We visited Eccles Pike a few weeks ago but I've only just got around to writing a post about it. We set out towards Leek and across the Roaches to Buxton then taking the A5004 towards Whaley Bridge. This road is also called Long Hill - and it certainly is! We turned just before Whaley Bridge towards Chapel-en-le-Frith and the little road up to Eccles Pike is off this road.
This is Combs Reservoir from the small car park at the foot of Eccles Pike. The hill in the background is Combs Moss. Castle Naze an ancient iron age Hill Fort lies to the far left of the hill.
Eccles Pike is cared for by the National Trust and it is free to walk to the summit - it isn't a long climb up and only takes about 5 minutes from the roadside.
We made friends with an old farm cat who came to see what we were doing sitting on the little bench near the gate - well we were eating our lunchtime picnic and he was more interested in that than us!
The views from the top are amazing even in the fine 'mizzle' that surrounded and dampened us.
Near the top and we can just see the topograph which gives a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding countryside.
It is made of bronze and was cast by Ted McAvoy of local firm Leander Architectural, in nearby Dove Holes, using motifs desgined by the children of Chaple-en-le-Frith Infants School
From the summit, on a clear day you can see the Peak District to the East and Manchester to the North as well as views across Cheshire and out towards Wales.
The name Pike means 'pointed hill' but no one knows why the hill was called Eccles - except that it may be something to do with Eccles near Manchester famous for its little currant cakes which, when we were children, were always called 'dead fly' cakes - much like Garibaldis were always 'dead fly' biscuits.
A last look at the views and then it was time to go back towards the car, this times we headed towards the wooded area at the base of the hill. It looked so inviting!
The Eccles Pike Fell Race, apparently one of the oldest established fell races in the country is held in August and as I write this post I've just found out that it is happening today Wednesday 19th August at 7.30p.m.
Beautiful scenery Rosie ~ thanks for sharing your walk.
ReplyDeleteMarie x
After Norfolk, I am very any hill, even a slight incline hard to tackle!! I love big hills with fabulous rewarding views. Great to see you out and about again after the marathon decorating stint!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like such a lovely place to visit and reminds me of one of a favourite tv series, "All Creatures Great and Small". My mother used to make these little currant cakes that were almost like a pancake and she cooked them in a frying pan - delicious!
ReplyDeleteGillian
Hi Rosie, The views of your trip are breathtaking. Thanks for allowing me to tag along on your wonderful journey...
ReplyDeletebe Well, be Happy :D
Thanks for another great afternoon!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful views, Rosie. It must have been a very clear day (I know that's not always the case in England, jsut as it is in Holl.!) Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteFabulous view...how would this view be in a thunderstorm..amazing I guess...how is the weather in your garden..we are having the hottest day of the year in ours...:)
ReplyDeleteLovely walk, although the cat might have given Edward a little too much to think about!
ReplyDeleteSeeing all that green English countryside sure does make me wistful for my homeland, but I enjoyed the "walk" and the beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteStrange that you should mention Eccles cakes.... I was thinking earlier this week that it's been a long time since I made them and I really should make them again... soon!