Kinder Downfall to Hayfield Circular Peak District Walk

 

Walk Details

Kinder Downfall from Hayfield, circular route, see it here.

• Hard/challenging
• 14.6km / 9 miles
• 695m
• 7.26 Hours

We leave work, and in less than an hour we’re pulling up at  Hayfield Campsite in the High Peak.  I’ve been wanting to walk Kinder Scout since reading a friends blog article about it the year before, though last time we were in the region visiting Mam Tor, the weather was horrendous with extremely low visibility, so I’m hoping the forecast weather holds.

We arrive at the campsite to find my daughter and her boyfriend are already there and pitched. Our pitch is right beside them, and with our reduced weekend camping set up, I’m ready to relax with a G&T about 45 minutes later. We make dinner and then sit together looking at the stars and full moon, listening to owls hoot, discussing the route we’re going to take tomorrow.

Heading to Bowden Bridge carpark across the road from Hayfield campsite

We wake up early on Saturday to a bright, sunny day. I set about getting breakfast on the go for the 4 of us, then we set about packing our backpacks ready for the days walk. I’d chosen the campsite due to it’s proximity to the start of the walking route we planned to follow, and after a hearty breakfast and checking we’ve all got water and supplies for the day, we set off.

Leaving the campsite we walk across the road to the starting point of the walk, where we pause to look at the sign commemorating the Mass Trespass of 1932, when walkers joined forces to defend their right to ramble.

We check the route again, set our various GPS tracking devices and head off towards the first section of the walk that takes us up past Kinder Reservoir.

The first part of the walk leading to Kinder Reservoir

As we walk, the sun climbs higher and as we start to gain height and our pace slows, more of the stunning landscape reveals itself, providing some stunning photo opportunities.

The first climb, with Kinder Reservoir on our right

The view over the wall as we start to gain height

 

Higher up now, we have a clear view of Kinder Reservoir

Green algae in the water

The far end of the reservoir, with Kinder Downfall clearly visible

We take frequent stops, mainly to take photographs and catch our breath. Once we clear the reservoir the terrain starts to change, and heather lines the path towards the next climb which takes us up the side of Grinds Brook, and the terrain starts to get rocky as we walk via William Clough to reach the plateau of Kinder Scout.

The view back down to the reservoir

A cairn up on the Kinder Scout plateau

The rocks around Kinder Downfall

The weather remains on our side, and we stop when we reach Kinder Downfall for a long lunch.

Red Brook, and more stunning photo opportunities

Daughter Shammie and her boyfriend Josh

One of the reasons why our walks always take so long – stopping at every opportunity to take photos!

Probably the coolest picture I took on the walk

High up at the Kinder Scout Trig point

Another stop to check the final party of the route

We take a wrong turn, and end up having to check the GPS to make sure we can find our way back down into Hayfield.

We make it back to Hayfield and make a beeline for the Sportsman Inn where we enjoy an enormous meal. The food is excellent and after over 6 hours of walking, we’re delighted to get a proper breather before making our way back to the campsite for a well earned shower.

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Field Test – Olixar Power Up Kit 2500mAh

What we tested

Olixar Power Up Kit 2500mAh
£59.95
Buy it here

Kit includes

• Power Up Kit carry case
• Travel adaptor with 4 USB ports
• 2500mAh portable power bank
• 2 Retractable Lightning and Micro USB charge and sync cables
• UK, US, AU and EU plug adaptors

What did we think?

We took the Olixar Power Up Kit with us on a recent weekend camping trip which involved a full day of walking up on Kinder Scout. I kept my GPS switched on, on my smartphone, and was running various tracking & navigation apps, and also Pokemon Go in order to ensure my battery ran down before the end of the walk.

As well as coming with two retractable lightning and micro USB charge and sync cables, the device also a micro USB cable built in. Having this cable permanently attached, was really useful and it meant that whilst out walking, I could charge my phone without having to take anything else with me.

I did find that the integrated micro USB cable was a little bit fiddly to get out mind you, but it’s been designed to sit flush with the power bank which helps to maintain it’s sleek looks, so it really wasn’t much of an issue at all.

My phone was down to 18% when I plugged in the power bank and continued walking (keeping all of the battery intensive Apps running whilst charging). Under these conditions my phone did charge more slowly as you might expect, but a couple of hours later, at the end of our walk, my phone was up to 64% battery.

Once back at the campsite, I turned off all my battery draining apps and stuck my phone on flight mode leaving it in the tent whilst we went to grab a well earned bite to eat. I checked it again once we got back from the pub later, and my phone was up to 100% battery.

The following day, I used it again in the car on the way home, and it happily took my phone back up to 95% battery from 60% before it died.

The verdict

We loved the compact size of the device and the handy little carry case that the power up kit comes with, which makes taking it camping or away when traveling super easy as everything is already kept together. We also really like that fact that it comes with a range of different plugs, making it ideal for overseas travel.

Summary of The Best Bits

• Compact kit with handy carry case
• Great for travel with different world plugs included
• Charge multiple items at the same time
• Integrated micro USB
• Nice design and quality feel

I would have liked an improved battery indicator light for a better idea of how much power the device had left. That said, for the price, and considering the case and various plugs and cables you get with it, it’s well worth having and is ideal for traveling, hiking and camping; in fact ideal for any occasion when you won’t have access to mains power.

Thank you to Red 5 for supplying the featured product for us to test.

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The post Field Test – Olixar Power Up Kit 2500mAh appeared first on Camping With Style Travel & Adventure Blog.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/field-test-olixar-power-kit-2500mah/

Hayfield Camping and Caravanning Club Site, High Peak Review

The entrance to Hayfield campsite

Where did we stay?

