A fantastic and unique walking experience. You will explore some of the wildest parts of the Peak District National Park and learn about some of the aviation history influenced by this unique landscape. • Discover hidden aviation secrets in the Peak Districts wildest landscapes • Experience and learn about the area’s nature and conservation with your guide • Also available as a private group booking - contact us to discuss or see our bespoke tour listing.
This walk takes you up a lovely but little visited ridge onto the second highest mountain in the Peak District, Bleaklow. We set off from Old Glossop along the route of an old roman road. Soon we leave the main path and gradually climb up an easy track until which reach Dog Rock providing some fantastic views. The path becomes much smaller and almost indistinct now as we head across the notoriously difficult to navigate Bleaklow. Having an experienced guide with you means there’s no need to worry! As we continue over Bleaklow the route will be a little rougher in places. There will be great opportunities here to teach you a little about this special and important ecosystem on this the second highest mountain in the Peaks and the location of some of its wildest countryside. If you have an interest in navigation your guide will happily share some skills and you could even try navigating the group across a section of the notoriously complex Bleaklow moor!
After a total climb of around 350m (1200ft) we reach the “kissing stones”, a good spot for some lunch. From here we head over to the site of the B29 Superfortress plane crash (sadly all 13 crew members died). The plane was on a short journey from Lincolnshire to Burtonwood near Warrington when it hit the top of the hill in low cloud. This crash site is an extensive area of wreckage from the USAF Boeing B-29 Superfortress nick-named “Over Exposed” which crashed on November 3rd 1948. This plane is famous for having filmed the first two Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests in July 1946 and it's involvement in relieving the West Berlin Blockade in 1948.
To finish the walk we will take a route passing the crash site of a Lancaster Bomber Mk.X. This crash site and memorial to a Canadian Lancaster Bomber is about a mile away from the B-29 crash site. From here we will continue down the ridge with great views back down to Old Glossop.
The walk is mostly on a mixture of good tracks and smaller footpaths which can be rough in places and includes 1 fairly long hill. The hill up to Bleaklow is a steady climb of about 350m (1200ft). At any time of year there are likely to be some muddy sections, especially once we start to head up towards Bleaklow with it's peat bogs and we will be leaving the paths for about 1km across rougher ground as we head to the crash site. There is a fairly long gradual descent back down to Glossop.

Itinerary

The walk is on a mixture or good tracks and then mostly smaller rougher paths. At any time of year there are likely to be some wet and muddy sections, especially on Bleaklow and Kinder Scout with their peat bogs. As, at times we will be leaving the paths and walking across rougher ground as we head to the crash sites, walking boots providing ankle support and keeping your feet dry are strongly recommended. There is one long hill with a climb of around 350m / 1200ft and a similar descent. These are fairly steep in places. The total walk is around 14km / 9miles.
For private bookings this can be extended by including additional crash sites to provide walks of between 14km / 9miles and a challenging 25km / 15miles. Half day walks from around 8km / 5 miles area also available as private group walks. There are also a number of locations where we could start bespoke walks from. Please contact us directly to discuss private bespoke bookings or look at our "Crash Site Walking Tour - Bespoke Private Group" listing.
National Park Experiences is a curated collection that brings the stories of our National Parks to life. Each experience offers an authentic insight into the landscape and special qualities of a National Park.
All our events are approved as "Good to Go" Covid-secure by Visit England.
Please note: All group walks require a minimum of 2 people booked to go ahead. If by chance you are booking for 1 person and nobody else books then you would be offered the choice of a full refund or to switch to an alternative date.
If you'd like to discuss the walk or other activities before booking please contact us.
Thanks, Paul Smith, myGuidedWalks.