Edaupp two

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Walked from Edale to Fairholmes. An excellent route with fine views, but a lot of ups and downs and a few rough and steep sections. Jaggers Clough is forded, which I suspect could be tricky in spate. Despite the difficulties this is still the easiest route between the two "settlements" - the obstacles are inevitable given the geographic barriers and the hills are crossed without much unnecessary climbing.

From Edale station we go up a short distance on the road to the village then take the field path right, which has a stile and a squeeze stile early on. This path through the fields is fairly direct, a mixture of unsurfaced field paths and farm lanes, a little muddy in places but not too wet. We return to the road briefly in Nether Booth - take care on the section out of the hamlet.

Before too long we take the charming path left that passes a farm then fords a small stream before continuing up the hillside at a gentle gradient. The path is forced to descend by the deep defile of Jaggers Clough, we zigzag left and right before fording the stream, followed by perhaps the steepest climb of the walk.

We are soon on the grassy plateau between Kinder Scout and Win Hill, and we head straight on at the path crossroads down into the woods. The path takes a sharp right turn, and the side path left could easily be missed as it is unsignposted and a little indistinct at first, so watch your navigation closely. In normal circumstances the descent is easy, but for me it was slightly complicated by a fallen tree, which I was able to clamber under.

We cross Haggwater Bridge and climb again, crossing the busy Snake Road with care and continuing up the well engineered zigzags to the top of the hill, where we join a forest road. Here I ignored warnings that the bridlepath was "closed on weekdays", and was able to pass the outdoor centre and reach the permissive path easily without any sign of forestry work.

The permissive path down the hill is well engineered and signposted, and has a few steps in the steeper sections. The GPX plot is pretty good. We reach the road and cross to use a surfaced path to reach the visitor centre and the meeting point outside it.

Overall this is a very enjoyable walk and I am happy to give it the full five stars, but as a walker you should carry whatever food and drink you need and expect a few rough surfaces and minor obstacles.

Some steep climbs which then offer stunning views. Potential for cattle, steps rough ground and paths shared with bikes. No services along the route. Plotting is good on recorded rights of ways and on the permissive section.

I walked from Fairholmes, Upper Derwent Visitor Centre. The place was busy even on this September Wednesday, it may have been the late summer weather but I guess it's busy most days based on the large car park, slick operation at the cafe and extensive picnic benches. For me this bustling location is remote and isolated, having walked in from Hathersage my only way out is to walk another Slow Way. The bus shelter proves my point where the timetable offers no buses Monday to Saturday only a Sunday service.

A notice at the start of the walk records a public path closure with as usual 'No alternative route'. All well and good for those setting out but my other option is to return to Hathersage the way I came. The notice does give some hope "Access will be maintained whenever reasonably possible". I give it a go.

The permissive paths are well signed and walked so easy to follow. It's a steep climb and at times has steps along the narrow path, signs state no cycles and I didn't meet any but riders do appear to treat any path as open to bikes.

The permissive path meets the closed bridleway. Here I can hear the distantant sound of forestry work, the reason for the closure, but turning south I have open fields to one side and no sign of work in progress. I'm soon at Lockerbrook Outdoor Centre where notices make clear where permissive paths are not.

It's downhill from here along a track used by traffic to the centre so although it's subject to the closure it is open. I guess the closure was really the wooded section further north. At a crossing of paths I continue downwards and after passing another Outdoor centre at Hagg Farm the Snake Pass road is crossed, no issues using eyes and ears to reach the path opposite.

It continues down to a bridge over the River Ashop. From here another climb to a point just north of Hope Cross then dropping again along a peaceful bridleway to Jaggers Clough, a ford here may offer a challenge after heavy rain. This is a lovely spot and far less busy than the similar bridge crossing at the foot of Jacob's Ladder on the Pennine Way.

The stream offers a chance to freshen up but is short lived as departure is another, albeit short, climb. Wow what a wonderful view at the top, the ridge from Lose Hill to Mam Tor and beyond, from a path new to me, always a delight. It's now a gentle descent so an easier climb if starting from Edale. The short section of road is not an issue and the alternative to the YHA would involve another climb.

Good to see a screen showing, what I assume to be, live train information but no the tail end of a station announcement warns this is not to be relied on. There will be a good number of disgruntled passengers if the train fails to show.

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