Big Moor walking with my brother

 Big Moor 

walking with my brother

19/07/24

Big Moor is quite a long walk popular for some great views along the western edge and much wildlife throughout.

We met at 8.oo o'clock near the Grouse Inn. We both actually turned up about 20 to 8 which is par for the course as we are always early. The day was already sunny and warm.

The meeting point at the car park, deserted at this early hour, gave way to a short walk through the edge of Hay Wood and up onto Froggatt Edge where the views began. Looking north through the hazy air towards Bamforth Edge and Win Hill with Hathersage in the valley was stunningly beautiful. 

All along the edge views over the Derwent Valley were just fantastic. We passed quite a few walkers and dog walkers and chatted occasionally as the weather had definitely brought out more walkers than normal. The stunning walk was an absolute joy. Peter was still recovering from a thigh issue so we were trying to keep a steady pace but to be honest there were plenty of viewing point stops to slow us down.

Along Curber Edge with Curber in the valley bottom the views were equally as spectacular

We found a bench in the shade and took advantage by having our first coffee break of the day.

What an absolutely spectacular start to the Big Moor walk. 

Heading across the moor towards the Eagle Rock we passed a couple of large groups of teenagers on their 7th day of a 7 day Duke of Edingburgh camp out. As ever the kids were friendly and responsive and were full of positivity and enjoying the day. I guess  for many it will be an experience to remember for a lifetime.

The views from the Wellington monument were more subdued and the monument itself seemed to be a bit hidden. Maybe it would have made more sense to put it on a village green.

After a long slog along a lane from the monument to the road passing a few ramblers on the way we came across a group of charming cows blocking the lane. I think they were all males but they were cute as buttons and a joy to come across.

We crossed the lane and followed the path towards the the A621 over Bar Brook. At the style there was a man flying a drone. He was telling us he was searching for deer on the moor. He said he had got some great footage from the high level shots. Sounded like a great hobby to me but I hope it doesn't catch on too much. Anyway back to the route. The field with our destination, the main road in the distance was full of cows congregated around the lower wetter area of the field presumably keeping cool. We slogged across the marsh avoiding the worst of the bogs and came across a lone cow paddling.

The next stretch along the  A621 to the path below Ramsley Lodge was marred by the busy road but to be fair the motorists gave us a wide berth and we passed without real danger. I apologised to Peter as my route planning ought to have avoided this road.

I made the blatantly obvious observation that the moor was well named as could be seen by the extent of Big Moor covering the horizon. Peter quick as a flash blames the old farmer telling the OS surveyor that yes it be a big moor when the surveyor asked him its name. That old farmer has a lot to answer for.

This is a 4000 year old stone circle not quite as impressive as Stone Henge but a convenient place to have lunch. Not sure we should be sitting on the stones but they were very convenient.

We came across a pair of Stonechats on the bracken. The male may be a bit blurred but is unmistakably a Stonechat. 

Following the track we came to a small pond with 2 swimmers in it and a swimmer just emerging from 
the deep blue water It was definitely hot enough for a dip, I hope the water is clean enough as there are a lot of farm animals around, not for me.

Another small group of chilled cows on the lane next to the pond. They were calm as calm could be and we passed without fear.

The route went up a banking and along a ridge next to some small ponds. It became obvious very quickly that this was an abandonned reservoir with much of the dam, and sluice way still in place but with a big hole in the middle of the dam. There is a story here somewhere but it was a strange landscape.
 

Before we reached the road again we passed another stone circle, can you see it? No.. neither could we.

The path along the fields next to the road turned back onto the moor at Barbrook Bridge. 



Heading back over the moor just south of Lady's Cross we spotted a small group of Meadow Pippits. Another great bird to spot (and photograph) on a walk.

Finally we crossed White Edge Moor and arrived at the carpark near the Grouse Inn. This had been a long walk just over 10 miles and the weather had been heating up all morning but we were finished before 12 so avoided the worst heat of the day. This route is great for views and the moor. Although there is a total ascent of over 800 feet there is nothing steep.  Apparently there are a couple of hundred deer on Big Moor but we did not see any. If I did this walk again I would re-route to Ramsley Res to avoid walking along the A621