What to Expect

A proper Peak District adventure this one. We’ll be heading out onto the wild plateau of Bleaklow to bag a few Ethels, starting with Alport Moor, probably one of the trickiest Ethels to find in the whole list. From there we’ll make our way across the moor to Bleaklow Head and Higher Shelf Stones, with the option of a quick detour to Featherbed Top to round the day off. This is a big day out. Expect rough, boggy ground, plenty of off-path navigation and that remote feeling Bleaklow does so well. It’s not the easiest walking, but that’s exactly what makes it such a rewarding adventure, a true taste of the wild side of the Peak District.

We'll start with the toughest section first on a pathless route onto Alport Moor. We'll be following a stream which can get boggy and wet. There will be no path so we will be yomping through Heather and tussock grass which can twist ankles and be tripping hazards. Once on Alport more there will be faint paths leading onto Bleaklow which we will be grateful for as we will be heading uphill. Once on Bleaklow the ground stays featureless and boggy. Coming off we will follow the Pennine Way which is paved in places. This is a proper off path experience in one of the bleaker areas of the Peak. We are still in ground nesting season, but coming to the end of it. Be careful with foot placement and dogs on short leads at all times. I expect everyone to be well dressed with a full kit list. No exceptions.