David and Jacinta's Walks- 2026

The Helicopter Walk via Oyster Clough David was out for a walk on his own today, and wanted to do the full helicopter walk as it was a nice day. After parking up at Birchen Clough on the Snake Pass, the first section was up through the remains of the felled larches, which had a desolate feel. However, the treeline was soon cleared and there was a view of Fairbrook Naze and the edge of the Kinder plateau.  Fairbrook Naze- the way down from the plateau The way up to the Oyster Clough bothy used to be a long haul, but nowadays it feels much easier, but it's still lovely to see it in the distance. Oyster Clough and the bothy The bothy had recently been cleaned up and tidied (the log book suggested that it hadn't been left in a particularly good state, though) and someone had left a Monopoly set in case people staying the night got bored. Monopoly set to while away the hours Having found a straightforward way down from the "Hope Forest" higher level above Cowms Moor, I sta...

Edale, the Lonely Trig and Madwoman's Stones A lovely day with the sun making regular appearances. The Penny Pot (and Edale) called and we fancied a straightforward walk with not too many ups and downs after the first ascent. It had been a while since we'd visited the Lonely Trig in the middle of the Kinder Plateau. Although the initial climb is a bit of a grind, it's fairly flat after that. On the way up to the Kinder plateau Mam Tor in the background Grindslow Knoll and Grindsbrook Clough Rather than scrambling up the ridge of Ringing Roger, we took the more amenable Golden Clough. Nearing the top of Golden Clough Rushup Edge in the shadowy background After a breather at the Lonely Trig, we took the path northeast across the "top" of Kinder, avoiding most of the boggier groughs to arrive at the sequence of gritstone outcrops leading to Madwoman's Stones. Kinder outcrop Lost Lad background left After lunch in the shelter of the rocks at Crookstone Knoll we st...

 Cowms Moor and Kinder North Edge A nice day for a walk, and the "Helicopter Walk" beckoned. I parked up at the Birchin Clough car park and started up through the depleted woodland (larch trees having been felled because of infections) and soon had a a view of Fairbrook Naze, looking like the prow of a ship. Fairbrook Naze Because time was limited (and I'd had a long walk a couple of days before), I skipped the trip to the Oyster Clough bothy. I piqued the interest of a couple of sheep as I walked through Cowms Moor. Inquisitive Sheep I crossed the Snake Road at Alport Bridge, crossed the River Ashop ford and had my customary break sitting on the granite roller (a picture sometime?) with a view of the plantation opposite Alport Castles. Alport Bridge and plantation The Lonely Trees on Crookstone Hill were yet to come into leaf. The Lonely Trees and Crookstone Knoll I had my lunch at Crookstone Knoll (I'm a creature of habit...) with great views in the fair weather. La...

 Edale and Madwoman's Stones Friday looked dry and so we travelled to Edale. The village seemed quiet after the drama of the Spine Race and there was no sign of the heavy snow which had blanketed the area the weekend before. We popped into the Penny Pot and then set out to climb up Ringing Roger. Sunlit path to a gloomy Ringing Roger The weather was an interesting mix of sun and mist which made for some lovely views as we went up. Some sun higher up on path A break at the top of Ringing Roger Lose Hill and Back Tor in background After Ringing Roger, it is an easy  walk to the Trig point, although the Dark Peak mud was much in evidence.  Nearing the top of Golden Clough Rocks of Ringing Roger in silhouette on skyline From there we walked on to Madwomen's Stones which we had not visited since New Year's Eve in 2024. We continued to Crookstone Knoll where we had lunch with a lovely panorama in front of us over to Alport Castles. Alport Castles in the sunshine Oyster Clough j...