White Edge - Peak District Walk
Wednesday 5th June 2024
With a dry day forecast we decided to make the most of it and headed out to do a favourite route along the edges but extended it a bit to venture into Longshaw Estate. It might have been dry for most of the walk but it felt more like March than June as we walked along White Edge, a fact that more than a few people we passed commented on.
Start: Curbar Gap car park (SK 2622 7470)
Route: Curbar Gap car park - White Edge (TP) - Hurkling Stone - White Edge Moor - Wooden Pool - Longshaw Lodge - Grouse Inn - Froggatt Edge - Curbar Edge - Curbar Gap car park
Distance: 8.25 miles Ascent: 291 metres Time Taken: 4 hrs 10 mins
Terrain: Good paths
Weather: Cold and windy with sunny spells later
Pub Visited: The Wheatsheaf, Baslow Ale Drunk: Guinness
Having made a relatively early start the path to White Edge is clear of any other walkers.
Having reached the corner of the wall we look back across Eaglestone Flat to find there appears to be a rain shower heading our way.
However look the other way towards Sir William Hill and it is a totally different story. Maybe we will get lucky and the shower will miss us.
The shower doesn't miss us and is heavy enough to see us packing cameras away and putting our waterproof coats on. By the time we have done that and taken a few steps it has blown over us.
Looking across Curbar Edge to Longstone Edge it looks like a few more showers might be heading our way. They were forecast for the first hour or so of our walk but at least the strong wind means they will blow through quickly.
Ahead of us it is all blue sky and sunshine as White Edge's trig comes into view.
Now we have reached the trig point and look back across Eaglestone Flat where down the Derwent Valley it appears to be brightening up. However that strong wind that is blowing the clouds across so fast is also a cold wind, so coats and fleeces stay on.
Looking across to Curbar Edge, it is looking a bit grey again, but actually the showers pass us by until we are virtually at the Longshaw Estate.
Looking along White Edge. Our route will take us beyond the edge to the trees whose tops we can just about see in the distance.
Looking up the Derwent Valley and Win Hill is lost in cloud as another shower blows through.
A few minutes later it is a totally different view.
Looking back along White Edge.
The Companion Stone on White Edge, when walked in this direction, is a sure sign that the end of the edge is close.
As we reach the end of White Edge we have the option to turn left and head downhill to the Grouse Inn or continue straight ahead onto White Edge Moor.
Looking across the valley to Sir William Hill and Eyam Moor before we cross through the wall.
White Edge from the wall.
Heading across the moor there were still a couple of boggy or wet spots that made us glad we had decided to wear our gaiters despite it being June.
As we approach the Wooden Pole we find ourselves packing the cameras away again as the final shower of the day crosses us.
Having crossed the road and entered the Longshaw Estate we are once again back in sunshine, but still wrapped up warm against the wind.
Walking through the grounds of Longshaw is always easy going, and today was no different.
As we reach the trees behind Longshaw Lodge we begin to wonder if we can finally take our waterproofs off.
We took advantage of the benches in front of the buildings to have a quick coffee break. Whilst the sun is shining on Higger Tor we are still well wrapped up and now we are away from the shelter of the trees we are once again exposed to the cold wind.
Looking across to Mother's Cap and Over Owler Tor from the benches in Longshaw.
Heading through the estate at this time of year is a very colourful affair as all the rhododendrons are in flower.
One thing we do notice as we walk through Longshaw is the difference in the layers being worn by people. Those who have come off the nearby hills, like us, have coats and fleeces on, whilst those who are just wandering around the estate are in short sleeves.
By the time we reach the start of Froggatt Edge the heat has started to increase and all signs of any showers have disappeared, so we finally get to take our coats and warmer layers off.
Thoughts turn to finding a lunch spot that will offer us both some shelter from the wind and a good view along the Derwent Valley.
Heading along Froggatt Edge lots of sheltered spots are already taken but those rocks ahead should offer us some protection from the wind.
We try to find a spot that offers us some protection looking up the Derwent Valley to Bamford Edge.
Given the direction of the wind we have to settle for a spot on the other side of the rocks, looking down the Derwent Valley to Lees Moor.
Whilst the sun is out our lunchspot is lovely and warm but the moment it disappears behind a cloud we once again notice how cold the wind is and soon start heading along Froggatt Edge again.
Looking back along Froggatt Edge from the start of Curbar Edge.
Walking along Curbar Edge we can look down the Derwent Valley and spot the waterfall is on in the gardens at Chatsworth.
Looking across to White Edge and I can't decide if the cotton grass is starting to fade or given how cold it has been this year just coming into flower.
Looking back along a very quiet Curbar Edge.
As Eaglestone Flat and Baslow Edge start to dominate the view ahead we know we are close to the end of the walk.
Looking across Gardom's Edge to Gibbet Moor as we approach the gate back to the car and I'm reminded that it's a while since I've done a walk over there, must add that to the to-do list then.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2024