White Peak Walks Vol 2 Southern Dales
White Peak Walks Vol 2 Southern Dales
Price
£11.99
Walk 1: Morridge
From the Rey Viewpoint
Distance: 5 miles
Simply told, the central limestone plateau of the White Peak is flanked to east and west by gritstone moors. But they are not mirror images. The scarp/dip formation of the eastern edges fails to materialise on the west, where the Millstone Grit was subjected to pressure which created a folded structure. The outcrops that do occur do not face east despite the north–south axis of the folding. In the main, this is moorland country – the domain of grouse, curlew and sheep, making it a splendid place to wander. Far-ranging views, obtained particularly from the Rey Memorial Viewpoint, Merryton Low and Royledge complement the serene moments delving into the attractive headwaters of the Hamps and Warslow Brook valleys.
Morridge (moor ridge), that long arm of high ground extending south from Axe Edge, discreetly defines the south-western limits of Peakland, an horizon between the populated plain and the lonely heartland.
Park upon the generous verges at the road junction near the Rey Viewpoint lay-by (grid ref. 028596). Follow the unenclosed farm track leading SE which passes the Newcastle-under-Lyme motocross course to the R of the depression.
The track rises to a cattle grid/gate then descends through a gateway onto a rough pasture, a legacy of old lead mining ventures. Where the track forks, go through the gate R, descending into the farmyard of Upper Green.
Turn R entering the field via a gate opposite the farmhouse, follow the wall (1) to a stile in the corner. Slant L to enter Lower Green Farm by a stile/gate. From the farmhouse go R, not along the access road, but close by the Atcost building to a field gate. Then turn immediately L to a fence stile and cross the footbridge over the stripling Hamps. The path mounts the slope in a hollow way beside the wall, keeping parallel to the metalled farm road. The angle of the R hand fence indicates the line of the path to the stile, not the gateway. Thereafter it rises beside the fence, not on the road, aiming directly uphill to a stile/gateway and therefrom to the ridge road. Cross to the stile and proceed to the O.S. trig pillar (s4170) at 1394’ (see drawing above), unfortunately situated on a burial mound. Hillocks in the vicinity of the summit are suggestive of mine shafts.
Sandwiched between the upper Hamps and Warslow Brook valley this S running ridge off Morridge has a prominence recognised by the Bronze Age folk who dwelt in its shadow: witness the tumulus.
Discriminating walkers (readers of this book amongst their number!) can discover the merit of this location as a viewpoint with an E bias, down the Warslow Brook valley to Ecton Hill and the Dove Dale hills about Wetton and Alstonefield. The distinctive bedraggled clump of trees on Minninglow, ten miles distant as the crow flies, is visible on a line directly above the Ecton copper mine spoil (Dutchman Level), slightly L of Johnson’s Knoll clump. To the SE, Hazelton Clump, seven miles off, also claims attention above 11am....
