PEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING is a comprehensive guide to off-road running in the Peak District National Park. With 22 runs, from 5km to 28km in length, this book is suitable for runners of all abilities.

Runners are spoilt by the variety of terrain on offer in the Peak District. There are many runs that stay low, avoiding roads, following broad, well surfaced trails such as the Monsal Trail around Bakewell, or the trails around Ladybower Reservoir and Carsington Water. For the more experienced runner the area has some excellent challenges on the high, rugged moors of Kinder and Bleaklow in the Dark Peak.

Researched and written by local runners Nikalas Cook and Jon Barton, each route features:

» clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps

» easy-to-follow directions

» details of distance and timings

» refreshment stops and local knowledgeP

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PEAK DISTRICT » TRAIL RUNNING

22 OFF-ROAD ROUTES FOR TRAIL & FELL RUNNERS

Nikalas Cook & Jon Barton Nikalas Cook & Nikalas Cook & Nikalas Cook Jon Barton Nikalas Cook & Jon Barton£12.95

Nikalas Cook & Jon Barton

PEAK DISTRICT » TRAIL RUNNING

22 OFF-ROAD ROUTES FORTRAIL & FELL RUNNERS

PEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING »IV

Copyright © 2014 Nikalas Cook, Jon Barton & Vertebrate Graphics Ltd.

First published in 2014 by Vertebrate Publishing.

Nikalas Cook and Jon Barton have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced of used in any form or by any means — graphic, electronic, or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-910240-14-4

Front cover: Jenny Stafford-Curtis and Becky Lounds running along Curbar Edge (route 7).Back cover: Ian Winterburn on Doctor’s Gate (route 21).Photography by Keith Sharples unless otherwise credited.

All maps reproduced by permission of Ordnancy Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.© Crown Copyright. 100025218.

Design and production by Jane Beagley.www.v-graphics.co.ukPrinted in Slovenia by Latitude Press Ltd.

PEAK DISTRICT » TRAIL RUNNING

22 OFF-ROAD ROUTES FORTRAIL & FELL RUNNERS

Every effort has been made to achieve accuracy of the information in this guidebook. The authors, publishers and copyright owners can take no responsibility for: loss or injury (including fatal) to persons; loss or damage to property or equipment; trespass, irresponsible running or any other mishap that may be suffered as a result of following the route descriptions or advice offered in this guidebook. The inclusion of a track or path as part of a route, or otherwise recommended, in this guidebook does not guarantee that the track or path will remain a Right of Way. If conflict with landowners arises we advise that you act politely and leave by the shortest route available. If the matter needs to be taken further then please take it up with the relevant authority.

» CONTENTS V

INTRODUCTION VIIACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VIIIABOUT THE ROUTES VIIIMAPS VIIIDESCRIPTIONS, DISTANCES & ASCENT VIIITERRAIN IXRECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT IXFOOTWEAR IXCLOTHING XFUEL & HYDRATION XSAFETY XMOUNTAIN RESCUE XMOUNTAIN RESCUE BY SMS TEXT XTHE COUNTRYSIDE CODE XIIPEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING AREA MAP XVI

1 LANGSETT » 5KM 52 THE MONSAL TRAIL » 5.3KM 93 DERWENT » 5.4KM 134 BURBAGE VALLEY » 5.5KM 175 GRADBACH » 8KM 216 MONSAL HEAD » 8KM 257 FROGGATT, CURBAR & WHITE EDGE » 9KM 298 LADYBOWER TRAIL RUN » 9KM 339 SHINING TOR » 9.2KM 3710 CHATSWORTH » 10.5KM 4311 WINDGATHER ROCKS » 11KM 4712 MACCLESFIELD FOREST & WILDBOARCLOUGH » 11.1KM 5313 MILLER’S DALE » 11.3KM 5714 CARSINGTON LOOP » 12.3KM 6115 BLACK HILL & LADDOW ROCKS » 13.4KM 6316 STANAGE » 13.5KM 6917 HOPE VALLEY TRAIN RUNS: EDALE–CHINLEY » 14.2KM 7518 CHINLEY SKYLINE » 14.7KM 8119 KINDER DOWNFALL FROM HAYFIELD » 15KM 8720 TISSINGTON TRAIL & DOVE DALE » 15.6KM 9321 BLEAKLOW BASH » 21.3KM 10122 TOUR OF KINDER » 28KM 107

APPENDIX 112

» CONTENTS

TRAIL RUNNING AROUND BAKEWELL » ROUTE 2

» INTRODUCTION VII

There is no special requirement to trail-run in the Peak; no mystery, no fitness or

special temperament is needed, just a will to enjoy fresh air and great scenery,

and a be-prepared-for-a-bit-of-exhilaration attitude.

That said, some of the routes in this book are hard work. Some are boggy, long

and gruelling, others are hard to navigate. But not all of them. Many of the routes

are pleasant and relatively flat, covering short, manageable distances and even

starting and finishing from a cafe, or, better still, a pub serving Sunday lunch.

