Axe Edge Route 3
Discover Peak District wilderness
D espite being crossed by the A54 and A537, the White Peak area around the upper reaches of the infant River Dane is a surprising wilderness where you quickly feel as though you are miles from anywhere. This route takes in the little-visited summits of Axe Edge Moor (1,807ft/551m) and the adjoining Axe Edge (1,801ft/549m), and continues along tracks and paths (with some intricate route-finding) working a way in and out of valleys to reach the amazing old mine workings at Danebower Quarries. From here there is more wilderness to explore with a traverse of wild moorland and a climb to reach Britain’s second highest pub, the Cat and Fiddle (closed at present, awaiting a new tenant). The going is mostly straightforward and there are usually paths and tracks to follow, but in mist and low cloud this could be a confusing area. You really want a clear day to visit to soak up the all-round views over the rolling peakland landscape. The terrain can be boggy in places as you traverse the moors, and there is one tricky river ford crossing at Danebower Quarries that is impossible to negotiate if the water level is high.
1
SK018715 Exit the car park going right (north-easterly) rising on a track. At the top of the pass descend a few metres beyond to cross a stile right (SK027721) for Axe Edge Moor. Rise up the moor – there are fenced-off mineshafts so take care. Soon descend and go left at a fork. Cross a stile taking a path ahead to the A537. Cross over half-left to negotiate a stile by a gate. Take a rising track cutting left. Rise to a fork and go left. Continue to a fenced-off enclosure (SK028707). Go left, descending left of the fence. At a corner go half-right up the moor. Descend past rocks, climbing beyond to the summit of Axe Edge Moor.
2
SK035706 Take a path southerly, following it through a gate to a minor road. Cross over it, taking a faint path to a better path. Cross this going halfright and descending over a stream. Go left shortly, cutting back right to a grass-topped wall. Cut back left of it and take a rising path up Axe Edge. Follow this path over Axe Edge summit (unmarked). Descend southerly, following the deteriorating path to a track near a farmhouse. Go right through a parking area. Descend beyond and when the track bends right (and a track comes in left from a gate) leave it to follow a path ahead by a wall left. Cut right by a fence and broken wall, continuing to go left through a gate
(SK028687). Pass through a broken wall and cut half-right, soon going half-left following the path towards a house ahead. Cross a small stream and continue over a bigger one via a hidden bridge. Cross a broken wall and rise to a path junction and signpost.
3
SK026688 Go left past the farmhouse. Follow the track through a gate and continue to go left at a track junction. Continue to a road junction. Go right, rising past a path on your left. Descend beyond and, as the lane bends right, go ahead by a fence and wall, descending to a lane. Go left and down to a road and track junction after a bridge. Carry on ahead over a cattle grid, climbing up the track to Black Clough Farm. Go through the farmyard to the track end and on through a gate, then cut right and left and pass a fenced-off enclosure. Continue ahead, passing through a wall gap then follow a rising track half-right and go through a gate in the wall. Bear left on a path, through a gate and carry on through the quarry – going ahead at a marker. Curve left through mine buildings. Follow the descending path to reach a river and ford, carefully crossing it. Climb past a circular building to go left at a signpost, carrying on through spoil heaps then continuing more levelly on a track. Follow it past a chimney and on, through a gate, until you reach the A54.
4
SK008698 Cross this main road, going half-left and taking a rising track through three gates to open ground. Descend ahead, following the path over a beck. Bear right, going through a wall gap to a track junction. Go right, rising to pass through another gate. Rise beyond, curving right then left to a track junction and signpost. Go left, rising on the track through a gate. Continue over the moor to the A537 at the (closed) Cat and Fiddle pub.
5
SK001718 Go right past the pub, then turn left for ‘Derbyshire Bridge’. Follow the descending lane to return to the car park.