Maybe I had missed the forecast and, to be fair, snow in the Peak District in February is hardly unheard of. Nevertheless, I was still surprised to begin our 9 mile walk from Biggin with snow on the ground and falling flakes in the air. There was also a heavy mist at the start which meant our 13 walkers were deprived of the expansive views as we crossed the limestone plateau en route to the High Peak Trail, tackling several high step stiles with extreme care on the way, given the conditions. The trail was formerly the Cromford and High Peak Railway, opened in 1830 and finally succumbing to the Beeching axe in 1967. It was built to carry minerals and materials to the two end points of Whaley Bridge and Cromford, whence the goods were transported by canal barge to the industrial North West and East Midlands.

With a short diversion via Gotham, we followed the trail south, admiring the massive stonework buttresses on the high embankments and the deep cuttings through the hills.



After a brief drinks break, we climbed the concession path up to Minninglow Hill to view the Neolithic tombs dating back to 3400BC and the Bronze Age barrows from a mere 2000BC. Time for a group photo.



Descending to Roystone Grange, now in brighter weather, we stopped to inspect a building which had all the appearance of a chapel but which, in fact, was a 19th century pump house. A large engine pumped compressed air through cast iron pipes to power rock drills used in the limestone quarries.



We passed by the biggest of the local quarries, Ballidon quarry. Ballidon is famous for the purity of its limestone, rating at 99% calcium carbonate. Judging by the massive hole in the ground, partly filled by a magical-looking green lake, its limestone is clearly in great demand both in the UK and abroad.



The return to Biggin was across fields, often very muddy, but with a final walk along a track with frequent puddles to clean off the boots!
Brian McMahon