Leader: Peter

Difficulty: Moderate

Start time: 18:40

End time: 21:00

Start and end point (circular route): SK194697 Ashford in the Water car park

Distance (in miles): 6

Ascent (in meters): 234

Is your walk dog friendly?: Yes, well-behaved dogs only

Full description: 

From the pretty village of Ashford in the Water, we first divert to the river to visit Sheepwash Bridge and maybe enjoy the riverside, before heading north past Churchdale Hall to Great and Little Longstone. We then, of course, pay a visit to Monsal Head, a spot once marketed by the railway as "little Switzerland". On the way back, we divert to the old iron age settlement at Fin Cop, high above Monsal Dale, before returning to Ashford via Pennyunk Lane.

Public transport or car sharing options: 

There is no direct bus from Sheffield to Ashford. Please arrange car shares in the comments on Meetup. I don’t know if the car park is paid in the evening, but if you end up parking on the street, please be considerate to locals.

Alternatively, you could catch the 218 bus leaving Sheffield at 16:50 and arriving in Bakewell at 17:49, from where it's a pleasant 1.5-2 mile walk or a connection on the Transpeak bus to Ashford. However, you will be responsible for your own travel this way. Return buses to Sheffield leave Bakewell at 21:10 and 23:10, with no connection from Ashford.