Sunday 28 December 2025 - A Circuit from Buxton

Sue and I met Sue W and GI on Corbar Road in Buxton at 9:45. Both Sue W and GI had planned routes. GI's got the vote as it was less undulating and a little shorter. It proved to be a cracker.

We left Corbar Road after a few metres and headed up a stepped path through Corbar Woods to Corbar Hill. The security gate at the entrance to the woods was rather ineffectual, and we passed through with ease.

We soon reached a large cross at Cuckoo Tors, where our outgoing route would be re-joined for the final steep descent in a few hours' time.

Boxing Day's blue sky had proved to be an isolated cloudless day, so today we were in a cool breeze under grey clouds. But thankfully no rain, and good views down to Buxton, where we tried to pick out Colin Jones's house.

We trundled around the edge of the escarpment, reaching a high point of 507 metres at a trig point on the top of Black Edge.

Lovely belvedere paths led around the hill, soon offering views down to the quarries above Dove Holes and more indistinct peaks beyond that mess.

Elevenses were taken in a sheltered spot near an ancient fort after we'd turned the corner between Short Edge and Combs Edge.

Another trig point was reached. I can't find it on the map!

It's a lovely walk above the escarpment at the edge of the plateau.

Lunch was taken in the shelter of a dry stone wall, next to a locked bothy. There's an unlocked and clean but unfurnished bothy a bit lower down, but the shelter provided by its gloomy interior was not needed today.

This bothy was very much locked.

We enjoyed a good view down to Combs Reservoir from our lunch spot.

The sun was shining on the High Peak summits beyond Chapel-en-le-Frith. It never reached us...

Beyond Combs Edge, we passed some climbers. With no gloves, they admitted to having uncomfortably cold hands.

We continued the circuit, pausing occasionally to admire the views, which admittedly would be better on a sunny day, though conditions today were much better than on Sue W's last visit. There was a bit of bog/mud in places but nothing to trouble our lightweight boots.

On reaching the large cross pictured earlier, we returned through Corbar Woods to Corbar Road, taking care to follow the correct route through the admissions door.

Late Oyster Fungi, sadly out of focus, drew Sue's attention today.

We were back at the cars by 3pm, after our 14.5km walk, with 350 metres ascent, taking 5 hours including quite a few stops. Here's the route.

This is a really excellent route. Thanks to GI for introducing us to it.