The natural rocky outcrop of Alport Castles is one of the marvels of the Peak. It really does look like a stone castle built on the summit of steep sided rocks, but in reality it is a landslip, created by a cataclysmic collapse of the gritstone hillside which slid down towards Alport Dale. Far below is the isolated Alport Castles Farm, celebrated for its annual Love Feast - not an orgy, but a religious communion service.
LOCATION: 10 miles east of Glossop
START: Derwent Valley, signed from A57. Fairholmes car park, toilets, cafe
Grid ref: SK172893 Postcode: S33 0AQ
DISTANCE: 8.5 miles (5.5 using shuttle bus)
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 5 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - Dark Peak Landranger 110
NOTE: Road up the valley beyond car park closed weekends in summer, a shuttle bus operates
REFRESHMENTS: Fairholmes
EN ROUTE: Lockerbrook, River Westend, Howden Reservoir, Birchinlee, Derwent Reservoir
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News