Buxbak two

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This is a great White Peak walk, it's hard work and there are cattle, steep climbs and narrow rocky paths. There are excellent views and on a sunny May day I had the paths almost to myself. It's are easy to follow but I am suggesting a few minor tweaks so recommend Buxbak-2. There are Inns at three spaced locations along the way but no shops were seen. Taddington offers the Transpeak bus to split or bail out and a Bunk Barn but there are other pop up camp sites along the way. There are sections that would not be pleasant in poor conditions.


I walked Buxton to Bakewell on a warm sunny day. The rail station has seats outside so is a good meeting point. From here it's an immediate climb to the market place and what the map marks as the bus station. Then we dive onto side roads and quickly exit the town through the allotments.

Crossing the road to enter the caravan park keep to the track to the farm, this was my first error. This sections follows the Midshires Way and Peak District Boundary Walk. Both have intermittent waymarking. I've made a minor change at Cowdale to help you avoid the well walked woodland path. Our path is across open fields.

Approaching King Sterndale the parkland is attractive with stands of trees including my favourite a copper beech. The church stands opposite what looks like the old school. That had all been fairly easy walking but get ready for Deep Dale. It is very picturesque but ignore the plot here and carefully follow the zig-zag paths down and then up. I'm sure the east side is the steepest but the top offered a perfect spot for lunch where I had the place to myself.

Caxter Way Lane offers a camp site with great views. From here to Chelmorton the route is along tracks. The Church Inn as the name suggests is opposite the church and looked busy. Another track and a climb passing the village spring. The path here follows an old rake where the sought after mineral was extracted following the vein and leaving the excavation and spoil which we can still see today.

The map tells us that Sough Top is a high point with reservoir, mast and trig pillar, it's not wrong, worth a pause here before dropping down into Taddington. I offer a different route through the village to pass the church where there is seating and a tap. The main street is by-passed so fairly quiet except for the hourly buses. If you don't require Taddington services stay on the top road to avoid a climb. From the Queens Arms I offer a more straight forward track as the many footpaths can be a challenge to locate.

After more track walking, Deep Dale (two) well it's a different parish so it's their deep dale. It's not as deep as the first but still a climb. Across fields now with a view of Magpie Mine which was the last working lead mine in Derbyshire. It really adds something to the landscape near Sheldon. Pass through the village along the main street where another inn may tempt you in. Another small tweak to make use of the short cut path before another climb or perhaps stay on the road at lower level.

Approaching Bakewell I came across the only mud as I entered the field corner from the road. Cattle were strangly attracted to this spot so it was a challenge to negotiate mud and the small heard. The town becomes evident with the spire hiding over another lime stone wall. The final section of footpath is now used as a narrow walled car access where we go on meeting a car, I know not. A walk through the churchyard and my final tweak should make the last few yards easy to navigate. A great walk, highly recommended.

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