Another day of Ethel bagging in the Peak District, started off pretty foggy and stayed that way. It followed suit of most of my recent hikes with the weather improving once I was pretty much back to the car.
Still the fog added to the atmosphere as I explored an area that had long been on my list. With a target of four Ethels and a Trig Point but also the section of the Limestone Way that runs through Cave Dale.
The Route
Bradwell Moor
A lot of crossing through foggy farm fields made up the first section of the hike. There is something about walking into a field and not quite knowing what animals are fenced inside. Luckily it was mostly just sheep I am not a fan of crossing through fields with cows. They are huge animals, and surprisingly fast.
So I bagged my first Ethel of the day and also, once I had spotted it through the fog, the trig point. I’ll admit I did quite appreciate a trig with a bench. I always stop for a brew at a trig point, so have somewhere to sit was a nice touch.
Cave Dale
This was the section I have long wanted to explore in the Peak District. Mostly because I am a fan of Game of Thrones and the spinoff House of the Dragon. Fans of the show might recognise this valley as the spot where Daemon Targaryen uses his “divorce rock” killing his wife on the way into the Eerie.
It was a bit later in the day and a bit busier in the area than I had hoped for, but with the fog capping the sides of the valley, it still looked pretty awesome.
Before leaving Castletown I did go to see the Peak Cavern, however it was only a short trip, with an entrance fee of £20 I decided just to carry on with my hike.
Abandoned break spots
When I spot the old ruins of a barn long one of my adventures I almost always stop to take a look. Usually with a brew. One of the things I always think about is how the structure could be used as a shelter even if this one was missing a roof and most of its walls.
Slitherstone Hill
Usually I count that I’ve ticked off an Ethel if I have followed the nearest public path. This day was a little different though and since the fields were only housing sheep I made sure to reach the marked summit of each hill exactly.
This was fine for Slitherstone, although there was no defining mark to show where it was. The next Ethel of the day was a little different though.
Eldon Hill
Following a path that went around the upper edges of a quarry I hiked up to reach the cairn that sits on the summit of Eldon Hill. Word of warning the visible path is on the quarry side of the fence, it does at one point disappear. You can see where a section has fallen down.
So I had to climb over a rather awkward fence, which was quite close to the edge. If you’re taking this path it would be worth jumping the fence as early as you can.
Before reaching the summit I saw ‘Nettle Pot’ marked on my map. I had to know what it was and when I reached the location I discovered a metal door, not unlike the hatch from Lost. The plaque made me realise it wad to do with caving. It wasn’t locked so I lifted the lid to see what was inside. A dark shaft leading down as for as I could see. The area is renowned for caving activities, not my cup of tea, it looked far too tight.
A little after the summit there was another mark on the map for Eldon Hole, another large cavern that reached into the earth. My thoughts were that this may have been the exit from the Nettle Pot. I wouldn’t want to be in there to find out though.
New Friends
On my way to the last summit of the day, I passed some less common farm animals. A couple of Alpacas, or Llamas I will admit I don’t know the difference, reacted to my clicking noise and I caught their attention just long enough to grab a photo.
After that I passed a small paddock with a donkey and it’s young calf. They were both very friendly as the younger one tried to reach over the fence to great me.
The Gautries
The last summit of the day. Another one unmarked but I hit the highest point and the spot marking the hill on my map. A successful day of Ethel bagging. I do think if I return to this hike I may take it in the opposite direction. That way I’d do the climb through Cave Dale and end the day with the Bradwell Moor Trig Point.