Thursday 1st May Walk Report

Eleven of us set off from Old Dam near Peak Forest in very warm sunshine. We ascended a quiet lane where we found a gold DofE group resting at the top. They asked for help navigating and, hopefully, a combined effort from us set them on their way again. After a couple of stiles and a short ascent passing a small quarry site, we reached the trig point of Bradwell Moor (not the Bradfield Moor typo that appeared in the notice for this walk)! As it had in- built benching all round, a break for photos, sky lark observations distant hill spotting and early refreshments was inevitable. We then followed a small path along the ridge before descending to a wider track that took us to the gigantic chasm of Eldon Quarry (last worked in the 1980s we think). We negotiated a gate and a steep slope down to one of the many terraces. This path, for me, was the highlight as it gives a unique vista of the enormous old workings and a real sense of its depth. The terrace skirted the quarry length to the base. After lunch we followed a ridge and a steep tussocky ascent to the top of Eldon Hill. The descent line led to a fenced off Eldon Hole – that links to other well known cave systems. A lane, passing a farm, brought us back to our cars. A tad over 6 miles completed with plenty of interest throughout. Thanks for your company.