mickleden straddle route

[egor]

ran this race and have been back quite a few times to do the route again as its quite nice and not too far to drive. was looking at OS map and wondered if there was a route over the tops, extending the race route a bit. so instead of turning right and going up howden clough through the woods, keep going past the damm and turn right at hey bank again just going a bit through woods, up over nether hey, to row top and along the top of howden edge and meet the race route just above cut gate end.

any local knowledge about whether theres path, looking at OS map there seems a low key path, but im not sure and there is whether its runnable? any ideas appreciated.

[IanDarkpeak]

ran this race and have been back quite a few times to do the route again as its quite nice and not too far to drive. was looking at OS map and wondered if there was a route over the tops, extending the race route a bit. so instead of turning right and going up howden clough through the woods, keep going past the damm and turn right at hey bank again just going a bit through woods, up over nether hey, to row top and along the top of howden edge and meet the race route just above cut gate end.

any local knowledge about whether theres path, looking at OS map there seems a low key path, but im not sure and there is whether its runnable? any ideas appreciated.

Hi Egor

This is my local area, masses to do along Howden Edge. If you want a good variation with out the rocky descents try up cut gate and then reverse the MS route to the side of the dam turn left and follow trail to Abbye tip plantation from here there are at least 4 variations all worth exploring but the best is to climb Abbey Brook, probably the best valley in the area. stay on lower path unless you want an even longer run until sheepfold clough where a small trod will appear droping down to stream on left ( this is the HPM route).

you can follow this back all the way to the top of cut and return but turn off at the finger post a go down to North America and then turn left and follow path back up to Delf edge and back.

or From the boottom of Sheep fold keep going until a faint but definite trod (there used to be a small finger post but the cairn is still there) turns left and follow Cartledge Brook. Depending on Variation you can head for High Stones or MH Worth checking your compass over here and then back as before. You can extend either of these by taking in Lost Lad/Back top.

The route up Hey Bank is good for a hill session but it is a steep rocky landrover track. Not very pretty until you get high up. Much better to head up Abbey Brook.

If you are feeling more adventuress head right at the top of cut gate to OE and along the watershed until a tiny cairn at SK 14223 98656( this is the route of the Grin and Bear it) from there find the V small trod left down to Sheperds meeting stones and back along the valley but to be honest explore, you can climb/Descend any where along this edge, plenty of springs/wrecks/Stones/etc to find. it is a bit more exposed up here with less ramblers so take map/compass.

There even more than this but don't want to tell you every thing in one go.

If you want a tour some time drop me a PM.

[jodg]

Might be up for this....as long as it's a weekend!

Not sure yet, keep us posted. Have Kinder Downfall and PPP coming up soon.