Deepdale RFM Blue Line

 

RFM Blue Line 

15/08/25

This was intended to be an easy walk after last weeks epic CtC2 walk from Ennerdale Bridge to Honister. The forecast temperatures today were in the high 20's early 30's so I was keen to get the walk completed in the morning. The walk south east of Buxton promised lots of agricultural countryside and the end of the Monsal Trail. Sure there would be ups and downs but I was expecting more cows than hills. The walk was easily manageable as I am probably at peak summer walking fitness but the ups and downs were a bit more dramatic than anticipated. I was expecting plenty of dog walkers and hikers but......

Parking in Cowdale was easy but the road to it from the A6 was barely a car's width with dry stone walls on either side. Luckily nothing came in the opposite direction. I walked for ages through 2 huge pasture fields but could see no cows in Cowdale. There were plenty of cow pats but no cows.

The mystery was solved as I saw the farmer dropping off a water bowser for the cows at the top of the field. 

This landscape has a timeless quality to it The grass, trees, cows and dry stone walls just all sit together in perfect harmony. This is rural England at its very best, green and wonderful.

Near The Hall (that's its name) I left the fields and decantered onto a tree enclosed lane. I took a moment to enjoy the sun streaming through the trees.

Almost immediately I passed what I thought was the ancient Church of Christ Church, King Sterndale but imagine my surprise when I looked it up, after my walk, and found it is only 160 years old.

The Hall is underwhelming in size but its setting is lovely. King Sterndale sounds grand but actually is more quaint. I wonder what the derivation of the name is? 

 

Thereis a  cross on the green at King Sterndale and the lane leading out of the village has a wholly approriate sign. All the small villages in Derbyshire seem to have very similar crosses.

I chatted with a lady on the green with a very obedient cute little spaniel and it transpired she was a visitor and actually questioned me about the walks in the area. I indicated the walk I was doing showing her the OS app and suggested she had a look at the app because many local walks are on it if you search the app.

I could see my general route across Wyedale knowing the railway and A6 were in the valley bottom. My route would go down the valley and up the other side. The slope was intense and the grass made it harder not easier. I was wishing I had brought my hiking pole.

I could see what I assume was Pictor Hall on top of the opposite hillside. Down in the valley the railway was a walkers crossing.

 

After crossing the A6 I crossed the river Wye, lingering, as usual, on the bridge.

To my left I could see Woo Dale, not been there yet but I will certainly look at it for a route. My way up the hill, a grassy bridal way, did actually zig zag a little. It was pretty easy going for a walker but I pitied the animals pulling carts up this route in days gone by.

Wye Dale looked very dramatic I loved the peak with the tree on top. Unfortuneatly it wasn't a natural feature but the result of quarrying. There was still a steep bit to get to the top of the ridge I was to go along.

Woo Dale lookes even better  from up here.

Starting along the ridge above Wyedale heading east I saw a horse under a tree with a few goats and  sheep knocking around. As I got closer I realised the horns belonged to a bull not a horse. It was on my path so I went to the top of the field and as I passed it it left the shade and watched me traverse the field. I know I am not supposed to look at the bull and its best to keep walking so I did. When I decided I was far enough away I turned to get a photo and the bull turned away from me but I still took his photo. I am glad he was tranquil.

The quarrying goes on and does scar the landscape. It is not beautiful but it has its own drama. 

As I left the ridge and entered the woods descending towards the footbridge near the end of the Monsal Trail I disturbed a small deer that shot off into the undergrowth, too quick for a photo. It was pleasanly cool in the woods.

The hillside above the Wye had a long cliff running along the ridge but I could not tell if it was natural or an old quarry.

All the way down this hill nettles and brambles played havoc with my bare legs and I was glad to reach the first bridge over what looked like a disused rail line but may have just been part of an old quarry. The tunnel under the railway was small and short. 

The valley bottom had very different vegetation and what I thought was an industrial relic though I could hear a hum coming from the building. Maybe its a pumping house.

This is a different approach to the cottages at the foot of Great Rocks Dale that I have visited before. I started seeing walkers and cyclists heading for the Monsal Trail. 

Most were heading under the bridge along the Monsal Trail but I was heading in the opposite direct for the short walk to the end of the trail.

I followed the lane from the Monsal Trail towards the car park passing a few walking in the opposite dirrection. I chatted with a pair of elderly gentlemen who were bird watching. They were disappointed that they had only seen a dipper but they were still thrilled at seeing this iconic bird of Wyedale. It was early in their walk and I am sure they would see many more species on the trail.

Crossing the A6 I headed up the path fenced off from the road to Topley Pike Quarry. A sign informed me of the disturbance to Deep Dale as material is removed that is due to end in 2026.

It was a nice walk through the brush with the stream off to my right behind the huge keep out and warning notices.

At this point the old path is not accessible and the alternate path heads up the hillside to the top of the dale. Half way up there is a bench so I stopped for a bite and a coffee. It was a pleasant stop and I watched a Buzzard land in a tree opposite. I could have done with my hiking pole to climb this rocky hillside.

Its going to take a long time to regerate a natural dale after this quarrying is done. The sides are really steep. It was a matter of watching your feet for rocks hidden in the grass on the path. It was much harder than it looked to cross this path. The fear of falling was quite real.

Across the valley I could see King Sterndale on the other side close but not reachable.

The walk through the fields along the top of the dale was not very well organised and crossing the fences was a bit of a struggle (climbing over 4 bar fences, some with barbed wire) but manageable.

Then it was down into Deep Dale. I could really have used my hiking pole here as it was very steep and rocky in places. Surprisingly there were fresh cow pats. Presumebly the cows of Deep Dale are cliff climbers.

There were caves so I had to investigate but only so far. 

Deep Dale was cool and shaded. I followed the path up the narrow dale.

The nature of the dale altered as I reached the confluence of Horseshoe Dale and Back Dale at the end of Deep Dale, the valley widen out and the grass was more like pasture but still rock strewn. I headed up Back Dale to the right.

It was a steady walk up the dry dale but the heat of the day was rising as I left the shade of Deep Dale.

I found a place for a coffee and bite and watched another Buzzard hunting in the valley I was sitting in.

I reached the road at Brierlow Bar and looked back down Back Dale, pretty as a picture in the full sun of midday.

I headed along the road towards Sunnyfield. I had begun to notice more low flying aircraft I assumed were heading towards Manchester airport.

This walk took more of an urban feel as I passed Buxton Rugby Club going under the bridge the new builds on the edge of Buxton suggested there was a lot of housing expansion in this area. There were plenty of quarry scars so it felt more industrial than rural.

From the lane towards Cowdale the views were great looking away from Buxton. The young bulls were quarrelling over the water trough as the day was getting very hot.

I was soon back at Cowdale my red car which was in the shade now in the sun. I had seen very few hikers and almost no dog walkers.

This was a great little walk with plenty of up and down dale. Not a classic Derbyshire walk as there were no moors or great edges but it was still cool. The pure beauty of rural England cannot be underestimated.

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/28266071/friday-morning-hiking-deepdale?lat=54.88913&lon=-2.32844&zoom=14.842&style=Leisure&type=2d