Scrambling and Hiking, Alport Castles Tower

Route: Alport Castles Tower

Meet at: Fairholmes Visitor Centre, Derwent Lane, Bamford S33 0AQ. Parking at the visitor centre costs £5.00 for the day but there are also a couple of free roadside car parks a short distance to the south. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield, Manchester and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.

This outing features a long pleasant ramble through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Dark Peak, followed by a tasty little scramble up and down a spectacular rock tower. The scrambling is short lived but the dramatic landscape makes the trip well worthwhile.

The full day will include a steady walk in through some woodland then a gradual ascent via Bellhag Tor and Pasture Tor and over Rowlee Pasture, a Grade 1 scrambling ascent of Alport Castles Tower with a further Grade 1 scrambling descent off the other side followed by a hike over Birchinlee Pasture leading to a long pleasant stroll along the shores of Derwent Reservoir to take us back to the car park.

Photos of some of our previous outings to Alport Castles Tower can be seen here:

https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33827327/

https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33239419/

https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/32016649/

Difficulty: A small amount of Grade 1 scrambling, mostly hiking. A highly suitable event for beginners. For more information on scrambling grades see:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades

Experience Required: Some previous hillwalking/hiking experience would be beneficial along with a reasonable level of fitness, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather.

Duration: Approx. 12 km with height gain of approx. 250 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.

Ordnance Survey Map: Dark Peak Area OL1 Explorer Map 1:25 000 Scale.

Guidebook: Scrambles in the Dark Peak published by Cicerone Press.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.