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Walk 1
Eldon Hole and Oxlow Rake

Start/Finish         Old Dam 
Distance              6km (3¾ miles)   
Time                     2½ hrs
Parking               (GR 115796) This is not over-generous, although verge parking can be found in Chapel Lane, leading to that part of the village known as Old Dam, and on 
                             the pocket handkerchief of a green at Old Dam itself. Be considerate towards other road users.
Terrain                 Beginning on a road, the route then enters pathless hill pasture, climbing to the top of Eldon Hill and completing the round on firm tracks.
Refreshments    The Duke of Devonshire, on the main road in Peak Forest, and the Peak Forest Village Stores (while it remains open)

This walk takes in the panoramic summit of Eldon Hill, a viewpoint that mercifully does not overlook the massive limestone quarry on its northern flank. Striding over the limestone plateau, the walk backtracks down Oxlow Rake, all the time witnessing the relics of surface lead extraction. This is a quiet country. In medieval times the hunting ground (surviving in the village name of Peak Forest) was greater in area than the present parish, extending over the entire plateau to Peveril Castle.

Eldon Hole was impressed on early tourists as one of the Seven Wonders of the Peak. It is a fearful chasm, plunging 75m (245ft) into the dark bowels of Eldon Hill, a fatal fall for the unwary. The name Eldon Hill is a corruption of ‘Elves’ hill’ – presumably these mischievous little folk inhabited this secretive den.
 

Follow the Perry Dale road (signed Pennine Bridleway) north to the traffic speed limit signs at Eldon Lane End. Bear right, ascending Eldon Lane and passing the refurbished farmhouse and the working farm-cottage at Eldon Farm; observe the walled dew pond and ‘good life’ hens and goats. After the large barns the by-way becomes a gravel track leading up to galvanised gates. An open greenway follows, rising to a gate in a fence connecting walls. The bridleway invites the walker to continue and may be followed to a confined path leading to the lane above Eldon Quarry. But more inviting is the natural pot-hole curiosity of Eldon Hole and the panoramic summit of Eldon Hill.

With these objectives in mind bear left, crossing an old mineral rake excavation and contouring on sheep trods to a natural amphitheatre centred on a dew pond. Advance to the obvious fenced rift of Eldon Hole. You can enter the enclosure at the stile-shielded hand-gate to get a closer look, but be careful to avoid stepping into the initial dip. There is absolutely no protection from the deep natural shaft. A faint trod encircles the rift within the enclosure but views into the dark interior are denied by tree growth. Better the breaking view away to the south over limestone plateau beyond Peak Forest and towards the distant Chelmorton Low, and to the south-west to Black Edge above Buxton and Axe Edge beyond.

Climb directly above the enclosure, past further evidence of lead prospecting rakes, to reach Cook’s Cairn. Whoever this man was, he knew a good view!  At 470m (1542ft) this height is only 7m (23ft) lower than the highest point on the White Peak plateau (which is the bland hill due north-east). Furthermore, it amply compensates for its lesser height by being easily accessible.  Eldon Quarry lies some 200m north-west and is vitally protected by a stiff fence, set back sufficiently to preclude a worthwhile view in. Therefore, keep to the high ground heading due east, passing evidence of a Bronze Age burial cairn. Cross the broken ground of an old rake, its sheep shielding wall a ghost of its former self. Spot what looks like a grindstone with a square centre, but being limestone its original purpose is a mystery. Beside it concrete bars cap a bell-pit shaft. Immediately beyond a stock handling race, go through the galvanised gate and traverse the improved pasture to a stile (with access land notice) into a confined pathway, quickly followed by a galvanised bridle-gate leading to a gravel lane, with Eldon Quarry partially seen over to the left.

Go right along the track, decorated in summer with delicate yellow vetch. Pass through a gate, now with the fence to the left. After the next gate continue to the left, gently dropping down to a stile/gate into the walled Rowter Lane. Keep forward, then cross a gate/stile and turn right. Choose the right fork along the bridleway, with the wall close on the right. The path is soon drawn left by the field-wall to a gate where a fence converges. Enter the lane with the deeply excavated mineral rake close on the right. The track leads down through gates alongside Oxlow Rake, shaded by mature beech trees, to arrive at the entrance of Oxlow Farm and Oxlow End. Cross the facing wall-stile rather than following the access lane left. After the next wall-stile at the corner bear half-left, traversing the pasture to arrive at a wall-stile, but instead of crossing, continue within the field with the wall close on the right to a stile/gate gaining access to the minor road. Turn right down Old Dam Lane into the hamlet.