Sunday 20th March 2016 - Castleton, Derbyshire

Our walks this month are based on Castleton in Derbyshire. The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt and drive to Hayfield where the B+ group will leave the coach to start their walk. The coach will then continue on to Hope where the B walk starts and finally on to Castleton with the A and C walkers. There are toilets at all three starting points. B+ and B walkers should have their rucksacks with them in the coach and boots on ready for quick dismounts to avoid delays.  All walks end in Castleton where there are plenty of refreshment possibilities. We plan to leave at 5.00 to be back in Formby about 7.30.  Boots are essential on all walks.

The cost of travel will be £10.00 for members, £13.00 for non-members and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education. Please make your cheque payable to Range Walking Club and ensure it is signed as it is inconvenient for the Treasurer to chase up such omissions.

Please send in your return to the Treasurer before 10th March; places will be booked on the coach by the treasurer on a first come first served basis.

Cancellations: if you need to cancel or make a late booking, please contact the Treasurer on 01704 809287 or by email monicatuk@yahoo.co.uk who will endeavour to substitute your booking from the waiting list.  If you cancel after 10th September and it is not possible to fill your place on the coach, regrettably, we will not be able to give you a refund as coaches will have been booked on initial returns.

Leaders Meeting: Monday 25th April at the Pinewoods commencing at 8.00pm

The Club Weekend Great Malvern Friday 3rd – Monday 6th June 2016
The weekend will be based at the Abbey Hotel Great Malvern.  A lot of people have already booked but if you now wish to come and stay at the Abbey Hotel please contact Margaret Pegg who will add you to the group booking.  If you wish to come and stay in other accommodation please let Margaret know so she is aware of the numbers that will be walking.

‘A’ Walk Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 2000 ft Leaders: Shaun Rollinson Ken Bryning	This exhilarating walk combines a limestone gorge and two ridges with four prominent summits. On a clear day there are fine views from the ridges to the Edale and Hope valleys. Heading south from Castleton we follow the narrow limestone gorge of Cave Dale that leads steeply uphill to the high pastures above the village. Easy walking takes us west, then north and west before we head east up the ridge of Rushup Edge to the summit at Lord’s Seat, before ascending to Mam Tor, a prime view point and the site of an ancient hill fort. The ridge is now called the “Great Ridge” which we follow, firstly, descending to the ancient crossing point at Hollins Cross before climbing Back Tor and after another dip climbing to Lose Hill summit, another splendid view point. We then descend via fields into Castleton.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 1850 ft Leaders: Dave Purdy A N Other	This is a linear walk starting from Hayfield and finishing at Castleton.  From the car park in Hayfield, where toilets are available, we walk generally southeast on the Pennine Bridleway passing Mount Famine, South Head and Roych Clough to reach the main A 625 road.  Turning east, footpaths over Rushup Edge bring us to the minor road just below Mam Tor and from this point there are two possible routes taking us to our destination in Castleton: (a) via Mam Tor and the “Great Ridge” as far as Hollins Cross, then down into Castleton (b) south via Windy Knoll then through Cavedale beneath Peveril Castle into Castleton. The choice of ending will depend on conditions on the day and the wishes of the group.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 8 miles Ascent: 1400 ft Leaders: David Poole Liz Bellman	We will leave the coach in the village of Hope where toilets are available, so please have your rucksacks ready on the coach and change into boots before arrival for a quick exit from the coach. We leave the village and head in a northerly direction to cross the railway and ascend to Win Hill via Twitchill Farm. A short climb then takes us to Thornhill Brink where a short diversion to the summit of Win Hill is recommended to take in the good views across to Bamford Edge. Leaving this rocky outcrop behind, we head across the heather clad moorland above Hope Brink with views to Lose Hill to the west. We then walk northeast along the Roman Road, which follows the ridge before descending to the valley at Bagshaw Bridge. We then contour around the lower slopes of Lose Hill and return back to Castleton via a series of quiet paths and lanes.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 800 ft Leaders: Janet Purdy Glennis Poole	We walk out to the east of Castleton and take a path through fields to the village of Hope where we will call at the Courtyard Café for a hot drink. We then start a gentle climb to Losehill Farm and the trig point on Lose Hill. Turning to walk west along the ridge with spectacular views of Edale we reach Hollins Cross and start the gradual descent back into Castleton. There may be an option to add on a visit to Peveril Castle at the end of the walk for the more energetic members of the group.