Our walk today from Bakewell is 11.5 miles which can be shortened on the day if necessary. From the coach park we make our way through Rutland Park, across the A6 and head uphill where we walk through woods and several fields before reaching our coffee stop.
We then descend to Alport where there's a steep incline up towards Shining Brook quarry, which we will visit on our return journey. At Over Haddon there are toilets and our possible lunch stop. Our alternative lunch stop by the picturesque River Lathkill proved to be problematic on the recce due to being mugged by an aggressive 'gang' of ducks.
After lunch we continue to walk by the river through Lathkill Dale, which is one of the most picturesque valleys in the Peak District. We then have a steep climb back up to the quarry, this time crossing fields and 
eventually getting our first glimpse of Haddon Hall.
We walk a short distance along the main road before turning right onto a foot path leading us back to the river. At this point we continue back into Bakewell along the river or if the weather is good, we'll pick up the Monsal Trail, which again will lead us back to the start of the walk, where there are numerous pubs and cafes in Bakewell.
This is a lovely walk which we have not done for quite a while, so it is one not to be missed.
B' Walk - Leader- Clive Hickman. Distance - 8 miles. Ascent - 1250 ft. Grade - Mod. Clockwise.
Glorious scenery surrounds us throughout the day as we tread good paths and trails with an ascent which is mostly gradual but which does entail one short, sharp climb out of Bakewell early in the day to take us onto higher ground.
This will be well worth the effort as we head east and upward through Manners Wood to reach the splendid 
plateaued heights of Calton Pastures, with glimpses of Chatsworth Estate below to the north east, with its Hunting Tower and Russian Cottage clearly visible. A turn south east takes us onto mostly level ground for a while before we descend gradually on a good path through Rowsleymoor Wood, in the direction of Rowsley. The way ahead is occasionally impeded by a fallen tree but nothing that we can’t skirt around or step over.
Lunch will be taken at the Rowsley Shopping Outlet where there are several public benches and public toilets on site, so this is the perfect location for us on the day.
Leaving Rowsley we head west on a path heading down to the main A6, 
but fortunately we’re only on this for a short distance before we climb north west along the edge of Aaron Hole Woods to emerge at a junction in the path ahead. Continuing on the same bearing takes us onto an excellent track past Coombs Farm, before we join the main Monsal Trail with views of our return to Bakewell, below to our left.
Leaving the Trail just east of Bakewell gives us a short, easy return directly back to the coach park, where the Farmers’ Feast Café is close-by but unfortunately closes at 3 p.m. However, a short walk into town reveals plenty of other places where a well-earned refreshment can be taken.
This is a splendid walk, with much to enjoy of the Peak District at its best.
'C' Walk - Leader - Jane Taylor. Distance - 5.4 miles. Asc - 556 ft. Grade - Moderate.+ Anticlockwise.
I am sure that you are all familiar with Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District so it needs little introduction. The town dates right back to Anglo-Saxon times and it is a popular place for a visit or as a base for exploring the surrounding peaks. For our C walk today we will do a little bit of both. I have graded it as “moderate plus” as there are a few ups and downs and some mud to encounter, particularly through woods where we must also take care with walking over exposed tree routes and again along a short stretch close to the River Wye. Walking poles and sturdy boots are recommended.
The coach will park up for the day at the Agricultural Centre from where we cross the River Wye into the town. Following our customary refreshments at the Granby Café we head off in a southerly direction, over Rutland Recreation Ground and away from the town. We cross the A6 into Intake Lane and have a fairly steep climb up to higher ground, through Burton Ashes Wood, down to a footbridge then back up again to where the views of the surrounding area really open up. Hopefully we will have good weather and can appreciate the display of colour as the
Autumn leaves turn red, gold and brown.
We will also get a good view of Haddon Hall on our left as we descend back down towards the A6 again. We don’t pass through any villages with the usual facilities today. Instead, our lunch stop will be upon a pile of stones, not great but enough to rest upon.
Lunch over and down at the main road we cross near the entrance to Haddon Hall then turn left to walk along the footpath for a while until we reach a small gap in the wall which we mustn’t miss. The track leads us round the perimeter of Haddon Park, close to the river and a muddy and potentially slippery stretch, then gradually up to join the end of the 
Monsal Trail taking us back to Bakewell.
The end of our walk takes us back past the Agricultural Centre so we can change out of our muddy boots and leave our rucksacks behind before walking over the river again to spend a while in the town and all that it has to offer.
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