High above Hayfield, at Peep-O-Day, a tiny, round window catches the first rays at dawn. Below, in a shadowed clough, hides an ancient mill, while on the moors the winter bleached grass glows orange in the sun. Here you can sometimes walk almost alone, while even on a beautifully sunny mid-winter Sunday the ridge was far from crowded. Up here the views are spectacular, with Kinder Scout filling the eastern horizon, then a long gradual descent brings you to Birch Vale where a short section of the Sett Valley Trail completes the day.
LOCATION: Hayfield
START: Sett Valley Trail pay & display car park, signed from main road, toilets
Grid ref: SK036870 Postcode: SK222EN
DISTANCE: 6.5 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 4 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - Dark Peak Landranger 110
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Big Stone, Phoside, Whiterakes, Foxhole Clough
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News