Alport Castles from Ladybower

31/12/2017.

The last day of 2017, we wanted to finish the year on a high. I suppose it hasn't been a bad year for walking, although we have only managed to clock up around 650 miles. A few of the years highlights have been The Calf, Buttermere, Smearsett scar, Harter fell and Ben Lomond, all great walks. I say that we wanted to finish on a high,well we certainly did, as todays walk was a real cracker. I nice early start from Ladybower reservoir..

Up up through the woods, we soon found ourselves up on Rowlee pastures. Great views of the Woodland valley from up there, don't know why it is called that. we gazed across the valley to the northern wall of Kinder scout. So windy up there today, even the Ravens were having trouble with flying. I quite enjoyed being buffeted around by the strong wind.

The path changed direction and with the wind now behind us we were blown along at speed in the direction of Alport castles. I loved the moorland colours up there, the grasses always look their best in the winter. In the distance there was a sprinkling of snow up on Bleaklow,hanging around from the snows earlier in the week.

We planned to drop down into Alport dale from here but first we detoured to have a close look at Alport castles..A real spectacle that never fails to impress I stood on the rim looking out across to the tower. There is no castle here as the name suggests, just a huge landslip. Its an amazing place,half a mile long it is said to be the largest landslide in the British isles. The name Castles comes from the debris scattered along the slopes of the hill. There are several gritstone mounds that really do resemble castles. The largest of these is called The Tower and it really does look like a full scale Motte and Bailey castle.

A most strange,but beautiful light up there this morning, Rain swept in and I never got any good photos, never mind, I'm sure that this will not be my last visit to this magical place. We retraced our steps to find the path that skirts around the edge of the Landslip. We looked back often and bugger me the sun came out and the rocks looked far more cheerful, I toyed with the idea of going back up for a photograph..Nah, we kept to the path dropping down into the valley.

Down in the valley it dawned on me that I had only ever been here once before. Its a lovely valley with only a couple of buildings along its length Alport castles farm sits in a remote spot beside the Alport river. Apart from walkers that come to see the castles, no one visits the Dale, must be heavenly to live here, with just the sheep and wildlife for company.

I enjoyed every step along the valley. So much to see, so much to admire There are many beautiful places in the Peak district and we all have our favourites. But The Alport valley on this beautiful sunny December morning knocked me for six....I was smitten.

We left Alport dale at Alport bridge and entered the woodlands valley, not half as pretty but enjoyable all the same. We stopped for something to eat here in a sheltered lane. lovely Cheese and pickle sandwichs washed done with Hot Chocolate... "who made this Hot chocolate its disgusting"..oh yeah it was me...Water will suffice.

It was all uphill again as we climbed up to the ridge that seperates the Woodlands valley and Ladybower reservoir. Suddenly lots of people about, we decided to go straight back to the car giving the crowds at Fairholmes a wide berth...Well that's another walk done, a great way to end the year...I wonder what next year will bring....hopefully more of the same.