Walk: Start/Finish Point Grid Ref : SK282908 20m from Junction of Loxley Road / New Road.
Distance: 11.5 Kilometers
Terrain: Well Signposted Path, small section of road,some short climbs, moor and woodland
Total Time: 4-5 Hours
OS Map: Explorer OL1, The Peak District, Dark Peak, East Sheet
Damflask & Agden Walk Damflask & Agden Walk Altitude Profile
September was a time for exploring walks less popular with walkers who frequent the more populated areas of the Peak District National Park but none the less still wonderful to experience. The Damflask & Agden walk take us around two dams that feed water to the City of Sheffield with the highest point of the route giving clear views of both Damflask and Agden, Sheffield and beyond to the east. Starting at Damflask it is a pleasant flat walk along the shore of the lake, passing sailing and rowing clubs who often are to be seen practising on the water. Damflask is the chosen training lake for several of the areas leading sailing and rowing teams. A sight that seems to project more enegy and activity than walking does!! The first village we come to is Low Bradfield, a neat village of stone houses arranged around a village cricket field, where on sundays one can spend a few minutes watching the game whilst eating an ice cream. There is also a village post office, something that may become a thing of the past, if government has it's way. A sad loss this would be, both to the community and walkers alike. The post office offers tea and cake and sandwiches as well as stamps, maps and books. From Low Bradfield it is a climb, up the well marked path, past the large house with the even larger dogs and onto High Bradfield. Whichever came first, High or Low, each of the Bradfields have particular attractions. Low has the cricket and the sense of community. High has the church and church yard, a wonderful place with many benches on which to sit and take in the views down the valley obtaining the full panoram of
Damflask, Agden & Strines Dams. Our trail continues through the church yard and into a wooded area where we descend to pastures new. Walking across the pastures is not exacting in so far as only ensuring that you reach the other end at the right point, which is Rocher Head. This a derelict farm in an idyllic setting and a good place to stop for lunch, sit awhile and enjoy the beauty to be found there. After a well earned rest we follow the lane up to the road, turning right down towards the entrance to Agden Dam. A wonderful walk, through woods, over streams and along good paths that skirt Agden dam. When one studies the craftsmenship displayed in the building of not only the dam but also the surrounding dry stone walls, at a time when there must have been hundreds if not thousands of workmen in the area creating these vast lakes, one is struck by what we may have lost in present day public works, both in quality and style. On exiting Agden dam path we once again walk down a road towards Low Bradfield. Traffic is less frequent in these parts, but care should still be taken on the roads. None the less a feeling of semi isolation is obtained when walking in these parts, it is rare to come across other walkers and it is almost as though you have found your own secret park in which to roam. Once in Low Bradfield, you may again obtain an ice cream and congratulate yourself on picking such a wonderful walk on such a lovely, typically English day. But all is not yet over. Returning towards Damflask this time we take the southern path that winds its way around the lake. This travels through woods and it must be shared with dog walkers, joggers and anglers, so tolerance and understanding all round is the order of the day, for at times the way forward is narrow. Eventually the path ejects you out on to the dam wall. A massive structure when viewed from the other side of the road, from there it is a short walk back to the starting point. Whilst an area of beauty it also has history and not a particluarly pleasant one. This valley is the scene of the worst peace time disaster on british land. Dale Dyke Dam further up the valley and part of the chain that contains Damflask and Agden, burst one night, sending millions of gallons of water rushing down the valley and sweeping everything and every one before it. The devastation strectched for miles and over 270 people lost their lives. If you wish to read more then the Sheffield Archives hold important and interesting documents which can be viewed online here
http://www2.shu.ac.uk/sfca/The designs for the Lake District Wapenmaps have just gone in to production and will be available in the next few weeks. In the next few days the designs for the Yorkshire Dales will also be put in to production.
Lightning speed helped Dave and Jinny Flint(aka, Cats-Eyes), to be first to hunt out the Geocache and claim the prize of a Damflask and Agden Wapenmap. Well done to you both and we look forward to seeing the photo's so don't forget to send them in. There will be a new cache later in October so don't forget to keep checking back.
Several new outlets will be displaying and selling the Wapenmaps later in the month. We will post details towards the middle of the month.
We have been fortunate to obtain a stand at the Ordnance Survey Outdoor Show which takes place at the NEC on 26-28 March 2010. We will post more details as we get nearer the date. Needless to say we are proud to be accepted in to this prestigious show and excited to be showing alongside such people as Ordnance Survey, Silva and National Trust. You will be able to find us on stand OU705 in Hall 1