Crowden brook, towers & Kinder Scout.

On our first day off for two weeks, we hoped for good weather, and we got exactly that! It was just perfect for a bit of a grunt, not too warm, and with a light breeze. We decided to do Mount Famine and South head, via Jacobs ladder and Kinders' southern edge. However, due to not paying attention, we accidentally went up Crowden clough. We soon realised our mistake, but hey - we were in paradise, so getting a bit 'lost' was no problem. We set off to climb up to Kinder, then I'd re-assess the walk route and time available.

Highfield farm.

With it being the season, there were LOADS of new lambs about. This pair were lazing in the sun on the path. It was all they could do to stand up and move as we approached them.

You can click on any of the pictures for a larger version, or a slide show.

Wisps of cloud were clearing fast to reveal a vivid blue sky as we headed upwards.

The tantalizing view ahead drew us - it's always exciting to see the way ahead like this.

A wave from Sue as she crosses Crowden brook.

The last stile before the wild country begins.

This bizarre sight greeted us on the way up - a bunch of balloons trapped under a rock in the brook? Click on the picture to see them.

Crowden towers.

The path follows the brook to the top, but we decided to test our fitness and head straight up the severe climb directly to them.

Sue presses on up

We hit the top, and turned left, passing Crowden tower rocks, and the woolpacks rocks.

This really is weird and lunar up here. The wind and weather has shaped the rocks over the millenia, and I never tire of looking at the strange shapes.

This one really looks like a little dog!

Others like teeth.

Easter island?

A fallen rock forms a bridge.

We sat on the edge, near Noe stool rocks on our way to Swines back, and gave the route some thought.

The mount Famine thing was dead in the water now. We had added a tidy chunk onto our day, so I took the decision to cross the wild moor of Brown Knoll, making for the base of South head (where we would have come down, had we done the original route).

The walk across Brown Knoll was glorious, serenaded by our first skylarks, and lots of Curlew too.

Ahead, we saw the flanks of South head.

Instead of going up it, our path went left across the moor, heading south east towards quiet tracks.

Sue puts south head behind her as we tramped the tracks. We didn't see one other person here on this fabulous day.

Chapel-en-le-Frith to our right.

A lovely old, run down barn.

Although late evening, around six o'clock, the sun was probably at its strongest now, and we were feeling it. The hard shadows and great light made for perfect views and pictures. The stone walls like a black and white skeleton across the green fields.

We changed course at the road, and headed along another track, this time north east, crossed the brow of brown knoll, and saw this stunning view of Kinder ahead. Curlews still calling, we crested the last climb of the day.

It's just wow!, Isn't it?

We dropped back down to Barber Booth car park, arriving at the car at seven o'clock, with the sun still warm on our backs.

We both really needed this day, and it felt SO therapeutic to have had it.

Ten and a half miles, and over 2,200 feet of ascent made us tired but very happy.

A video of the final mile and descent on the track back down to Barber Booth.

A panorama