Mud, Miracles and the Trans Pennine Trail: Spring’s Return to Longdendale

Even with the TPT on my doorstep, it’s been a slow start to the year due to my father’s death. Anyone who’s been through bereavement and is still coming out the other side will know what I mean. There’s a lot to do and motivation even for nice things is problematic, especially in grey weather, of which there has recently been quite a lot in Longdendale.

One section of the TPT goes through Longdendale, the steep sides of which lead up to the Dark Peak, my favourite walking area. Bleaklow is on one side of the valley and it is bleak. Made of millstone grit, a kind of sandstone laid down during the Carboniferous Period over 300 million years ago, it’s both tough and vulnerable. The Pennine Way which crosses the TPT at Torside goes up that way, and is a reasonable walk if you are fit and well equipped. Well worth the trek. Exposed rocks make intriguing shapes and weather erosion means that it is pretty much in the process of constant change.  However, I usually enjoy it from the bottom of the valley these days. The TPT goes through some stunning scenery here and at this time of the year is coming back to life after the winter, which brings us to mud. Who doesn’t like mud?

I see plenty of sociable people and animals of all ages that seem to relish it. After all, what is mud but gritstone in several million years time. Meanwhile it is a haven for early spring life. I love to look out for frogspawn on the TPT at this time of year. There are many ditches and pools that are the ideal places for frogs to meet and lay eggs. Sometimes they are so popular you can hear the frog parties going on in them.

Other early signs of spring are in the trees and bushes. Catkins, on Hazel and Alder are found all along the TPT, being hardy and ready colonisers of edges and hedges. These types of plants are wind pollinated which explains the catkins that you will see quite easily. The catkins, hanging down are the male flowers. On the hazel, female flowers are small and red, on the Alder they turn into small hard green cones.

Early insects especially bees appreciate the pollen that you can see on Willow flowers and of course dandelions. It’s easy to take these common yellow flowers for granted but bees need them to get started on their years’ work. There are many different species of bees in the area, and some of the most fascinating are mining bees. A type of solitary bee, these make nests by burrowing into soft, sandy soil. You can see them in warm weather on the sandy shores of Bottoms Reservoir.

Bereavement signals a time of change and upheaval. We all encounter it at some point in our lives. But the valley itself is the result of change and upheaval so it tunes right in and can be a good place to wander and reflect at any time. You don’t have to go far to see these common things. Birds are coming back to the valley for spring and summer breeding and bird song can also be heard all along the Trail. Green plants are coming up, small at first, like bittercress, cleavers and nettles, these will soon be providing the ground layer of the basic habitat for invertebrates galore. If you are struggling to get out on your own, why not ask a friend or family member to go with you, even for a short walk, to admire and immerse yourself in the miracle of spring. Be prepared for mud and miracles!

Janet Lees
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Date: 13th March, 2026