All corners of the Peak District are covered here; some famous trails are run

along, while some less frequented and windswept patches of moorland are

traversed. Some are our favourite ‘secret’ runs, others popular with many. Some of

the runs, like the Ladybower, Carsington and Monsal Trail/Bakewell jaunts, are

great for those new to running, or those who like running in safe and friendly

parts of the Peak. The harder, more challenging routes, such as the outings on to

the Peak’s one true mountain, Kinder Scout, and its surrounding uplands, can be

serious undertakings – especially in the winter months. They make a good choice

if you’re an experienced runner looking for a challenge.

So, go shopping if you must, get some new trail shoes, a few gel bars and maybe a

running pack, but most importantly get out there and start putting one trainer in

front of the other. Don’t worry about how fast or slow you go, feel free to walk up the

hills, and stop every now and again and listen to the birdsong and enjoy the view.

Happy running!

Nikalas Cook & Jon Barton

» INTRODUCTION

PEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING »XVI

PEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING » AREA MAP XVII

© CROWN COPYRIGHT AND/OR DATABASE RIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LICENCE NUMBER 100025218.

1 LA

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THE TRAILS

Some of these runs you’ll enjoy, some you won’t.

Some you’ll do with friends on a lovely summer

evening, some you’ll grind out, enveloped in mist

and alone, thinking you’re lost on a mountainside.

Some of the runs are perhaps too short for your long

wiry legs, some a little long as you regret not taking

that extra energy bar. Rest assured though we

have done our best to share with you our favourite

trails in the Peak District. Our runs are in order

of increasing length, but short doesn’t necessarily

mean easy … so read the description, study the map,

lace up your shoes and get out there!

TRAIL RUNNING ABOVE CURBAR EDGE » ROUTE 7

TONY WHITEHOUSE BOULDER HOPPING OVER STANAGE EDGE » ROUTE 16

EASY-GOING TRAILS AROUND LANGSETT RESERVOIR » PHOTO JON BARTON

01 » LANGSETT 5

INTRODUCTIONA short run tracing a loop around

Langsett Reservoir. Starting with well-

manicured trails and then crossing the

bridge over the Little Don river, it heads

up and out across Hingcliff Common to

the old ruins of North America. From here

it drops into the woods of Midhope before

crossing the dam and following good

trails back to the car park.

THE ROUTEThere is a well surfaced path all the way

around Langsett Reservoir, and for the most

part this satisfying trail run makes use

of it, with one crucial deviation: a short

excursion on to the ‘wild’ moorland of the

Dark Peak. So in a little over five kilometres

the terrain goes from woodland trails and

shoreline paths to rocky moorland bridle-

ways and peaty plodding. There’s even a

short bit of tarmac, just in case you were

regretting buying this book and are

longing for the carefree days of pounding

around suburbia. Navigation is easy – just

keep the water on your left and the

moorland on your right.

01 » LANGSETT 5kmM

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0 0.75 1.50 2.25 3 3.75 4.50

ALTITUDE PROFILE

» LANGSETTDISTANCE 5KM » ASCENT 126M » MAX ALTITUDE 250M » TYPICAL TIME 0:45 HRS » TERRAIN WELL SURFACED WOODLAND, SHORELINE AND MOORLAND TRAILS » NAVIGATION GOOD TRAILS AND A BIT OF WAYMARKING MAKE FOR EASY NAVIGATION » START/FINISH LANGSETT BARN CAR PARK » GRID REF SE 210004 » SATNAV S36 4GY » OS MAP EXPLORER OL1 THE PEAK DISTRICT – DARK PEAK AREA » REFRESHMENTS BANK VIEW CAFE, LANGSETT TEL: 01226 762 337

PEAK DISTRICT TRAIL RUNNING »6

S From the car park, drop down the well-surfaced trail towards the shore of the

reservoir. Turn right on to a good trail and follow the water’s edge for about a

kilometre. Keep left at the fork and then turn left, steeply downhill, to a bridge over

the stream. Take the left hand gate and, passing a map sign, proceed uphill.

2 Keep on this trail as it swings back right and climbs steeply and rockily (i.e. don’t go

on to the Yorkshire Water concessionary footpath along the water’s edge). Keep

heading uphill, less steeply now, and after about 500m turn left on an obvious path

by a green sign. The trail is good and level, soon dropping down towards a ruin

known as North America. Keep straight ahead on an improving surface, soon

dropping down to cross a stream. Pass through a gate 80m after the crossing, and, as

the good track swings back right, go straight ahead on to a concessionary footpath

along the shoreline.

3 Follow this footpath. TAKE CARE after 500m – follow the path where it swings

uphill (beware a less defined track does continue straight ahead at this point). Meet

a surfaced track after going through a small gate. (If you meet a road first, just hop

over the wall and turn left!)

4 Turn left and follow the track to where it meets the road. Turn left and follow the

road downhill. Cross the dam and immediately afterwards take a footpath on the left.

Follow this for 50m, then turn right on to another path to return to the car park

(or do another, faster lap!).

DIRECTIONS » LANGSETT

© CROWN COPYRIGHT AND/OR DATABASE RIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LICENCE NUMBER 100025218.

01 » LANGSETT 7

GRÁINNE COAKLEY AND SON, MOORLAND RUNNING » PHOTO JON BARTON