The Roaches and Dane Valley, Peak District: B Walk (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)

B WALK DESCRIPTION: This is a walk of two halves: a ridge walk and a valley walk. We start from the peakland village of Upper Hulme and soon follow a pretty streamside path before turning off to approach the Roaches ridge. We follow a steadily ascending path around the side of the ridge, then on reaching the main ridge path everything opens up and we are rewarded with magnificent views in all directions. We proceed along the ridge which is mostly flat with a bit of up and down here and there (nothing steep!) sometimes walking on flat slabs, sometimes firm surface, and the views stay with us for a long stretch - it is most enjoyable walking. At some stage we will have our picnic lunches – no shortage of beautiful picnic spots! We descend for the village of Danebridge passing through what was a forested area now largely felled so we follow what has now become a forestry road. After this break we follow the Dane Valley for largely the remainder of the walk, a wide valley initially crossing fields alongside the fast flowing River Dane a steep hill soaring above the valley.  Quite impressive. Finally, we leave the river and slowly ascend a very firm farm track through pleasant countryside finishing with field tracks into the village of Rushton Spencer where our coach awaits us. Walk distance: 9 miles. Total ascent: 1,260 feet. Picnic lunch.