Flash Circular from Cistern Clough

Peak District Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

An interesting walk from near Flash that includes the upper reaches of the Dove Valley, Axe Edge Moor, Three Shires Head and the Dane Valley, the village of Flash the highest in the UK, and the head of the Manifold Valley. The route uses moorland paths, tracks, and quiet country lanes to explore the varied scenery which is part of the Peak District National Park and Staffordshire Moorlands. The relevant OS 1:25k map is useful.

The start is a section of the old A53 now used as a layby at Cistern Clough (grid ref. SK034698). After parking walk up the path at the head of the clough soon joining a lane across Axe Edge Moor. Continue up the road for 500 metres ignoring the first track on the left with a wooden pole as a barrier. Exit left at the next path/track with a single stone marker post (grid ref. SK030702). The path soon bends left and descends to a gate in a wall (grid ref. SK026697). Head through the gate into Staffordshire and continue into a valley with a small stream on your left. The grassy path soon becomes a clearer track, crosses a cattle grid, and joins a tarmac access drive. Continue ahead, downhill, to reach a lane. Fork right (signed Blackclough Farm) and continue down a lovely narrow valley. Where the lane forks right uphill to Blackclough Farm, walk straight ahead, re-entering Derbyshire, to follow a stony track that continues down the valley to reach Three Shires Head (grid ref.SK009685). This attractive location with a packhorse bridge and small waterfalls, is where the Counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire meet.

After exploration, turn south across a small bridge over a stream. Do not cross the larger packhorse bridge. Continue with the River Dane below on your right to reach a gate (grid ref. SK008678). Once through the gate, fork left and follow the path which arcs left along the base of Turn Edge to reach a cottage. Continue along the track in front of the cottage which soon becomes a narrow tarmac lane. The lane arcs left, passes Hawk's Nest, and climbs up a narrowing valley to turn right (with a gated driveway on the left). At the next junction fork right initially downhill to a small footbridge on the right (grid ref. SK020681).

Cross the bridge and head uphill over Wolf Edge. After crossing several small fields, the route follows a track between walls to reach a wider track. Turn right and after 200 metres, bear slightly left and follow a grassy path across four more fields to re-join the track. Turn left into Flash Village. Continue ahead to pass the New Inn on your left to reach a junction and the church. Turn right onto a path (with fingerpost) in front of the church. The path soon turns left with the churchyard on your left, before turning right through a yard. Exit the yard at the far side and follow a track downhill through several fields. Where the track bends right, continue downhill to the busy A53.

Cross the A53 and take the track heading sharp left downhill (signed to Nield Bank). You are now following the Manifold Trail. Cross the infant River Manifold and head up to pass Nield Bank (a cottage) on your right. The route then heads north-east across an area of open access land to reach a road at Summerhill (grid ref. SK037674). Turn right and then immediately fork left past a Summerhill Farm. At the end of the last building on the left, turn left over a "stile" (top bar of fence removed with no fingerpost), cross a field to join a green lane. Continue to Lower Gamballs and bear left past the cottage to a lane. Turn right along the lane soon crossing the infant River Dove at Dove Head. Stay on the lane for a further two kilometres with improving view on the right which include Chrome Hill (Dragon's Back) and Parkhouse Hill.

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