Group walk report 8th January

The group heading up towards Chinley Churn on a hazy morning.

It was one of those rare sunny days this year that coincided with the walk from Hayfield led by Ian Mabon. Despite it being a cool morning, fifteen walkers set out from the Sett Valley Car Park and initially followed the Sett Valley Trail for about a mile before heading south via the long ascent up Morland Road. With hazy views towards Kinder Scout it was good to be out on such a pleasant day. A sheltered spot was found in some old quarry workings for our morning break close to the summit of Chinley Churn.
Setting off, we now had a long gradual descent via Cracken Edge and down into the village of Chinley. Field paths were next followed passing White Knowl Farm, East Meats and Slack House and our lunch stop was taken on the sunny and sheltered side of a dry stone wall.
For the afternoon, it was a gradual ascent via Shireoaks to reach the Pennine Bridleway which was followed northwest to a spot just below South Head. Heading north, the moorland was in shade and the low sunshine casting long shadows as we descended to South Head Farm. A short afternoon break was taken near Coldwell Clough before rejoining the Pennine Bridleway for the walk back into Hayfield.
To complete the walk, many of the group visited Millie’s Tea Rooms for tea and cake with one person who shall remain nameless having a very large slice of cake.

As the sunshine is becoming a rare occurrence this year, I am including a few more photographs just to remind you what it is like when the sun shines!

A sheltered sunny spot below a dry stone wall for the lunch break.

View towards Roych Clough from above Shireoaks Farm.

Onward and upwards towards the Pennine Bridleway.

Heading along the Pennine Bridleway towards South Head.

Ian leads the party down towards South Head Farm.