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  The Dark Peak 4 County Tops                                 The Peak

Black Chew Head (Greater Manchester county top) with Holme Moss transmitter on the skyline
© Copyright Karl S and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Dark Peak is the only upland area in the UK that can boast as many as four county tops all of which can be readily encompassed within a single run. The circuit linking them together was devised to mark the first anniversary of the extended right to roam in the Peak which came about as the result of the 2000 CROW Act.  The start is located at Hayfield's Bowden Bridge car park under the plaque which marks the Kinder Mass Trespass of 1932, the first milestone in the long road to freedom of access which can now be rightfully enjoyed throughout this route.


The original route was devised Tony Wimbush and completed in 2005 as a solo, self-supported run in 10 hours 23 minutes. Since then Alan Yates has devised a DPFR version starting from the Strines Inn in the east.  Over in the west Steve Leach (Rolls-Royce Harriers) extended the original concept by including the county tops of Cheshire and Staffordshire to create a Six County Tops - a linear route from from Fairholmes to Axe Edge - see the index on the left. Another variation would be to bag the original 4 tops in a shorter linear run from Edale to Crowden.

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Route

The start and finish is at Hayfield's Bowden Bridge Car Park (GR 049869) under the plaque dedicated to the 1932 Kinder Trespass. The inaugural route linked together the 4 county tops going via the Snake Inn, Alport Castles and Snake Top to maintain high ground but these points are optional; an alternative start my also be used.  

Schedule

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Click on icon to view/print the 10-23  schedule for the inaugural run

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Finishers

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This is an informal challenge without registrations or time limits. Why not report your experience on facebook to encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

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Links and Further Information

 

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Dark Peak County Tops

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Wicklow  Round
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Links & Articles

Sub-ultras (under 50 km)

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COMPLETIONS

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Where there is a recorder please contact them to log your completion. In addition, or if there isn't a recorder, you are invited to share your experience on the gofar facebook page to encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

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SAFETY WARNING

 

All the routes on this site require proven mountain running experience. You undertake them entirely at your own risk. Please take full mountain safety precautions at all times.  Always ensure you carry sufficient clothing, food and equipment to cope with dramatic changes in the weather conditions!  Appropriate insurance cover is recommended.

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HAVE A GO!

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The object of this website is to provide a single, ready source of information on the ultra-distance mountain challenges which have been developed over the past four or more decades. It now offers a diverse range of long and "short", old and recent, formal and informal routes from around the UK to encourage runners of all ages and abilities to have a go, subject to proven mountain experience in all conditions.

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FRA LONG DISTANCE

RECORDS and NEWS

 

Please send details of any record-breaking runs and the like to Martin Stone who maintains records on behalf of the Fell Runners Association. Email:  martin.stone@sportident.co.uk

Please also refer to the guidelines and definitions in the FRA Handbook.

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HELP WANTED

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If you can improve on the accuracy of this resource, spot any errors in grid references, names, heights, spelling or punctuation, or find a link which does not work please email Tony Wimbush.: gofar99@gmail.com

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Similarly, if you wish to submit any new (or old) routes for inclusion see the contact page for the information and format that is required:. 

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