Longstone Edge 25th October 2008

One of the delightful hidden valleys on the way to Longstone Edge.

The view in to Coombs Dale fro the start of the "precarious narrow trod".

Longstone Edge - the bit we walked along.

Walk stats: Distance:8.7 miles; Climb:1411'.

Time: 4 hours 22 minutes; Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Celia and Dave J.

Much to our surprise this walk was completed in the dry with very little wind. The rain only caught up with us for the last ten minutes or so of the walk.

We started the walk at the Monsal Head rather than the described routes suggestion of Greater Longstone. The Monsal Trail was the way we chose on the outward journey. This was a delightful path with the sun shining through the trees autumn leaves giving a blaze of reds and oranges.

The route description presented one or two challenges and we didn't quite get it right all of the time. A good reason for doing this walk again, especially since we missed viewing "Deep Rake"! However the route we did take was also good and has a good chance of becoming the way of choice should we do it a third time.

This walk did give a feel about it of walking along a ridge, giving good views into the valleys below and the entrance into Coombs Dale along the "precarious narrow trod" was quite dramatic!

Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Robin, Mistle thrush, Dunnock, House sparrow, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Buzzard and Kestrel.

The Monsal Head Hotel was so busy that we were forced to retreat to our usual hostelry at Leek. Most of us enjoyed Hartington Bitter in the characterful Wilkes Head.

Overall a good day in the Peak district, it was good to be back in this part of the woods again!