Strenuous Leader: Martin Distance: 11 miles – 1450ft climb
We head south out of Buxton, up towards Grimlow tower (view) on tracks and grass. On descending we pick up tracks and public footpath on a slow ascent to High Edge. A long quiet road walk takes us east to Hind low (view)before dropping down to Brier low bar(toilet) We cross A515 down Brier low Dale on a agricultural grass paths route to Cowdale and Staden. Stone step stiles are common on this walk, traditional wood stiles are also encountered, in various states of repair.
Moderate Leader: Laura Distance: 7 miles – 730ft climb
We make our way from Sylvan Coach Park down the high street to the Pavilion Gardens, we then head towards Poole’s Cavern. Nearby is a woodland path that takes us through Buxton Country Park on a steady ascent to Solomon’s Temple. We are rewarded with views of Buxton and around the valley.
We pick up tracks along the Dane Valley Way. There is a road that we need to navigate on a steep hill, but within 100 yards we take a footpath over pasture land for our return into Buxton.
Terrain is limestone, good wide tracks, some mud but no stiles. Just a couple of tree roots and a shallow stony stream we have to walk through, that is where the mud is.
Gaiters and walking poles may be useful, if you have them.
Livestock- be prepared to walk through sheep and docile cattle. We also pass through the yard of a riding school, so horses and ponies can be expected. Solomon’s Temple is used by locals to walk their dogs. Few are on leads.
Easy Leader: Peter Distance: 3 miles
We will set off from the nearest toilet then head for the crescent before going into the park we will meander through and along the picturesque vistas and out of there we will then head up towards the Temple Caves and Go-Ape – there is a cafe and a picnic area where we can have meaningful break!
After the discussion we will head up the shallowest incline to meet Charlie and Maude then descend back to the picnic area and back to the town of whatever is your preference to end a fabulous day out with fantastic people.
The walk is approximately three miles no more.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Buxton lies at the heart of the Peak District National Park which includes some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in Britain and at over 1000ft is the highest market town in England. When there is snow about Buxton gets it. On June the 1st in 1975, a week before the hot summer arrived snow, nor rain, stopped play at the cricket.
For centuries Buxton has been a spa town, popular with visitors from around the world. The Romans first took the waters, drinking and bathing in the thermal springs which they declared very beneficial. They called the town Aquae Arnemetiae, The Spa of the Goddess of the Grove. These warm thermal waters, at 28 degrees centigrade, still flow freely from St Ann’s Well in the centre of the town, fill the indoor swimming pool in Pavilion Gardens, and is bottled to provide the famous Buxton Spring Water.
This beautiful 18th market town has a wealth of historical and architectural heritage mostly due to its popularity as a Spa town. As well as its architectural heritage, Buxton is home to a host of artists and artistic events at the Opera House as well as a lively tradition of live music in the pubs through the year.
The 100 acre woodland around Grin Low was planted by the 6th Duke of Devonshire around 1820 to hide the eyesore caused by quarrying and lime burning, and is now a mature woodland, with mixed broad leaf trees and some conifers. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rich variety of plant life, with many wild animals and birds. The level open glades are the remains of waste ash from 17th and 18th century lime burning kilns and are carefully managed to prevent the growth of invading plants.
The viewpoint tower of Solomon’s Temple was built in 1896. It is on the site of a tumulus, a neolithic burial mound. It replaced an earlier structure which was probably used as a shelter in times of bad weather, and probably gets its name from Solomon Mycock who rented the land in the early 1800’s.
The nearby Cat & Fiddle Inn is the second highest inn in England, 1,690 ft above sea level.