Another walk up Oyster Clough today, albeit abbreviated by a mass emergence of flying ants, I'm not sure if it was them stinging or biting me, or the wasps and other insects attracted by the all ants' hullabloo. In the end I only got halfway up the clough and bid my retreat. Along the way I was seen from a distance by two teenage boys exploring the hillside, and they briefly followed me, peering around the corner of the ridge that opens up the clough, I think possibly due one not believing the other when he said what he'd seen.

Also had a brief skinny dip in a spot along the river at the bottom of Snake Pass, same as we did last week. Only this time as we were more or less getting ready to leave two young women arrived, and settled down to enjoying the water. We'd already retreated a little down the stream to eat a very late lunch and noticed at first they were in swimming costumes, then topless, and then fully naked. It did cross my mind that it might be nice if we stick around and have another dip, show some skinny dipping solidarity, but on second thought wondered how well that might be received and, well, we'd already had our turn so to speak, so we decided to leave them to it in peace. Still, nice to know we're not the only ones!

My partner really loves this area, so we were there again yesterday. Given the weekend crowds we explored further up the stream, to a quieter spot, about 50 yards below where the paths wind up the valley, yet slightly obscured and out of view. It was the perfect cove for a bit nude sunbathing, and the peaty water was about thigh deep, just enough for dipping down to cool off. For a good couple of hours it was just us and the sheep, the occasional walker in eyesight far enough away not to care about.

Upon leaving, and after clambering back up to the main path, we rejoined it just as a family were passing by, and their 10-year-old lifted a rock embedded in the path and threw it with all his effort right at the spot we'd be sitting. It's no hyperbole to say it could have killed us if they'd been 5 minutes earlier. The sheep were still there, right in this kid's range. Parents sort of watching but paying no attention at the same time.

Continuing our walk back we saw very large groups and families descending into the valley to camp for the night, barbecues firing up, men looking for firewood, all of them after passing signs in every car park, along roads and at access gates explicitly prohibiting all three things and warning of the danger of wildfire. I can't begin to fathom how they possibly believe they're exempt. Quite depressing really.

The end-of-the-day nude stroll up Oyster Clough was doubly rewarding after that, as again, even on this balmy early Saturday evening, there was nobody, only us, the views, and the warm breeze. A much better way to finish off. 

"I can't begin to fathom how they possibly believe they're exempt"...

I don't think they believe they're exempt. They just know the authorities are outnumbered and can't begin to enforce the law.

Up there again yesterday, although maybe for the last time for as the heatwave dies down.

It was a completely different picture to the weekend, all those things I complained about were gone, very few people around indeed. We descended down to the river first and luckily a family of five with a deckchair each, two big cool boxes, picnic blankets, drying lines for their towels, so very many towels, wet suits, bodyboards, and all sorts of other parafernalia were just leaving. After that it took probably took two hours for the next people to pass by and in the meantime we had the heat of the sun, the cool waters of the pool, a gentle breeze and the sound of birds. I was nude throughout, and later into the afternoon my partner went for it too - which she hasn't done for quite a while. A smashing time all told, bobbing in the water, clambering up and down the cascades and generally exploring a hundred or so yard stretch of the river.

Late on two young male hikers briefly passed by, and soon after a couple came along and stopped by the water. They looked kitted out for a dip. Now who knows if it was always their plan or they went for it because they saw we were naked, whatever the reason they took off their swimwear and went naked too, having a good old covort in the river. We were about to get ready to leave anyway, so got dressed after a short while and left them to it.

Here's the thing though, that's twice in a week we've found other people going entirely nude to enjoy the water in that very same spot, plus ourselves of course. Now that was a little unexpected. Gives us confidence to do it more ourselves. Perhaps we've inadvertantly discovered a traditional skinny-dipping spot?

We finished the day in the usual way, a short walk up the clough, superb views again and again absolutely nobody around. I did the same as last time and placed my clothes behind a tree, which I've not been brave enough to do elsewhere. It's a fabulous feeling, feels sort of beach-like and as if taking the very last step toward freedom from what other people think. 

Where are you based? 

I have a favourite swim spot slightly further along, deep enough to actually swim and is a truly idyllic spot with rocks faces, streams of water flowing down, nice grassy bank to lie out on.

Yesterday I squeezed in one more walk at the end of a surprisingly nice day for August(!). 

First up the clough for the views, and then with it getting to after half past six, I decided to be a little more intrepid and try a naked walk along the river at the bottom of the pass since by that time the families will have already left. So I dressed briefly to cross the road, walked a few hundred yards, through the Snake Woodland and finding nobody there felt safe to strip off by the skinny-dipping pool. IMMEDIATELY got myself covered in midges, like black patches on them on my body, but as soon I started walking at a good pace they had readl trouble keeping up and it became a very comfortable walk.

As was bound to be the case, within 30 seconds and going around the next headland, I met a lady just joining my path from the one above it. She seem startled for a moment, but as soon I gave her a cheery hello, she followed with a comment on how the midges drive her crazy. I told her of the importance to keep moving, which is exactly what I did and as I heard her agreeing with me.

The only other people I came across was a mum and two older teenage girls obviously looking for somewhere to camp. One of the girls had the drawstring of her hooded pulled tight so only really her nose and mouth were visible, and she was asking her mum what else to do about the midges. On this occasion I gave them a quick smile, the smiled back and I carried on. Surprising really, most of the people camping there seem to have been the fly-camper type, these three had proper gear, which doesn't particularly make it anymore legal.

The full loop walk up the valley and back along the skirt of the Kinder plateau is about 9 miles, which I wasn't going to do that late, so I doubled back after about half an hour of winding my way up the valley, just high enough to get a rewarding view, and only passed the three campers one more time on my way back, they'd wisely (or unwisely) begun to set up amongst some trees.

Splendid end to the day, only a couple of very minor itches today. Was just a tad sweaty getting back to the car, those midges probably had me walking about 1mph faster than normal. Great encouragement to exercise!

@the-tibetan-hat I think I will be walking this Tomorrow! Is it easy to get parked? 

Sorry didn't answer the question there, parking is at Birchin Clough Bridge, either get there early or do as we do, go mid-afternoon when people are already beginning to leave. There are a couple of other points along the road you can park at, that's more a matter of experience and judgment.

Had another day down Snake Pass yesterday. Mostly spent just relaxing by the small pool, dipping in occasionally. It was occasionally busy so I sat with a towel for some periods, but was mostly very quiet, long periods just us so I could relax naked and have a good slosh around in the water. A few passing walkers and groups would have seen, none seemed bothered, a few giggles from a mixed group of passing young people. 

Then at the end our usual walk up Oyster Clough, only this time my partner decided she would go naked too. It's been years since she's done this away from a C/O beach, and she immediately enjoyed it, said she understands all over again why I enjoy walking that way. Literally only us up there, the gentle summer breeze and fantastic views down the valley.

Also in Derbyshire, we did Long Dale a couple of days ago. Another bolthole of nudity for me, and maybe her too next time. About half a dozen people passed, it's pretty much all adults there because of the relative remoteness, a few ignored, a few said hello, no trouble. 7.5 miles 3/4 of which can be easily done naked. There was a road section on our route, surely one on the narrowest roads in England, and so quiet I've half a mind to go naked there next time too, get it up to 7 nude miles that way.