Suggestions for walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District

Here are some outline ideas for walks in Derbyshire, particularly in the Peak District.

Suggestions for walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District

• Stanage Edge - Park at Higgar Tor and instead of going onto the Tor, head in the opposite direction across the moors to Stanage. Simply walk along the easy path along the top of the edge and enjoy the views or even stop and watch the hang gliders and climbers for a few minutes. There are options to make a circuit of this route either in the direction of Sheffield or Hathersage.
• Dovedale and the surrounding Dales - There is plenty of parking at the lower end of Dovedale that can be used as a Launching point to explore the dale itself and beyond. A circuit incorporating Alstonefield is always enjoyable. You may even be lucky enough to spot a white clawed crayfish, of of the many endangered and protected species in this country.
• Lathkill Dale - if you are short of time a stroll up Lathkill Dale from Over Haddon or Alport is worthwhile or try a longer circuit from Monyash. Follow the Limestone Way past One Ash Grange and Calling Low past Youlgrave (Youlgreave as the OS call it) via Bradford Dale to Alport. Follow Lathkill Dale back to Monyash.
• Monsal Dale - There is a pay and display car park behind the Monsal Head Hotel. From there you can descend into Monsal Dale itself, a deeply incised Limestone valley. There are many options - head towards Great Shacklow Wood from there you can get to Taddington or Sheldon, or perhaps follow the Monsal Trail up the valley towards Cressbrook and Litton Mill, where the former mill buildings have now been converted into luxury apartments. Litton Mill itself is well known for the abuse of orphans during the 19th century. There is a small parking place on the left, down in the bottom of the valley as you head along towards Cressbrook, that is more convenient if you are aiming to visit the nature reserve of Cressbrook Dale.
• Chatsworth Estate and surrounding areas - Park at Calton Lees, visit the Garden centre and meander through the fine parkland of the Chatsworth Estate. Alternatively park by the church in Edensor, walk the length of the Park to Calton Lees and continue to Rowsley. Take the track round Bouns Corner Wood and down to the River Wye. Pick up the Monsal Trail for a short way then cross the golf course, through the woodland and onto Calton Pastures. From here, pass through a short woodland section and drop back down to Edensor.

Digital Mapping Software

Digital mapping is becoming more and more popular both for GPS systems and on home computers. Here are a couple of the systems available. Both offer free software and make their money on selling the maps. For the flexibility, although it can cost you more initially for a map, in the long term it could save cash - particularly if you are like us - our mountain biking and winter walking really takes its toll on paper maps. With a digital map, you simply reprint and don't need to buy the map again.

Another advantage of digital maps is that you can print off just the area that you need so instead of lugging around the whole paper map, you just take a compact A4 sheet. Great!

Anquet Digital Mapping

Anquet's map software provides easy to use route planning tools with digital maps for PCs, Pocket PCs and Smartphones. The map software can also be used to directly program routes and waypoints into GPS units. For more information about Anquet maps and their free software ... click here or click here to find out if it is compatible with your hardware.

We have not yet had the chance to review the Anquet mapping software but will do so soon. What we really like is that you can print out a map on A4 or a couple of sheets if necessary and it doesn't matter if it gets wrecked.

For a full list of the capabilities and features of Anquet Mapping Software ... click here

Anquet maps:

The Peak District 1:25000 - White Peak Area

The Peak District 1:25000 - Dark Peak Area

Central England 1:50000

Quo Digital Maps

Quo - 100% Free UK Digital Mapping Software

The prices look reasonable for the most of the maps they sell although the National Park digital maps are a little less expensive than Anquet, for example their 1:25000 of the Peak District is a shade over £40 and the entire range of Landranger maps for Great Britain at around £110, or if you just want a few small and specific areas, they sell map tiles at a couple of pounds each. And if you order before the end of April 2010, Mountain Rescue England and Wales receive 10% of the purchase price and you also get a 15% discount.

Disclaimer - please make sure that your party has the necessary skills, equipment and fitness before setting off into the hills. It is often necessary to be able to navigate through peat bogs and over open moorland using a map and compass in the Dark Peak. The weather can change very quickly in the hills so be prepared.