A Stanage Edge walk in the Peak District – Hills, rocks and a vineyard

The car wound its way around another hairpin bend, the driver hitting the throttle coming out of the corner and again, on the brakes as they reached another. “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE” was heard from inside the car. This wasn’t some off road rallying, a Formula One Grand Prix, no it was me, driving to our latest walk in the Peak District! The fog has descended as we neared our destination. Not what a walker, planning a lovely picturesque walk, wanted to see- or not see! We ploughed on, hoping that our destination of Hathersage the weather and fog might be better. So far the roads had been like I was taking part in some sort of video game, hence the screeching and noises from the driver’s seat.

Luckily, visibility was better in Hathersage and we set off on our looped walk to Stanage Edge. I’d found a great 6 mile route on the “Let’s Go Peak District” website. We’re a little out of practice with our walks unfortunately, but I hoped this walk would give us some much needed fresh air. I needed a break from the books and we all needed some exercise. Taking part in the ‘Boots for Boobs’ campaign in October, I was raising money for Breast Cancer Uk by trying to have 1000 active minutes that month. This walk would earn me some more precious minutes.

The weather wasn’t great as we set off, no fog, but a bit dank and drizzly. It made the woods we threaded our way through a little slippery, but we were soon peeling layers off having worked up a sweat! I did smile most of the way around. My legs loving the exercise and my head enjoying the fresh air and relative peace……Well , two kids in tow relative peace. The teenager whinged until we neared Stanage Edge itself. He has always loved rocks and leaping from them and over them. The peace then turned into cries from me, “Don’t go too near the edge!”. It was so windy up there that my voice was probably lost anyway, along with the selective hearing of the kids. It was great up there though and despite the howling wind we braved a quick picnic. I had certainly got a bit of view and lots of fresh air.

The instructions for the walk we had been following were perfect. Obviously I’ve always got my trusty OS map, but this was really straight forward. Having walked along the top of the rocks, it was time to make our way back down and head towards a bend in the road we could see in the distance.

Over the road, up a hill, down another and then suddenly there was a vineyard! Sadly not selling any wine. There must have been something in the air though, as I nearly went flying a few times on an incredibly slippy driveway down. The kids of course thought this was hilarious and started playing a sticky bud game. They were laughing and smiling and the “oh so lame walk, you’re dragging me on” had in fact been fun. Job done!