Hope Valley and Kinder Surprise
Another year, another visit to the Peak District for a trail run. It had been in the diary for a while. Matt and I were going to stay with his parents in Glossop and do back to back long runs with as much elevation as we could manage.
Day 1. OUTSIDE HOPE VALLEY ROUND
We decided to tackle the Outside Hope Valley Round. This is a 20 mile circular route that starts and finishes at the Outside cafe in Hathersage. It was created in 2019 by a group of staff from the shop who ran around the surrounding ridges. There are four big climbs with a total elevation of 4500 feet.
It was the first time I had run with my new backpack. I wanted to check it fitted ok before we tackled any longer runs. I'm glad I did because after only 100m the water bottles flew out of their pockets onto the floor. The new bag had no ties to keep them in place. We returned to the shop and I had to buy a new bottle with a straw that could be secured in place.
£30 down - yes, £30! - we restarted our watches. The first couple of miles was steady running through woodland before the elevation began to increase. After a steep climb we came out on top of Win hill with a stunning view. It had rained all week so it was a relief to have blue skies and sunshine.
We descended and ran through Thornhill before climbing again up Lose Hill. Win or lose we were a third of the way through. From here we had a view along the ridge to Back Tor and Mam Tor, the highest point of the route. Here it became busy with walkers and groups of children. We sped along the stony path with panoramic views on both sides before descending into the green fields.
A spot of lunch and a chance to take in the stunning rock formations. The tree leaves were just beginning to transition into their autumn colours and russet ferns covered the hill sides. Skylarks flew up from the grassland and sang as they rose into the sky.
From here it was across moorland with no one but the grouse for company. Another climb onto Old Moor and then through a herd of cows near the village of Bradwell before crossing Shatton Moor. We soon arrived by Leadmill Bridge before following the road back to the shop.
Having completed the round we received a free Montane buff and had our photo taken for the wall commemorating all those who had finished the round.
Day 2. KINDER PLATEAU
The next morning we were up bright and early for the big day. The goal was to run a circuit of the Kinder Plateau which sits high in the Peaks looking down on the surrounding country.
It was a few miles of climbing to get there. Tired legs didn't make it easy and it was slow progress. Time wasn't an issue though. We were out for the day and again the weather was good with clear skies and sunshine.
The landscape was the opposite of the day before. Gone were the pretty fields, rose bushes, copper trees and green hill sides spotted with white sheep and brown cows. Instead we were faced with the dark peaks. Dark peaty soil scarred the terrain where it broke through the thick, dark heather. Flecks of purple and yellow buds appeared like stars in a dark sky to add some colour.
We climbed Burnt Hill and continued to climb up Mill Hill. Here we passed the wreckage of a Liberator plane that crashed in a snow storm in 1945. Apparently the crew came out alive and walked themselves down to the local pub. A local mountain rescue member wasn't so lucky and died on the same spot a few years ago. His death was marked with a small grave.
We ran along the giant stone slabs in glorious sunshine aware that in different conditions this desolate area could be a dangerous place.
Up and up we went until, after descending steep stone steps we arrived at the top of the plateau. We had planned to go in a clockwise direction, but ended up going anti-clockwise which turned out to be a good idea.
The first half was rocky and lunar. There was a lot of leaping up onto boulders and jumping down again. Very tiring. Thankfully the ground was dry and we made progress. The wind was strong and buffeted us from the right as it came up over the ridge with force. We could see for miles to the south and east.
Our first set of fascinating rock formations was soon upon us. These giant gritstones are spread across the plateau and have been given various names depending on what they resemble. Some of these include; Ringing Roger, Druid's Stone, The Boxing Glove stones, Madwoman's stones, Nether Tor, Crowden Tower, Pym chair and most impressive/famous of all - The Woolpacks.
They have been hewn by wind and rain into all sorts of shapes. They appear smooth but the surfaces are as sharp as glass. Some looked like holey cheese while one was the spitting image of Matt in profile.
The second half of the plateau consisted of peaty bogs into which our feet sank continuously. It was hard going. More gritstone formations were scattered here and there, but far fewer people.
We finally reached the point we had started our circuit and took a well needed rest and food break. Water was running low but there was only 10km left and most of that was downhill. We descended Mill Hill and Burnt Hill at speed recording my fastest mile of the day at nine minutes. Another climb up Clown's Edge and it was a tired descent back to the house to finish.
