Carsington and Middleton Top Walk

On the 21st Novemeber we did out next training walk for isle of Wight Challenge 2016. We took ourselves off to Carsington Water to do a bigger walk I found - Map.

This walk is 21km so shorter than last month however it included a big climb up to Middleton Top and a nice descent back into Carsington. The morning on the walk we woke up to a nice little covering of snow. It had been forecast but we didn't think it would actually arrive. But in Ilkeston it was just a little covering, nothing major.

So we set off to Carsington and soon realised that short distance into Derbyshire the snow had been falling a little bit heavier.

Carsington Water

We set off on the walk from the Carsinton Water visitor centre where we've done previous walks from. The route took us 3/4 of the way around the reservoir before we left the path. At this point it was a nice climb over a couple of fields in ankle deep snow. You work you way towards Wirksworth with some really good views. 

From here you make your way towards the National Snow Centre near Cromford. At this point it's once again up hill to join the High Peak Trail. We had already had a few inclines along the walk but this was a main one! The climb to Middleton Top.

Middleton Incline!

Middleton Top Visitor Centre.

Once at the top it was a great feeling knowing we had done the biggest hill on the walk and something we wouldn't have to do on the Isle of Wight Challenge. The cold winds and snow made it a nice challenge and we all dug in deep to get through it. From here we walked along the High Peak Trail with another couple of inclines towards Hopton. This is when we left the trail and headed across a deep snow covered field (Carsington Pasture). 

Ilson Glowsticks in Trainingwith Carsington Water behind us.

Once over these fields it was a "simple" little descent back into Carsinton for a bite to eat and 3km walk back to the car.

Please notice the "simple"!!!

This little descent was far from simple, it was great fun in my eyes but others in the group took a few slips and stumbles as it was very steep and slippery with the melting snow on the grass.

The walk was really good and easy to follow, it was a really nice addition to the usual Carsington Water loop. I would definately recomend this walk if you're capable of walking 20+km and can cope with some good hills. I can't wait to go back in Summer and do the walk again to see how different it looks without all the snow.

Again some hard work went into the walk and people deserve sponsoring.

Lauren - Cancer Research UK

Danny - Crohn's and Colitis UK