What we’re about
Welcome to West Yorkshire 25s-45s Hiking Group. We are a friendly group of people from across the county and surrounding areas, hosting walks, trips away and social events. The group is accessible to people of all fitness levels. Our walks vary in difficulty ranging from a walk around reservoirs to the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
We also do weekend & week trips. We are looking at organising trips abroad in the future. These trips can vary from staying in a B&B to wild camping.
Group Rules
- Everyone must have a recent photo of themselves as their profile picture.
- Let the walk/event leader know in advance you can no longer attend. Please have the courtesy to do so in good time.
- Zero tolerance for discrimination of any type.
- No advertising.
- Make everyone feel welcome.
- All members are accountable for their own safety and wellbeing. Ensure you come with the necessary clothing and footwear for the conditions.
Difficulty Scale
We mark our walks with a difficulty scale so you can judge if you are fit enough for the walk. Please bear in mind the difficulty of a walk comes down to a person's own personal fitness and how steady they are on their feet on rough terrain. The conditions can also factor and would not be known until the day, such as boggy terrain. If not sure, check the walks itinerary or ask the walks leader for confirmation.
Easy - Short flat walk or minimal overall ascent. Less than 7.5 miles in length and less than 300 metres of ascent.
Moderate = Moderate distance and/or small to medium amount of ascent. 7.5 miles - 12 miles and/or 300 - 599 metres of ascent.
Hard = Long distance hikes and/or a lot of ascent. 12 - 20 miles and/or 600 - 999 metres of ascent.
Strenuous = Challenge walk distances and/or proper mountain height amount of ascent. 20+ miles or more and/or 1,000+ metres of ascent.
Technical = Any walk which requires exposed ridge walking (Crib Goch, Striding Edge), scrambling, ice pick, torch or anything extra required.
FAQs
I do not live in West Yorkshire. Can I join the group?
Yes! Anyone is welcome to join the group.
Do I have to leave the group when I reach the age limit?
Of course not! Stay for as long as you feel comfortable.
I have paid for the walk but I now cannot attend, can I get a refund?
No. We have a no refund policy. The money will go towards future group events and charities.
How do I become a leader and host walks?
Send me (Jamie) a message and I will make you an organiser.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Loop - Hike + Chatsworth House, Gardens & Christmas Market - 10.5mi/17kmNeeds location
Putting this up to gauge interest. Please don't buy a ticket until I confirm it is going ahead. Please comment if interested in joining for the house, gardens & market so I know if worth bothering with that part or just doing the hike.
Join us for a hike in the Peak District and if you wish a walk through Chatsworth House and its impressive array of different gardens and a look around their Christmas Markets.
If joining for the house, gardens and markets then tickets must be booked in advance and cost £32 - https://www.chatsworth.org/events/christmas/
Start Time: 9:45am
Miles/Kilometres: 10.5mi/17km (Approx) - not including house & gardens
Total ascent: 400m (Approx) - not including house & gardens
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated length of time: Hike will take approx 5 hours (including a lunch break)
Dogs Allowed: Yes on the hike and in the gardens. They must be on a lead at all times when on Chatsworth House grounds as there is wildlife and sheep. Dogs are not allowed in the house.
Public Transport: No, not from West Yorkshire, happy to give people a lift from Huddersfield or any train station in the Holme Valley.
Parking: Parking is included in your ticket. If only joining for the hike it may be better to park in Baslow village, there's a pay & display car park with toilet facilities. Can wait for us there.
Payment: £1 - Use this link to pay: https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamiepope1 - please put "Chatsworth" as reference.Itinerary
Due to it likely being busy and parking being moved due to the Christmas Markets, meet at the bottom of the steps of Queen Mary's Bower.
We start by following the Derwent Valley Heritage Way away from the house, across the grounds to Baslow village. We cut through the village and take a gradual ascent up a farm road to Eagle Stone (a rock that looks like an Eagle(?)) and then along the clifftops of Baslow Edge until we reach a main road which we cross.
We then continue along Curbar Edge for views across the village of Curbar before cutting in and heading to a trig point. We head across the moors back to the road we crossed earlier but at a different point. Walk down the road slightly to a crossroad. Cross the road and then follow a path around the crest of the hill to then walk along Gardom's Edge before again cutting inwards away from the clifftops.
We come across another trig point and then walk along to Birchen Edge clifftops which includes a weird monument called Nelson's Monument (perhaps a monument to Lord Nelson beating Napolean at the Battle of Trafalgar(?)). We come out at Robin Hood Farm/Pub and walk down the road slightly, crossing over to then follow a path into the upper part of Chatsworth House's grounds.
We follow the path until it joins one of the grounds roads. We follow the road until we come across a tower that I believe was where the ladies would congregate to watch the gentlemen hunting. We then descend down to Chatsworth House. For anyone that came only for the hike, feel free to go back to your car and head home.
The rest of us will go into the house (anyone who has brought dogs will have to enter via the garden entrance and wait outside the souvenir shop or explore the gardens without those that entered the house). Look around the house which should be decorated with Christmas decorations, we then exit out through the souvenir shop into the gardens. The gardens will have a lights trail to follow so hopefully it will be dark enough by now for this to be good. We can then explore the gardens for as long as we wish, they close at 5pm. Then head out and explore the Christmas markets before heading home.
Disclaimers
The walk organisers do not have training or insurance. Therefore, anyone who joins the walk is accountable for their own safety and anyone they bring with them. By signing up you accept this.
Check the weather (on multiple websites) before leaving your residence. Bring clothing & footwear suitable for the forecast. We advise you to bring walking boots for any medium or harder walk. Trainers are only recommended for easy walks. Bring a coat just in case (this is Britain after all...) and extra layers if it is going to be cold.
All proceeds go towards equipment for leading walks, group events & trips. A percentage will go to charities.
Bring a packed lunch and snacks. Bring enough food & water to last the estimated time.
We recommend bringing some cash just in case. Especially if parking. Not everywhere is contactless yet.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the walks organiser.