Upper Midhope via Sugden Clough, Lost Lad and Mickleden Edge

Upper Midhope, Langsett, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Sunday, 20 September, 2009
Route 5

A circular walk from Upper Midhope, Langsett, by way of Fenny Common, Sugden Clough, Lost Lad, Mickleden Edge and North America.

Information

Distance (km): 
11.15 km
Distance (miles): 
6.93 miles
Elevation (start point): 
279 metres
Latitude (start point): 
53.492
Longitude (start point): 
-1.67901
OS Grid Ref (start point): 
SK 21394 99526
Nearest Post Code: 
S36 4GX
Car parking: 
Langsett: Thickwoods Lane, Upper Midhope
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Details

Route notes 

Following the path along Sugden Clough I was for a while unaware of the existence, just a few metres away, of a 'super highway' over Midhope Moors. I am appalled at the damage done to this beautiful moor by vehicular traffic presumably servicing the lines of grouse butts.

Natural England have also expressed concern in this report:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest, SSSI unit information, Dark Peak - Unit 90

"A route used by argocats which has created a track alongside the butts next to Sugden Clough has become wider in recent years, due to heavier use mainly due to loads being carried to repair butts. This needs to be restored using some brash, and through lighter use." - Natural England.

Route summary 

This walk uses the access point at Thickwoods Lane, follows Thickwoods Brook to Range Moor and Range Moor Top where it is well worth spending a little time exploring the old tank tracks and targets.

Take the western track which descends to cross Sugden Clough and then climbs in a south-westerly direction passing one of the disused tank targets before arriving at the shooting cabin on the western edge of Sugden Clough.

I would recommend spending a little time exploring the clough just below the shooting cabin where a path leads down very steep steps to Sugden Brook, an idyllic setting and easily missed.

The walk continues on a path along the eastern boundary of the shooting cabin and continues to follow the west bank of Sugden Clough. Splendid views of Pike Lowe are now available.

Several paths cross Sugden Clough leading to the many grouse butts on Brown Edge but the walk ignores these and continues along Sugden Clough, all the time climbing, eventually arriving at Sugden Top.

From Sugden Top it is only a short walk following the track that services the grouse butts. The track descends steeply to join the Cut Gate path at the southerly end of Mickleden Edge.

Follow the path in a northerly direction along Mickleden Edge until the path forks at a green footpath sign. Take the right hand path across Stanny Common to North America and back onto Thickwoods Lane.