Middleton Moor.
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Heading uphill gives us a good view across to Alport Height, which is easily identified by all of the radio towers on the summit.
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Looking across to Cromford Moor and the mast close to the summit of Bolehill.
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Given how pleasant an evening it was I was surprised that there was no-one else around, especially as it seems to be a popular dog walking route.
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From the small mound we get a clearer view of Black Rocks.
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We can also look across the Derwent Valley to Riber Castle.
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As we were enjoying the view across the Derwent Valley the only person we would see on the walk came along the track from Middleton.
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Once we had gone through the gate we diverted off the footpath to visit the old ruined house, although all the nettles around it stopped us exploring it.
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Although there was quite a strong breeze as we crossed the moor it was a warm and quite pleasant one.
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We cut across the field to pick up the track that takes you to the trig point, but the gate into the field where the trig point is was padlocked so we passed on visiting the trig.
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The main reason for visiting the trig was to enjoy a better view of Carsington Reservoir, which we can just about see from the track.
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Looking across to the unnamed lane as we head down to Moor Farm.
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We pass by what looks like a deserted Moor Farm, although there is machinery in the sheds along with some plastic wrapped bales.
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We follow the track down towards the High Peak Trail.
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Once we join the High Peak Trail we find ourselves in quite a bit of shade.
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As we approach the car park at Middleton Top we can once again enjoy some late evening sunshine and the view across to Alport Height.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023