Goyt Valley Challenge
Oct 9th 2016

TR  = turn right                        TL = turn left
FP = footpath               TK = track

Short Route (13. miles)

Leg 1. Start on Green Lane (200m south of the Burbage Institute). After 400m turn right (170 Degrees) onto TK; climb up through Buxton Country Park, pass sign to Solomon's Temple, 300m, TL (129 degrees) for 300m; TR uphill due South to gate in wall, continue on small paths South to Solomon's Temple. Drop your numbered disc in the bucket drop - SK053717.

At Solomon's Temple TR and head west for 270 metres (277 degrees) (flagged section) to gap in wall; TR 250m at 280 degrees to gate in wall. TL on FP, through gate after 70m; continue across open ground following grassy bank for 420m at 286 degrees to meet tarmac road; TL for 200m to the road crossing at SK 043 718. Continue south on TK for 450m towards Anthony Hill. Keep wall to disused reservoir on your right for 180m. Just after a small bridge TR onto grass TK (200 degrees) for 700m. Look for RT onto small path 140m across a small stream and enter conifer forest (dangerous woods!) at stile (SK146 703). Follow gravel FP through woods for 90m and TL on reaching paved TK. After 135m, TR onto uphill TK keeping Turncliff buildings to your right, go straight ahead and cross stile (265m) and then steep uphill through woods to road (300m).  Cross road and enter Leap Edge moorland. There is no clear path, so bear right for 220m at 256 degrees slightly uphill, then 270m at 225 degrees arriving at the bottom of the hill where a cattle track goes uphill towards the gate and Checkpoint 1 at SK038 695. (4 miles)

Leg 2. Continue uphill on tarmac lane to main A53 road. Cross road with care. Beware of fast moving traffic.  Enter disused section of the A53 road behind a mound. After 100m take stile on your left and continue on TK uphill for 300m. TL onto tarmac road for 500m with new fencing to the right. On nearing Dane Head, 100m after brow of hill, TR through gate, (SK 028 703), onto small path (heading 320 degrees), or main gate (70m further on), to join good grassy track going north over Axe Edge. On reaching stony track after 700m bear R, still going northwards. After a further 400m cross A54 road with care. Beware of fast moving traffic at SK 029 713.

Take grassy path, over stile and continue along the ridge for 900m. At stile TL on TK; after 30m, TR over stile, heading north. After 400m path curves left by short wooden post. Follow it, pass signpost, “Berry Clough”, and begin descent on rough stony FP through Clough for approx 1km to the River Goyt. Do not cross wooden footbridge but TR at signpost on small FP for 600m through bracken, (take care on dodgy boards in this section). At path fork look for GVC sign left to zig-zag down to the old packhorse bridge (SK 013 732) which has inspired the GVC logo. Cross bridge, TR and go up to road. After 200m, at finger post “Riverside Walk”, TR down steps and then go north following  the river path for 600m to road. Cross over and go round locked gate opposite to take FP for 600m to signpost at path junction. TR and descend 150m to the Errwood Hall Car Park, checkpoint 2. (Grid Ref SK 012 748) 8.5 miles completed.

Leg 3. Proceed north along road, reservoir on your right, (footpath available on left at times). In 800m go through double gates and shortly curve right, (signpost “Fernilee Reservoir”), following road across dam. At end of dam do not enter Sailing Club but follow road left to finger post at  SK 017 758, where you meet the long route again (on its leg 5) as it comes up at the end of the Errwood Reservoir.

go uphill on the road for 400 metres, then TR at FP sign (SK019757) on FP to the east of Bunsall Cob. Continue 700m straight ahead on this FP, (do not take lower path below wall), through pine woods and pastures to reach FP sign at path junction (SK015747).TL, (but do not take leftmost track that ascends), taking level right-hand TK on 150 degrees to Wildmoorstone Brook self check C by the footbridge (SK 021 747).

Head back 30 degrees to cross two sets of duckboards. After 250m leave stony track to fork L steeply uphill away from clough which is to your right.  Go 400m uphill to Checkpoint 5  on Goyt's Lane SK023751. 21.9 miles completed.

Leg 6 Take the old railway line going south-east (155 degrees), for 1.7km until just before closed tunnel at FP sign TR uphill for 340m at 101 degrees over Burbage Edge. Keep to FP as it swings right  over boggy ground 250m to stile in wall (SK034740). After stile descend on FP  and then steeply through woods to metalled road, Bishop's Lane, TR and take road  1.2kms to Event HQ.

Congratulations on completing the Goyt Valley Challenge.