Bamford & Stanage Edges from Rod Side

This Peak District walk explores two of the gritstone edges in the eastern sector of the National Park. The walk generally follows well defined paths and tracks and offers some fine views from elevated positions along the way. After heavy rain do expect some boggy ground under foot along some sections of the route.

Technical sheet

n°293160

A Bradfield walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 12/10/16

Activity: Walking
Distance: 15.93 km
Calculated time: 5h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 280 m
Vertical drop: - 288 m
Highest point: 448 m
Lowest point: 289 m

Area: Peak District
District: Bradfield
Start/End: N 53.39181° / W 1.63722°
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Description

(S/E)From the parking on Rod Side road above Hollow Meadows take the Heathy Lane track towards and past Moscar Cross Farm then turn right on Moscar Cross Road track and follow it around to the left as it makes its way across fields and down to Sugworth Road. Go left on the road and at the junction with Mortimer Road go straight across and take the path to Moscar House. Pass straight through the yard and continue on the path which leads on to the A57 at Cutthroat Bridge.

(1)Cross the A57, go over the stile then continue up the track that leads up the side of Jarvis Clough. After just over half a mile, and before the track bends to the left, there is a path off on the right that passes a lone tree, goes over the Jarvis Clough then climbs up the far side. The path is easy to follow, although it is not marked on OS maps, and picks up the line of the wall at the start of Bamford Edge.

(2)As you start to walk southwards you pass two stone pillars then there are several paths. The rule is stay close to the edge but do not lose height and aim to go through the next wall at grid reference SK206857. From here the path is better defined along the edge. Continue along the edge until the rocks on your right run out, the path straight ahead starts to descend and there is a path off on the left at SK213846. Go left over the rise, follow the path south east and then go around the north and east of the old quarry. When you come out at the bottom take the path to the right. This comes out at a stile. The path to the left comes out further up the road but you have to step over a (non-barbed) wire fence.

(3) Reaching the road (grid ref. SK215839), turn left and follow it for just over 2 km. passing Bole Hill on your left and Dennis Knoll wood on your right. Continue over the cattle-grid, pass the small car park on your right and continue along what is now a track past a small plantation also on your right. At the end of the plantation look out for a footpath on your left (grid ref SK228847). This path climbs steadily uphill onto Stanage Edge. Reaching the well-worn path along the edge, turn left and continue initially north-west and then north.

(4) The walk back along Stanage Edge gives similar views towards Ladybower but it is no longer possible to see into the Derwent valley. The path is well defined, in fact well-worn, and the only complication is looking out for the slight turn north then north-east to come off the edge and take the track down to the A57. Cross straight over, walk past Moscar Lodge on Heathy Lane then go right and take the paths back to the parking on Rod Side(S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 392 m - Start: Hollow Meadows
1 : km 3.76 - alt. 291 m - Cutthroat Bridge: cross A57
2 : km 5.31 - alt. 336 m - Bamford Edge: continue south
3 : km 8.47 - alt. 336 m - Reaching the road, turn left
4 : km 11.1 - alt. 431 m - Stanage Edge - Turn left
S/E : km 15.93 - alt. 392 m - Finish: Hollow Meadows

Useful Information

This walk starts on the edges of South Yorkshire at grid reference SK242883 on the minor road, Rod Side, above Hollow Meadows where there is enough off-road parking for half a dozen cars. The walk takes in the Bamford and Stanage edges giving great views towards Ladybower and the Derwent valley above Bamford. By starting above the A57 it also ensures that there is no walking along the main road. A shorter alternative would be to start in the Cutthroat Bridge layby or the parking on Long Causeway below Stanage Edge.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.7 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5

Walk interest
4.4 / 5

Simon Pike

03 Aug 2021 at 10:55 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 01/08/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I liked the idea of this route combining Bamford and Stanage Edges. However, staying on paths all the way also means some road walking, which I avoided by going cross country:

1) I parked in the car park just east of Cutthroat Bridge. From there, there is a path to the track at point 1, starting steeply up the bank of the car park (which is a section of old road that has been bypassed).

2) Once I started descending from Bamford edge, I headed east from roughly the point of the disused quarry. Once you see the small wood, head to the north of it and then ascend the other side. Then head for the parking on the road. There are sheep tracks all the way through the heather and bracken.

3) It seems a pity to miss out walking along most of Stanage Edge, so I then reached the Edge along the Byway. You can then walk south along Stanage edge before reversing your direction and returning to the described route.

4) Once I started descending from Stanage Edge, at the disused quarry I went cross-country, slightly west of north. The terrain is not too difficult, and the fence is easy to cross. Aim to reach the A57 around 200m west of the junction with the minor road, just west of where the stream goes under the road. There is a gate here, where the track starts. Then there is around 400m to finish along the A57, with a narrow verge for most of the way.

Pauline Franks

28 May 2019 at 14:57 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 27/05/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An excellent walk. The instructions were easy to follow and the views were stunning.

robertwolstencroft

08 Jan 2019 at 02:34 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 30/12/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We only walked from point 3 to 2 and then down the valley onto the road and back to bamford this was because of the size of the group and the time

RobS

28 Apr 2018 at 06:08 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 24/04/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Really enjoyable walk with great views from both Bamford and Stanage edges. As described the car park is off the main road so should provide easier access during busy periods such as weekends. The map ad description are pretty accurate too.

AllanJD

12 Mar 2018 at 06:31 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 11/03/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Excellent walk

Sarita J

29 Jan 2018 at 13:46 EST

Thank you for your feedback. If you have any photos of the walk, please feel free to post them

anythingyoulike

29 Jan 2018 at 04:31 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 27/01/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Delightful traverse across the little used path above Bamford Edge. (Mainly because it’s non existent on OS maps. On the ground it’s clear enough) The mile Walk along the road between Bamford & Stanage edges was a little tedious for my liking but there are no off road alternatives. Stanage Edge will always be one of the Peak Districts classics. The Stanage Edge path was destroyed by mud on this occasion so, if you can do it after drier weather. Perhaps it’s time to pave it like the Pennine Way. Excellent views throughout.

idealpaul

12 Dec 2017 at 11:22 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 11/12/17
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

great simple walk other than summer & weekends parts likely to be crowded

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