The Long Tour of Bradwell Route (22/07/2009 15:01:50)

The Long Tour of Bradwell

From the Start SK173817, head SW to the bottom of Smalldale SK171815. Turn R onto a green lane and follow the footpath/bridleway thru' cement works. 100m before the bottom of Pindale, look for red/white barrier tape on the metal barrier/stile and "dib" in the SPORTident box, CP1 SK162823 (1.5k total).

At road corner turn L up the Pindale stony track, past the cottages. Towards the top on a bend (SK157821) you have route choice –

On the road turn L up hill & follow road 200m to bottom of Dirtlow Rake - use the track here to climb and continue to CP2 SK135813 (5k total) - stile/gate at the track/bridleway crossing.

Turn NE onto the bridleway, across field & down to shallow valley bottom. Look at the finger post and do not go up the other side! Descend more steeply down Cave Dale itself - CARE!! SLIPPERY WHEN WET! CP3 at SK150826 (7k) - gateway just before cottages at bottom. (Marshal/water)

Follow road N, with the church to LEFT, onto main street then straight on at R/h bend. Follow small road ‘Millbridge’ then Hollowford Lane passing the Hollowford Centre (on the Right). (Fork left twice, one either side of the centre). After 1km, at sharp bend, go thru' gate/stile up narrow f/p and on up to Hollins Cross. Descend bridleway approx 150m then straight on down f/p to the Edale road.

CP4 SK122861 (12k) - footbridge across Grindsbrook (the start of the Pennine Way). (100m beyond the Nags Head)

Follow path N steeply up the hill past Heardman's Plantation zigzagging onto the Nab, then N to below Ringing Roger, following the path diagonally up onto lower of the 2 edge paths. Cut across to upper path & contour round to CP5 SK134874 (14.5km) - the Druid's Stone.

Descend S off Kinder (taped initially) heading down the bowl into the obvious valley. CARE there is a path but it is muddy and narrow). Follow f/p down to the YH keeping buildings to R, onto drive then down to the Edale road. Turn R of road for approx 600m – (EXTREME CARE ON HERE! There is no path)- 150m after the railway bridge L onto lane leading up to Backtor Farm. Up until the last gate and open land. follow path along the wall SE then diagonally up to Backtor Nook & steep up steps to Back Tor summit, ridge path to CP 6 SK151852 (19k) - fence section at stile.

Visit Lose Hill summit (DO NOT CUT ACROSS FLANK!) down steep path to stile and (taped) f/ps to Crimea Fm. Fine descent through fields to buildings, cross railway line and continue to green caravan then L to road. Cross road (CARE!) and take lane opp. down to bridge CP7 SK171839 (22k - marshals, water).

Head NE along lane then R past the cemetery, under railway line, past Fairfield Fm. L (uphill) at lane junction continue thru' Aston. You may take the short cut footpath at SK182839. 75m after the Hall (on left) to take the f/p at SK186839 and run diagonally up onto the Win Hill ridge to CP8 SK192846 (24.5k) - fingerpost.

Continue N along track approx 20m to water trough/stream crossing then turn E (taped) 15m down shallow stream to turn L onto a smaller path following an old wall towards the woods & crossing Parkin Clough SK193851. Continue on contour track, gently descending to CP9 SK195858 (26k) - gate at track junction.

Descend SE to reservoir, turn S and cross dam wall to CP10 SK201854 (27k) (Metal fence on verge just after metal gate)

Turn R and down to marshal / water point at roadside.