Heading back down the lane I've just driven up to park my car.

Starting the walk in Brassington is new to me, but the footpath I will take across to Carsington is clearly signed.

The footpath will take me uphill through the remains of Nickalum Mine.

I'm soon looking across Brassington to the route I will use at the end of the walk.

Looking across towards Bradbourne and Haven Hill.

The area is full of old mineworks and having walked through one I'm now about to skirt around Wester Head Mines.

Looking back towards the location of Nickalum Mine.

Over the next hill and Carsington Water comes into view, although it is somewhat lacking in water.

Ahead of me Carsington Pasture comes into view. My route will follow the treeline down to the right, but I will eventually end up climbing the hill ahead, just from the other side.

The route takes me along a very pleasant lane.

For a brief moment I find myself on the edge of Carsington.

The climb out of Carsington up onto the top of Carsington Pasture is very steep and before I reach the top I stop to look back to a distant Aleck Low and Minninglow.

From this height you really get to understand how dry the summer has been when you look at Carsington Water.

I followed the footpath as it was signed but it appears looking at the routes that two other people followed that there are numerous footpaths you can take.

One reason I stuck to the signed footpath was so I would pass close to the King's Chair. I was last here in 2006 when I did the second walk I put on the website.

Once I go over the brow of the hill I get my first look at Harboro Rocks, which I plan on making my lunchtime venue.

First I have to follow the path past the cows who fortunately seem quite docile, which in fact they were.

I soon reach the High Peak Trail, which is very quiet compared to my previous visits here.

Another short climb sees me at the top of Harboro Rocks. Time to find a spot out of the breeze.

Looking north from the summit of Harboro Rocks.

Looking back across Carsington Pasture to Carsington Water.

Lunch over and it is time to rejoin the High Peak Trail.

When I reach Longcliffe Station I need to make a decision, do I continue along the trail and add an extra mile to the walk so I can avoid a very short section of road walking or do I save my legs.

Looking across to Beardsley's Plantation from the point my alternative route would have joined the road.

Having left the road I get my first view of Rainster Rocks.

Looking towards Pasture Lane and trying to spot the public footpath sign as I follow the clear track below Rainster Rocks.

Looking back to Rainster Rocks.

White Edge as I get closer to Pasture Lane.

Looking back to the footpath I have followed below Rainster Rocks.

I debated using the footpath across the fields instead of this lane as they both end up at the same place, but they were full of cows. I was relieved to see the lane was far less overgrown than when I was last here, which was why I considered avoiding it.

As I start the descent into Brassington I can look across to the hills I used at the start of the walk.

Haven Hill is also once again in view.

I opt to take the footpath through the churchyard instead of sticking to the route I usually use through Brassington and I was rewarded with an extra climb up to the car park. I won't be making that mistake again.

 

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