Previous ... Win Hill & Great Ridge 28th February 2006

Fairholmes Car Park (Upper Derwent Valley) - Bridge End Car Park - Rowlee Pasture - Alport Castles - Alport Castles Farm - Alport Bridge - Upper Ashop Farm - Hope Cross - Haggwater Bridge - Hagg Farm - Lockerbrook Farm - Fairholmes Car Park (Upper Derwent Valley)

ALPORT CASTLES - The largest landslip in the Peak and possibly Britain. The effects of the retreating Ice Age created the fortress like "Tower".

This was the first really nice day we have had for three weeks. Started from Fairholmes Car Park and headed on the path next to Ladybower Reservior for Bridge End Car Park. There was a bit of a nip in the air but just right for walking. From Bridge End it was an ascent up the path to just above Hagg Farm. There is a few ways to take from here but I carried straight on up onto Rowlee Pasture. The path ascends to about 483 metres along this route. It changes from a normal moorland path to a paved path which continues for about 1 mile then reverts back to a moorland path. At this point one can make out Alport Castles in the distance. The viewpoint for Alport Castles is at an old wall which lies at right angles to the cliff edge. Great views from here and all along the cliff edge to "The Tower". It was about 487 metres at this point. There was still a little snow lying around especially next to the cliff edges. The path then retraces itself for about 500 metres before descending down to Alport Castles Farm. I then crossed a woodden footbridge over the River Alport and joined a small road back to the A57. Just before the A57 I took a short cut across to Alport Bridge. Then I crossed the A57 and followed the path steeply up to Upper Ashop Farm. There were some very inquisative sheep here. The path then joined an old Roman Road before skirting Blackley Hey. After following this route for almost 2 miles I arrived at Hope Cross. My walk then retraced back 100 metres before descending through pinewoods to Haggwater Bridge. I crossed the River Ashop here and then walked over the A57 and then up steeply once again to pass Hagg Farm. I took a path up onto Rowlee Pasture which I followed for about a mile before retracing my steps as I decided I had taken the wrong path. Followed bridalway to Lockerbrook Farm and then decended through woods back down to Fairholmes Car Park. This was a lovely long walk.