Pathfinder Peak District: White Peak Pathfinder Guide: Amazon.co.uk: Crimson Publishing: Books

Product Description

Few places are remote from a small village or the web of narrow lanes and tracks that extend across the White Peak and general navigation is not a significant problem. However, countryside walking often demands attention to detail; being on the wrong side of a wall can usher you in the wrong direction, and the location of stiles and gates is essential in charting a course across a chequer-board of fields. Much of this part of the Peak is actively farmed and, away from the moors, as there are fewer swathes of open access land, it is important to follow recognised paths. Several walks explore the higher ground of the region, which, like all hill areas, is susceptible to changeable weather and demands adequate equipment and experience. Even in the sheltered dales, walking can be demanding for although climbs and descents may be relatively short, are often abrupt. In the most popular gorges, good paths have been laid, but elsewhere the terrain is often rocky and, in wet conditions, limestone polished by the passage of innumerable feet and steep grass slopes can become very slippery. In an area where there is so much worthy of exploration, the difficulty is not in what to include, but rather what to leave out. This collection has been chosen to explore the many different aspects of the countryside and sometimes include or lie close to another attraction. Amongst the notable things to see are Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall as well as many museums such as the lead museum at Matlock Bath and that relating the harrowing story of 17th-century plague in Eyam. Most villages have an interesting church, and although sadly many are locked, it is often possible to locate the keyholder. In a region where almost every village has character that invites exploration there are surprises, like the many-stepped cross at Bonsall and the narrow alleys at Winster. Inevitably, some places are popular and are best reserved for the quieter times of the year. However, many others, no less interesting or possessed of beauty, are less frequented. The Park Authority does an excellent job in maintaining paths, stiles and gates. Together with canal towpaths, former railway lines, old tracks and quiet lanes, they offer endless possibilities for superb walking. There is an on-going policy to replace stiles with gates in popular areas, but you can expect to encounter stiles and squeeze gaps on every walk. In most places, well-behaved dogs are welcome and ought to be kept on leads near livestock, in farmyard areas and while passing through nature reserves. They should also be restrained during the spring nesting season upon the moor and note also that, in some open access areas, dogs are not permitted other than on Rights of Way. Welcoming country pubs and village cafés appear on or near many of the walks, but if you intend relying on them for something to eat, it is as well to check in advance that they will be open when you pass. Having said all that, all that remains is for you to choose your walk and set off.

From the Inside Flap

Pathfinder Guides are the definitive companion to the highways, byways, hills, moors and coastline of the British Isles. With over 50 titles in the series, they offer essential information for walkers throughout the country. Each title includes at least 30 Ordnance Survey maps and around 40 specially-commissioned photographs. Fully revised and updated to include new Ordnance Survey open access land mapping. The Short Walks series is devised for all the family to enjoy. Each guide features 20 routes of 11⁄2 to 51⁄2 miles, with the emphasis on maximising enjoyment and minimising fuss. Each easy-to follow walk has points of interest for children, special features, refreshment stops and facilities, along with quality Ordnance Survey colour mapping and specially commissioned photography, all in a durable, pocket-sized format.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Review of Peak District White Peak Walks 17 Feb 2010

By R Leavey

Format:Paperback

The beauty of this Pathfinder guide which covers the Southern Peak District, is that there are 28 country walks ranging from 3 to 9 miles and the walks are graded according to the approximate time that they will take - there are walks of up to 2.5 hrs, 3-3.5hrs and 4 hours and over. The degree of difficulty is not specified which would have been useful, especially for those not familiar with map reading. As well as the very clear and large scale maps (for which there is a key on the inside front cover) there are GPS references for all route waypoints. Pointed out also are hints on where to park, where there are good pubs to call in at and any other places of interest which the walker might want to explore en route such as churches, stately homes and museums.

The guide is fairly lightweight - only 95 pages - and has a wipe-clean cover, although I would suggest that a spiral binding would make it even more user-friendly as it tends to have a rather stiff binding. There is a good introduction to the Peak District at the beginning which is interesting and worth reading before deciding on a walk.

A section at the back gives you further relevant information such as whether dogs are allowed, and the position regarding Rights of Way and any restrictions.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

An in-depth guide including maps to 28 White Peak walks in the Southern Peak District. 29 Jan 2010

By K. L. Hall

This book is 95 pages long, very light weight with a hardwearing soft back cover which looks & feels waterproof. This book would easily fit into a rucksack or handbag as its measurements are approx 8"x 5"x 1/2" thick.

On the inside front cover there is a key to all the maps indicating Roads & Paths, Public Right of Ways, Symbols, Vegetation, Heights & Rock Features, Guide Walk Symbols & Tourist & Leisure Information.

The book then goes on to show a Contents page which also indicates approximate walk times followed by a two page map of the areas covered in the book and a two page At a Glance listing of all the walks giving page numbers of each walk, Nat. grid references, distances, time, height gain and a short comment about the walk itself.

There then follows an 4 page introduction to The Peak District giving brief descriptions of what it is, where it is located and what areas it covers and also what type of countryside you would expect to find and a little history of the area.

The book then starts to go through each walk in greater detail with each one in a separate section of its own. Each walk is clearly titled at the top of the page and also titled and numbered at the top left of the page. Information is then repeated from the At a Glance page underneath the title but with the addition of Start, Parking, Route Terrain & Ordnance Survey Maps also with a GPS waypoints for I presume if you are to use a Sat Nav, followed by a short description then a more in-depth step by step walkthrough of the walk from beginning to end including places to park, places to eat & anything of interest along the way. Also included are colour photos of any landmarks, a map of the walk showing symbols which can be found on the inside cover as stated earlier.

Following this at the end of the book is a Further Information area which covers Safety on the Hills, Walkers & the Law, Rights of Way, Access Land, Where to Walk, Restrictions, Dogs & General Instructions.

You are also given a list of Useful Organisations which includes names, addressed & telephone numbers of various societies & clubs, e.g. Forestry Commission, The Caravan Club, Peak District Information Centres, Tourist Information Centres etc to name a few.

Lastly on the back inside cover there are other titles in this series which include Short Walk Series - Leisure Walks for all ages & Pathfinder guides.

Although the book doesn't state the difficulty level of each walk, I am sure each individual could assess whether they would be able to do them or not by looking at the distance, terrain and knowing their own physical abilities.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Excellent book. Must have. 11 Mar 2010

By Book Mad Lou

This book is a must for anyone who is exploring Derbyshire white peak. It is very precise and compact. Able to put it in your pocket for directional notes and points of interest.

Friends have tried a few of the walks and report all directions are perfect and easy to follow.

Excellent buy and very reasonably priced