From the parking by Howden reservoir, go through the gate and follow the track up
through the forest.
This is a good track making for a fast paced start. This track is followed along the
Westend through the forest. At the end of the forest and it continues by climbing up the
north east slopes of the valley to reach the ridge to Round Hill.
From here a clear path is seen climbing up to Round Hill, albeit over some boggy moorland
which will be wet after a long period of wet weather.
Follow this path to the shelter marking the summit of Round Hill.
(4.5kms. 280m. 2hrs. 0min.)
From Round Hill there are two prominent sets of Stones on the edge of Bleaklow.
First target is Barrow Stones. Leave Round Hill and walk over to Barrow Stones following
the small path. There are some interesting rock sculptures here.
From here contour around, on a path to Grinah Stones.
Again some interesting rock formations.
Don't be tempted to climb onto the skyline here as any route to Bleaklow Stones is wet and
full of groughs.
Instead find the path that contours around at 570m until it climbs to the rocks of
Bleaklow Stones.
Again there are many interesting rock features here. Arguably the best set of stones.
From here you can see the stakes that mark the edge of Bleaklow. The stakes to the west
lead to Bleaklow Hill (A possible extension of this route).
The view from Bleaklow Stones shows the Bleaklow plateau - remarkably flat. A wild remote
and formitable place on a dark wet day!
The view north is obscured by Bleaklow itself, but the view south to Derwent Edge, Kinder
and the rest of the Peak District is impressive.
(3.0kms. 100m. 1hrs. 10min.)
Look south from Bleaklow Stones and The Ridge marking the west edge of the Westend
is obvious and this is the way down. Rather than making straight to The Ridge is is worth
walking west around the edge path for 500m until a clear, and less boggy, way down
The Ridge is clear.
Now descend down The Ridge.
Follow this route south going through a gate prior to descending the Ridge.
There is a path here, and indeed all the way down this high ground but it is not very
clear in places and can be easily lost.
Keep to the high ground and cross a round raise in the ridge.
Once over here the trig point at Westend moor can be seen and the route follows the
indistinct path to this trig point.
From here a more definite path can be followed that keeps to the south west of the high ground.
Stop at the wall near to Birchens Hat. It is worth continuing on for a short distance to see
Alport Castles, the result of an ancient landslip.
Back to Birchens Hat and down the distinct path
north east that descends through the forest to meet the tracks in the valley bottom.
(6.0kms. 0m. 1hrs. 50min.)
