Introduction
Was there ever a finer title to a blog?
This is a walk entirely in Staffordshire, but the most extreme northern tip of the county, adjacent its borders with Cheshire and Derbyshire.
It was due to rain later so I set off early this morning.
It turned out to be quite a sunny morning with a strong breeze. Later, it became more hazy, then cloudy as I completed the walk. It was raining as I arrived home.
It’s a 50 minute drive to Flash from Cheadle Hulme.
The walk is just 5.75 miles. Don’t be deceived though, this turned out to be quite a challenging walk, taking 3.25 hours to complete, plus 15 minutes for lunch. It’s hilly, having a total ascent of 1435 feet (440m).
This is a walk mainly over farmland, so not great for dogs to run off the lead.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.
I parked outside the New Inn at Flash, self-proclaimed highest village pub in England, postcode SK17 0SW. Sadly it wasn’t open on this Thursday lunchtime.
Flash To Flash Bottom
Heading west along the road, I was soon greeted by great views to The Cloud and Shutlingsloe.
As the road headed down I took to the fields on the right , where Axe Edge Green Farm had a pretty duck pond.
Another bird was soaring above me, the unmistakeable outline of a red kite. They are not often seen in our part of the world, so this one drifting across on the wind was a delight to see.
Continuing downhill, the landscape became softer.
I reached the stream at the bottom of the valley, and followed the sign towards Wildstone Rock. The first uphill section of the walk.
At Far Brook, the alpacas were very inquisitive.
After a short road section, the path dropped down steep steps before crossing a field.
Flash Bottom is one of those farms with all sorts of dilapidated buildings and equipment.
Flash Bottom To Thick Withins
After Flash Bottom, the route headed uphill across open access land. The path isn’t defined on the ground, and the ground is uneven and marshy in places. I was glad of the dry weather we’ve enjoyed.
I noticed sudden movement to my right, and was surprised to see a large herd of wild red deer running away from me, then stopping to assess my next moves! A fantastic sight.
After that tough uphill section, I was rewarded by views south to Axe Edge.
I crossed the A54; not too busy. Walking down the quiet lane to Pethills Farm, the view down the Manifold Valley is lovely.
At Smallshaw Farm, there was a ghostly donkey keeping watch!
The hillside was filled with vibrant yellow gorse as I looked ahead to Edgetop .
After Thick Withins, the path drops down to cross a brook, which is in fact the uppermost part of the River Manifold. Then the path heads up once again, to Edgetop.
Edgetop To Flash
The steep climb is absolutely worth it, giving great views up and down the valley.
Not to mention ahead to Chrome Hill.
My route now headed immediately back down the gorse-covered hillside.
This was a really difficult section, as the path just seemed to disappear, and the GPS map on the phone led me to continual thorny dead ends. It took a good half hour for me to battle through to Dun Cow’s Grove.
Looking back, I couldn’t see where I’d gone wrong.
I decided lunch was needed for the final ascent back to Flash. I stopped and sat on a wall at a lovely serene spot alongside Brand Plantation.
Moving on, en route to Blackbank, the grasses made wistful patterns as the wind blew across the field.
Beyond Blackbank, there was one last view to admire, back down the valley, before returning to Flash, and the disappointment of the pub being closed!
This was an enjoyable and challenging walk in a wonderful, unspoilt area of the Peak District. If you like the hills, and think you can master finding the route down from Edgetop, give it a go!
And Finally….
Well, it really had to be this, didn’t it?