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Waterloo Inn to Edale

The view towards Millers Dale
Looking back towards Millers Dale

Today was a pretty easy day's walk, but it's definitely the calm before the storm because tomorrow I start the Pennine Way, which I'm planning to follow all the way to Scotland.

School Trip

The wide and grassy Limestone Way just north of the A623
The wide and grassy Limestone Way, just north of the less grassy A623

Today I got up later than usual, strolled gently and took my time, and it helped. I needed help because this morning I woke up in a totally miserable state, the loneliness of the long-distance walker hitting me in the pit of the stomach. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, being alone on this long haul gets to me, and this morning I felt utterly down.

Cave Dale and Peveril Castle
Cave Dale and Peveril Castle

Into Edale

The Vale of Edale from Hollins Cross
The Vale of Edale from Hollins Cross

From Castleton it's not far to Edale, but there's a big hurdle to cross in the form of Mam Tor, a long, high ridge that separates Castleton from the Vale of Edale. This is an area of amazing limestone caves – Blue John, Speedwell, Treak Cliff and Peak Caverns are all within spitting distance of the path – and the landscape is pretty impressive on the surface too. As a taster of things to come, the steady uphill climb to Hollins Cross over into Edale is a good reminder that from here things get harder and the views get ever more impressive.

Mam Tor from Hollins Cross
Mam Tor from Hollins Cross
Edale
Edale