This was only a short walk as I did it on the way back from a longer route. Probably 1.5 mile of it naked once I'd got off the cycle track and up the slope beyond the buildings. I'd have been visible walking on the hill side, but rather small and if someone wishes to use high magnification to study then they can hardly get upset by what they see!
https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/ecton-hill-staffordshire-moorlands
Unlike most of the places in Derbyshire that have guidebooks covering them and are quite busy (although Chrome Hill was relatively quiet, and spectacular), I found that just straying into Staffordshire seemed to produce many fewer people. This obviously makes it more comfortable for many for naturist walking.
Judging by the lack of people (2 got to the summit shortly before me from a different direction, but then headed away from me so I hung back a bit to avoid proximity), a much longer loop could be done without too much effort. It didn't look promising originally as car park was busy, but it was nearly all cyclists for the manifold trail.
I drew an approximate line of the route I took. Photo taken from the other side of the valley, although I wouldn't recommend that path. It was narrow, overgrown, and needed a certain amount of bovine persuation / shoving to get past. lol. Ecton hill though was just splendid.
walked up there often and round the side where the footpath passes where the river goes underground .a very interesting walk and a cuppa at the cafe near the river .
think there mabe a cople of tin mine shafts up there not to certain though ,well worth look at doing that walk .always the pub near the river also was good for food ,but not to sure in the covid situation
It was getting later in the day so I wasn't up for a long walk. I'd done one further west into Staffordshire thinking it'd be quiet and a chance for a long naked walk. Half right - it *was* quiet. So quiet that no one had walked the paths in ages and they were waist high, sometimes in nettles. Not a good route at all! Then I met a farmer who complained I was trespassing. I showed him I had a map and he told me not to believe that bulls**t and that he took them to court in the 90s. I decided not to point out if the route was still on the maps then he clearly lost! Explains why it was so hard to follow though. Still, I had a great lunch in a remote spot naked, just basking in the sun. 🙂
The dales area though was new to me and a lovely change from rural Bedfordshire (which is mainly arable farm land).
We are now so used to the Right To Responsible Access that trespass seems a bizarre concept. Still, pleased he was more concerned about trespass than nakedness .
We are now so used to the Right To Responsible Access that trespass seems a bizarre concept. Still, pleased he was more concerned about trespass than nakedness .
I wasn't naked at that point. I knew there'd be parts where I could and parts where I couldn't. I decided walking through a farm yard wasn't an appropriate naked spot. It was a well made up tarmac road, but still clearly he had issues.
My faith was restored later on when I got lost trying to find the route (builders had piled a huge mound of earth over the footpath diverting me off the right) and somone from a neighbouring house showed me where the almost hidden style was.