Getting active and outdoorsy in Castleton

Castleton is a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside and the Great outdoors. It sits nestled in the Hope valley with surrounding hillsides lying temptingly close by. Unable to resist the lure of great views and rewarding exercise, we headed into the hills for fresh air. With wet weather forecast and winds that made it difficult to stand up in, we walked from the site, through Castleton, past signs to popular caverns and up the broken road (damaged years ago by a landslide), continuing up to the top of Mam Tor. As we were battered around by the howling winds at the top, the girls clung to the Trig point. We passed pleasantries with a few other walkers before continuing down back through Castleton to the site. It was a rewarding first day.

 

On another day, Amy and Tim headed off on their bikes. They cycled a similar route to the one we had walked as a family, spending time playing around on the broken road. We have always stuck to cycle routes, muddy paths and roads in the past so Amy loved the opportunity and challenge of cycling up a hillside and along the wide ridge at the top, looking down on the valleys on either side.

 

Amy and Tim also spent a day in the next valley of Edale. Leaving the motorhome behind, they cycled to Hope station, caught a train to Edale and then cycled a further three miles to Crowden Clough. They locked up the bikes and climbed up the gorge (that was bursting with water after all the recent rainfall) to the top before running down the nearby trail in time for the hourly returning train as darkness began to descend. It was an invigorating day out that they both loved. A bit of adventure in the outdoors does the body and mind a world of good.