Up, Down, and All Around
Have you ever seen a hill that you've just though "I've got to get to the top of that" but seemingly never get round to. Well, that was the case with me and Win Hill, and now I can happily say that it has been conquered.
Originally, I was going to stick to one side of Ladybower Reservoir by crossing over the dam and walking along the edge now bounded by the road before turning to go up the valley side to the top, back along to Win Hill, and then down through the wood to my starting position. A late departure from my house however meant that parking was already busy when I got there, hence I ended parking alongside the north spur of the reservoir and followed the route shown below.
From where I parked, I walked a little bit back along the road before turning to go up the hill along a bridleway which turned sharply right at Crookhill Farm. Following the bridleway further, it took me through several field where I took a wrong turn initially but, realising my path should take me uphill not down thanks to my map, I quickly doubled back and got on the right track. After passing over the large hill of Bridge-end Pasture, the path became slightly downhill and followed the edge of a wood.
After following this for so long, I reached a crossroads where signs were followed for Hagg Farm. The path here winded its way down past the farm and to the Snake Road which I crossed moving to the bottom of the valley. Here I crossed the River Ashop, and on the other side began to make my way uphill slowly, at first following the river roughly and then zig-zagging for a short while before it straightened out again emerging from the wooded valley sides.
Following the path further, I came to another crossroads and took a left. An obvious choice as at the point I could see the prize of Win Hill in the distance. The direction I was going in now interestingly followed the course of an old Roman road , this sort of historical connection being one of the reasons I like walking.
At a fork, I had to split from the roman road and make a move to continue up hill. Initially looking like I might be walking alongside the edge of the wood again, the path quickly altered course forming a crescent shape along the top of the hill(s). Following this, I relatively quickly and easily got to Win Hill, or Winhill Pike to be precise, as marked by this trig point.
After a short break, I began the steep descent down the east side of Win Hill down Parkin Clough. It was on this that I was once again reminded that I hate going downhill, especially one as steep as this. The photo below doesn't do it justice but does give an idea.
After what seemed like a while, I emerged on a small access road running alongside the River Derwent. Following this uphill to the top of the Ladybower Dam, I crossed it and the walked back round via the road and short stretch of path to where my car was parked.
At 10.6 miles long, this was a decent length walk and epitomises the sort of walk I like, consisting of both moderately easy lowland and hill top walking, plus more challenging and trying stretches that get the heart beating faster. The weather was also perfect when I walked it, though I do lament not applying any sun lotion. Overall, I would highly recommend this walk.
