Ramshaw Rocks - 3 mile run at dawn in the Peak District, Leek, Staffordshire

Today we are near Leek in Staffordshire in the Peak District for a run up to Ramshaw Rocks at dawn. It was an absolutely beautiful January morning -3 C with a hard frost and a stunning clear blue sky. The route take us first through Black Brook Nature reserve and then up onto the ridge at Ramshaw Rocks. The gritstone rock has been carved into amazing shape by the wind and rain, a popular attraction is the Winking Man a rock in the shape of a head, it looked like he was wearing a porkpie hat to me, I didn’t notice him winking at me though. It’s not too long at 3 miles and can be shortened to 2 miles by omitting the Black Brook Loop. You could make it longer by doing both Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches. It was frozen hard on my visit, but I can imagine it gets pretty boggy in places so make sure you’re wearing appropriate footwear, the ridge was quite technical and I’m not that brave so it was slower going for running but worth it for the views, like wow, a sunrise I won’t forget anytime soon.

The Route

From the parking spot head down the hill then take the footpath on the right. This heads down someones driveway and through their back yard, take the gate straight on (not the other that just goes into the field). Continue up the track then turn left around the back of the house and up the bank onto Black Brook Nature reserve. Head up the rough track to the ridge line and turn right and follow it back to Hazel Barrow Lane where we parked. Cross the road and take the path, head across the moor up to the ridge then turn right and follow it along the ridge over Ramshaw Rocks  until you reach the road at the far end. Turn right down the lane (Back of the Rocks) which will bring you back to the starting point.