Hayfield Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Kinder Road, Hayfield, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 2LE

• £6.45 to £10.95 pp/pn
• Members’ and non-members’ tents, trailers and motorhomes welcome, but no caravans
• Grass pitches
• Hardstanding with EHU
• Childrens play area
• Pets welcome
• Camping pods & ReadyCamp available at this site
• On site shop
• Last arrival time 8pm

Visit the website

Our visit

Friday 16th September 2016 – Sunday 18th September 2016

The river running along the side of the campsite

Campsite facilities

We arrived fairly late after work on Friday night, and check in was fast and friendly. In no time, we were being shown to our pitch, which was flat and spacious, nestled under trees. Having stayed at a Camping and Caravanning Club site before (read about their Eskdale Camping & Caravanning Club Campsite), we knew to expect good facilities, and at Hayfield, we were not disappointed.

The main reception and small campsite shop

The main facilities block with toilets, showers, washing up and chemical loo disposal point

Play area – the whole site was very family friendly, with lots of (well behaved!) kids running around

The pitches at the campsite are numbered, but the pitches were big and we were able to set up right next to the other members in our party who had arrived shortly before us with their own tent. We were located next to the backpackers barn and across from the ReadyCamp glamping tents shown below.

ReadyCamp glamping tents shown on the right

Our tent set up next to my daughter and her boyfriend

Looking down the camping field we were on

As well as small onsite camp shop, there were good facilities including a kids play park, laundry room, washing up area, chemical toilet disposal and spotlessly clean toilets and lovely warm showers, which after our long Kinder Scout walk on Saturday afternoon, I didn’t want to get out of!

The local area

The location was the number one reason we chose this campsite. We’d been wanting to walk Kinder Scout for a long time, and when we saw that the start point for the Kinder Downfall walk was right by the campsite, our decision was made! It really did make for the ideal base for walking in the region.

Bowden Bridge Carpark, the starting point for our Kinder Downfall walk was right opposite the campsite

Whilst the area is a mecca for walkers heading up Kinder Scout, the region is very scenic and has plenty of other things to offer over and above walking, including various show caves, like the highly recommended Blue John Cavern.

Taking a breather and admiring another great view, this time from Mam Tor

On the final day of our stay, after a relaxed Sunday morning breakfast and slow pack down, we headed to Mam Tor, a 20 minute drive away, for a second shorter walk before heading home.

• Great location for walkers with Kinder Scout, Lantern Pike & Jacobs Ladder accessible from the site.
• Hayfield village is a 10-15 minute stroll away with pubs and shops.
• A few minutes walk to the closest pub, The Sportsman, that does excellent food.
• Pretty riverside location.
• Close to the Chestnut Centre Conservation Park.
• Peveril Castle is a short drive away.
• Castleton is also accessible from the site, which is a fabulous town we love and home to the famous Blue John Cavern.

The location of the campsite is perfect for walking Kinder Scout

The verdict

For the walk we wanted to do, the campsite location was unbeatable, so if you are wanting to walk Kinder Scout, Hayfield Campsite really is the ideal choice.

Kinder reservoir very close to the campsite

A cairn up on Kinder Scout

The staff were friendly, as were the other campers, and we liked the flat, spacious pitches allowing for plenty of space between tents. The facilities were spotlessly clean and by 11pm the campsite was nice and quiet. We’d have no trouble highly recommending Hayfield Camping and Caravanning Club Site, and will definitely stay there again next time we visit the area.

See more pictures from our Kinder Downfall Walk on Flickr.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/hayfield-camping-caravanning-club-site-high-peak-review/

Royal Robbins Noe 3/4 Sleeve Tee Review

What I Tested

Royal Robbins Noe 3/4 Sleeve Tee – Dk Lapis
XS to XL sizes available
£50.00
Buy it here

Product Details

• Garment Washed
• Sweetheart Neckline
• Roll-up Sleeve tabs
• Pleated front detail
• Easy Sweep Hem

What I Thought

At the start of the summer I got my hands on this tee and since then, I’ve taken it to the South of France on holiday, I’ve worn it out walking, kayaking and climbing, so it’s had plenty of wear now!

First and foremost fit is always the most important factor I look for in my clothing, and the fit and styling of this tee is spot on. I’m a size 14 and went for the L and the slight stretch to the fabric made it the perfect fit for me.

When I’m traveling or out and about walking or climbing, I prefer a top that is cut slightly longer and covers my lower back fully, so I really liked the slightly longer length of this top, which I always find makes a top more practical for active use.

The tee has a relaxed but natural fit (Royal Robins refer to it as being ‘body skimming’), without being either too tight or too baggy. Importantly, I have found that the top has coped perfectly with every activity I’ve done it in.

It travels well, and after 27 hours rolled up in my suitcase on a recent camping holiday to France, it looked good straight out of my case, making it great for traveling and camping.

The Noe 3/4 sleeve tee also comes in purple, black and taupe colours.

The Verdict

Easy to wear, crease resistant and provides a flattering fit with a slightly longer line to it. I’ve worn it heaps over the summer and it washes well and still looks as good as new. At £50, it is pricey, but it is beautifully cut and supremely practical, so it gets the thumbs up from me.

Thanks to Royal Robbins for supplying the featured product for us to review.

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The post Royal Robbins Noe 3/4 Sleeve Tee Review appeared first on Camping With Style Travel & Adventure Blog.

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http://www.campingwithstyle.co.uk/royal-robbins-noe-34-sleeve-tee-review/