Black Hill, Peak District

7 August 2004

On an August Saturday with the temperatures heading towards 30°C, Stephen and George went for a walk up Black Hill in the northern Peak District

Starting from the hamlet of Crowden-in-the-High-Peak in Longdendale, the route took us up the Pennine Way, and as we climb the valley of Crowden Great Brook, here we look east to Hey Edge, from where we will descend five very hot hours later

The last tree for some hours, meaning no shade!

George and the valley of Crowden Great Brook, with the crag of Laddow Rocks on the skyline our first major target

Many streams descend the valley side, cascading appealingly among the heather

Nearing the summit of Laddow Rocks

George, glad of a quick breather

Walking along the edge of the Laddow Rocks crag

Don't get vertigo!

Looking back down Crowden Great Brook to Longdendale from Laddow Rocks

Our path descended gently to the Brook, and crossed it several times in an effort to keep to the easiest ground

George by a paved section of the Pennine Way. These large stones, originally from the floors of mills, were flown in by helicopter to reduce erosion on this popular path and to help crossing some of the damper areas.

Looking back down the Pennine Way as we climb up Grains Moss towards Black Hill

And as the trig point on Black Hill comes into sight, one starts to see both where it got its name, and the value of the millstones at times when it isn't so dry as it was today

Stephen and George at the trig on Black Hill (582m/1909ft).

Turning off the paved Pennine Way, we started to cross Black Hill towards Tooleyshaw Moss, here looking back to the trig point

The edge of Tooleyshaw Moss and the start of the descent.

Looking back to the post in the previous picture

From the edge of Tooleyshaw Moor looking to White Low. This half of the walk is not one I would recommend doing after rain, as despite it being fairly dry for some weeks, it was still necessary to make a number of detours to avoid bogs

From Westend Moss, the reservoir in Longdendale just peeks into view beyond Hey Edge, and we are on the home straight

Looking back across Bareholme Moss to our route earlier in the day, ascending from the left up onto the top of Laddow Rocks

The tail of Torside Reservoir and the farm near Crowden - only one steep descent to go

A last look up to Laddow Rocks, and time for an ice cream from the handily situated Crowden camp site.