Walk 2534 - printer friendly version

Chinley Churn & South Head Walk

Author - Mike Bexley

Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km

Ascent - 1450 feet / 439 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SK038824
Lat 53.340289 + Long -1.9443913
Postcode SK23 6EB (approx. location only)

This Peak District walk makes you familiar with the hills that you can see driving along the A6 Whaley Bridge By-pass and provides a useful introduction to hill walking in this part of the Peak District National Park.

The walk starts from a car park in Chinley (grid ref SK038824). From the car park's narrow entrance turn left in a westerly direction along the road then right at the footpath sign. This path takes you over the railway bridge up to a road. On reaching the road turn left then right at the corner and right again up the steep bridleway.

Keep on this bridleway bearing left towards the end to reach grid reference 039836. Take the path left then after the stile climb the steep short path on the right into the disused quarry. Although the summit and trig point of Chinley Churn is out of bounds it is interesting to spend a little time wandering with care in the quarries, certainly the views across the valley make the effort worthwhile.

Proceed along the path north to the gate in the lane to Hills Farm (grid ref 041849). Then right down this lane to the road at Peep-O-Day. Allegedly this interesting name comes from the position of the small window above the porch of the house. In the early morning sun shines through this window onto and down the stairs.

Turn left on the main road then continue up the bridleway on the right. Turn right again following the bridleway to the gate at the end where a sign provides details of nature in the area (grid ref 056846). Keep to the path ahead skirting to the left of South Head. Alternatively you can take the visible path up to South Head summit for the views before dropping back down to the path on your left.

Turn right at the next bridleway (grid ref 066843) passing Beet Farm, with its thoughtful inscriptions above the windows. On reaching the collection of farm buildings named 'Hull End' (grid ref 055827) turn right passing in front of the converted barn with its large window. Follow the path through the farm to a stream then right up the fields to turn left along the lane at the cottages to the road.

Cross over the road to the lane ahead passing White Knowl Farm then left at the buildings (grid ref 047831) following the walled lane brings you to a tunnel under the railway and the road ahead. Turn right on the road and walk through Chinley to your start.

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