This south-easterly facing photograph shows a public footpath connecting Pilsley (behind the viewpoint) with Cocktop (a farm ahead).
The area of scrub in the dip is the course of one of the tributaries of Westwood Brook. The footpath crosses this watercourse via a small
SK4362 : Footbridge.
Before the Five Pits Trail was constructed the footpath here and behind the viewpoint ran (and still does legally) from Station Road in Pilsley to Cocktop. With the opening of the trail the section from here to Pilsley became rarely used because the trail is much easier underfoot and also because this section runs parallel with the trail, which is just to the right of the picture. The fingerpost at the top of the steps ahead marks the point at which the ‘new’ and ‘old’ routes converge.
Note. The fingerpost ahead shows the route of the footpath continuing toward Cocktop by crossing the field opposite. On the ground, however, the route is obviously via the field boundary.
To see a photograph taken from the steps ahead but looking back through this viewpoint, click here
SK4362 : Public footpath.
To see a more north-westerly (behind the viewpoint) photograph showing the Pilsley end of this footpath, click here
SK4362 : Five Pits Trail.