Scenic Bamford Edge and Stanage Edge | 9 Miles

April 4, 2023 CIRCULAR WALKS, MEDIUM WALKS 4-9 MILES, PEAK DISTRICT WALKS

This scenic Bamford Edge walk also visits Stanage Edge and is a 9 mile circular, taking in some of the best views in the Peak District.

The Bamford Edge walk has spectacular views down over Ladybower Reservoir (including the Ladybower plugholes) and Stanage Edge is a place full of history, again with stunning views.

The walk starts from Cutthroat Bridge car parking layby. I walked a short distance down the main road to get to the gate into the woods, then crossed the stile. The path is a track which leads up to a pine plantation. On the OS map the path is shown as going through this plantation but in real life the path heads down the side of the plantation. I went the wrong way around and ended up in some very wet, boggy places but was rewarded with a scramble along the river bank.

Crossing the river using stepping stones the path runs alongside the wall. I followed the path as shown on the OS map, which runs around the edge of the field, but there is a more direct path cutting diagonally. The climb up is steep but relatively short, and you’re soon on Bamford Edge.

Bamford Edge Walk

A wander along Bamford Edge is one of the most popular walks in the Peak District and it’s easy to see why. The views are amazing! You can see Win Hill and Parkin Clough, Lose Hill and The Great Ridge, Crook Hill, Ladybower Reservoir and the plugholes – so many iconic Peak District spots! There are also signs of the history of the area, including the sighting towers for the construction of the Rivelin Tunnel which runs from Ladybower to Lower Rivelin Reservoir 4.5 miles away.

After I’d taken about 11 million photos of the view from the sighting tower I followed the path along Bamford Edge, passing the Instagram famous stone and a former quarry complete with abandoned millstone. It was far too windy for me to go too near the edge though! I then turned east and took the top path skirting round the top of the larger former quarry, which brought me via a quarry track to the roadside.

I climbed the stile and turned left on New Road, heading along the road for around 1.8 miles, passing through Dennis Knoll car park and past the Plantation car park.

Stanage Edge Walk

Just after the Plantation car park is a footpath leading up through a small woodland onto a section of Long Causeway on Stanage Edge. Long Causeway is a medieval packhorse route running between Hathersage and Sheffield and there are still some paved sections remaining.

Following the path along the top of Stanage Edge is relatively simple – again, it was really windy so I didn’t spend too much time exploring the rocks (I didn’t even channel my inner Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice and stand on that famous rock!). I headed for a cuppa in the stone shelter on Stanage Moor, then off towards High Neb and its trig point. As you venture north along Stanage Edge it becomes much less busy.

From High Neb I passed Crow Chin, a gritstone outcrop with fabulous views down over Bamford Moor and Moscar Moor. The path starts to descend through a former quarry, passing some boundary stones on the way, then heads out onto the A57 again where it’s a walk of just under a mile to get back to the car parking layby. There is a faint footpath on the verge but traffic is very fast!

This was a great walk exploring some of the Peak District’s best known spots, enjoying the spectacular views. I’d love to know if you do this walk – find me on Instagram @wanderingwildflowerblog.

Bamford Edge and Stanage Edge Walk Map: