Get Lost Mountaineering

Cown Edge & Coombes Edge from top of Monks Road

Start/Finish

Casual gravel verge (about SK 022 922) on the top of Monk's Road which connects the A626 at Charlesworth (south west of Glossop on the Marple road) with the A624 Glossop to Hayfield road (runs due south from Glossop) which it meets almost at its summit, 322 m.

Distance/Time

3 km.    About 1 – 2 hours

Peaks

No peaks as this walk essentially follows two edges and is fairly level.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak.    OS 110 (1:50 000).

Introduction

This is a pleasant walk ideal for a short winter's day. This walk follows tow edges and with very little in the way of ascent and descent. There are paths virtually all the way. On a clear day, there are excellent views to Mill Hill, Kinder, South Head, Lantern Pike and Higher Shelf Stones. There are quite a few drops on the edge so care is needed although it is easy to stay well clear of the actual edge.

Route

(1) From the rough lay by, walk down hill, towards Charlesworth, for a short distance to reach a narrow gate which gives access to the walk. Walk towards the obvious wood and go round on its left hand side to reach the start of Cown Edge which has been extensively quarried. Follow the path along the edge, roughly south east, with plenty of scoops and hollows to explore if you wish. After about 1 km, reach an obvious track which crosses the rdieg and has come up from Monks Road near Plainsteads Farm. Turn right onto the track and cross the ridge to reach a gate.

(2) Turn right at the gate so you are, in effect, doubling back but on the opposite side of the ridge. Follow the path which soon reaches they start of Coombes Edge close to a wood. The only really noticeable ascent is on this section. The path above the edge is squeezed between the edge and the wood after which there is a gap then a second wood. When the ridge turns west, continue ahead to find the access gate used at the start of the walk.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 12^th December, 2019.