The fettling and pitching work on the Mount Famine track in the Peak District is still rumbling on. It was meant to be finished a couple of months ago but the contractors are still working on the stone pitching at Roych Clough. Still, can’t complain too much – the only reason it’s taking longer than anticipated is because mountain bikers insisted on stone pitching rather than gravel…

Finished or not, the trail will re-open at the end of October as that’s when the TRO on the track runs out – it can’t be extended any more. It looks likely that the section of the track with vehicular rights (from Rushup Edge to Beet Lane) will be open at the beginning of September. Work on the rest of the trail (South Head, Mount Famine, Ashes Bank and Coldwell Clough) will continue after that date but according the the local council it’s not necessary to enforce a closure as bikes and walkers aren’t a problem.

Our spies tell us that the whole trail is rideable, though. But it is still officially closed, so you ain’t seen us, right?

Over the other side of the Kinder plateau there’s another Peak trail closure – the “Shooting Cabins” bridleway on Middle Moor features a
bridge over a peaty boggy bit that’s apparently “given way”, so the trail is closed until 8 September while it’s replaced. So you might want to avoid that stretch too.