Back to Back Tors

Leader: Jonathan
Difficulty: Strenuous
Start time: 09:40
End time: 18:00
Start point: Heatherdene Car park, Ladybower Reservoir, A6013, Hope Valley S33 0BY
End point: Edale Railway Station, S33 7ZA
Distance (in miles): 15.5
Ascent (in meters): 1070
Is your walk dog friendly?: No

Full description:
Did you know that the Peak District is home to two hills called Back Tor? In this walk we will go back to back as we visit both of the Back Tors.

We will start at Heatherdene Car park and walk along Ladybower Reservoir before steeply ascending Derwent Edge, passing the Coach and Horses rock formation on route to our first Back Tor, a gritstone outcrop and highest point on the Derwent Edge. From here we will descend via Lost Lads Hill End to the Derwent Dam. Next will be another steep ascent over Lockerbrook Coppice and then down through Woodcock Coppice to the Snake Road. After crossing the River Ashop we will climb through the woods to Hope Cross and follow the Roman Road towards Hope. The next climb will be Lose Hill before making our way along the ridge to our second Back Tor, hopefully with superb views over Edale, Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, and the Great Ridge. The final part of the walk descends over Barker Bank to Hollins Cross, and then to Edale and the pub.

This walk will be strenuous due to both the length, significant elevation gain, and constant undulation throughout. It will also be fast-paced requiring a good level of fitness. The terrain will include very steep and rocky climbs and descents. There are also sections of peat bogs along the route, and potentially other wet and muddy areas depending on the weather. Large sections of the route will be along edges and ridgelines and hence exposed to potential windy conditions with a lower temperature than in the valley. Sturdy walking boots are highly recommended.

We advise that this is not suitable as a first walk with SWG without prior experience of walking long distances at speed over such terrain.

Public transport or car sharing options:
Bus 257 departing Sheffield Interchange at 09:00, arrives Heatherdene (Ashopton Road) 09:36.
Alternatively catch the 08:14 train from Sheffield to Bamford arriving at 08:35, and then walk 2.3 miles to the Heatherdene Car park.

Return bus 272 Peak Line from Hope (Post Office) towards Sheffield departing at 18:05 or 19:55. Journey time is 47 minutes. Return trains depart Edale at 18:33, 19:33, and 20:32, with a journey time of 33 minutes.

Be prepared:
Please remember to dress appropriately for the time of year. A waterproof is always advised, as well as plenty of food and water. Please bring sun protection if required (sun hat, sunglasses, sun cream, etc). Further information on what to bring can be found on our website here: https://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk/be-prepared

Sign-up:
Sign-up for this walk opens 5 days before the event. If you sign up and can no longer make it, please be respectful of others and remove yourself from the event so that others can take your place. We request you do this ***NO LATER THAN 6pm*** the night before the walk.

Please note:
Sheffield 20’s and 30’s Walking Group is part of the Ramblers, a registered charity. All of our leaders are volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join us on our walks, there is no need to contact us in advance, and as long as you have a place on our Meetup booking system you can just show up. Non-members can come on up to 3 walks before joining the group. After 3 walks, we require you to sign up as a Ramblers member for insurance purposes. More information about the group can be found at https://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk/faqs.