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Higher Shelf Stones from Old Glossop

Start/Finish

The turning circle at the end of Shepley Street in Old Glossop. From Glossop, take the Snake Pass road. Go through the first roundabout then take the next left at the Commercial Inn which goes up Manor Park Road. Higher up, the road seems to go right which is Shepley Street (there is a street sign). Follow this to its end at a turning circle just after a large factory on the left. Do not park in the turning circle but park sensibly close by.

Distance/Time

9 km.    About 3 – 4 hours.

Peaks

Higher Shelf Stones, 621 m, SK 088 947.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak.    OS 1 : 50 000 Sheet 110.

Introduction

This is a short but fine walk in the Dark Peak which, in good weather has good views of the surrounding countryside including Bleaklow and Kinder. Some of the going is boggy, even in a dry spell, and gaiters are recommended. This walk can easily be accomplished on a short winter's day. It is recommended when the ground is frozen as that makes it less boggy! Because of the nature of the terrain, this walk is best undertaken in clear weather. In mist, the higher terrain can be very confusing and the limited vision can suggest going N which is off route. The path helps but it does not take much snow to hide it! In such conditions, leave obvious footprints to guide the descent!

Route

(1) Walk up the track alongside Shelf Brook which is the continuation of Shepley Street beyond the turning circle. After about 800 m and just after crossing the bottom of Small Clough ( the bottom of Small Clough is named as Shittern Clough on 1 : 25 000 maps), there is a gate across the track with a small gate to the left. Do not take the path through the small gate as it leads up the Yellow Slacks ridge (this route is posted separately), instead stay on the main track. Further on, a path goes right for Doctor's Gate but ignore that too and stay on the same track and soon pass a large stone building, in good condition. By now the Shelf Benches ridge should be obvious ahead and to the left. Pass the corner of a wall then pass through a broken wall. Soon after, a path goes off left heading for the top of the Shelf benches ridge. Ignore this and stay on the grassy track and follow it up. Further on, ignore a right fork and continue ahead. Further on, the track starts to bend around to the right, E, and becomes a path. Follow this up, crossing a simple stile, on to James Thorn then continue, roughly E, on the path which now has little gradient and weaves around looking for the best ground. Even so some boggy hollows have to be crossed. The final section of the path goes S to the trig point which is the summit of Higher Shelf Stones, 621 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 9^th November, 2016.