The roads in were passable and four hardy souls ventured forth from the Country Park in Buxton. At the top of the woods (first photo) we decided to skip the wonders of Solomon’s temple with its magnificent imaginary views.  We headed instead into Grinlow caravan park and its toilet block and then Southwards into the grounds of the Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre. This 550-acre site, which opened at Harpur Hill in 1927 for mining safety, has evolved into a major facility for ensuring safety in complex and high-hazard industries. We merely skirted and quickly within the site perimeter before venturing into open moorland with no clearly defined path – some kind soul had ventured across earlier in the snow which made navigation a little easier. Soon we crossed the A53 and crossed a snow-clad Axe Edge Moor before crossing the A54 and making our way North to the East of Derbyshire bridge. We looped back into Buxton by following a stream, where we were able to have lunch in a relatively protected space by a gushing waterfall,  before completing the last leg of the walk back to the cars. It is always good fun walking in the snow and this enjoyable walk was a challenge, but fun.

Derek Lowe