Stanage Edge — Attraction in Derbyshire Dales

We took the trail in May 2022. We started at Camp Green in Heathersage and took the long winding route to the stanage edge, walked from one end to the other of the stanage edge and retuned back to Camp Green (clockwise direction starting at Camp Green placed in 6'o clock location). By the end, we were really gald that we did it this way (even though we weren't aware when we planned) as the long route was a noticable but slight uphill gradient, while the shorter route turned out to be a steep gradient. If we had done it the other way around, we would have been climbing steep uphill for 50% of our journey.

Heathersage has public toilets and many food options. However once we started on the trail, Hollin Bank public toilets were the only restrooms and there are no options for water or food, so plan accordingly.

The longer option of the trail offers varied views - grasslands with sheep grazing, woods with water running, forest path, stone paved climb among trees, the stanage edge mountain itself and walk across moorlands (we even came across a helipad in the middle of the hills as there was a stellement that had no road access).

We followed the trail that goes parallel to the Hood Brook and came across the most beautiful and enchanting woods we ever came across. Hood Brook peacefully flowing across stones, green woods and the floor covered in green and purple felt like a scene out of disney animation - the sort of woods where you would find will-o'-the-wisp and the witch's cabin !

The trail gets incredibly steep at a few points, especially closer to the edge as we have to climb to the edge in a relatively short distance.

It is possible to avoid the most of the trail and just do the walk along the Stanage edge by starting at the Hooks Carr car park, but we would really and highly recommend doing the longer trail paths leading to the Stanage edge if you have the time and are open to the increased effort. We saw a few people parasailing over the grasslands / moorlands.

Once on the Stanage edge, the panoramic view is beautiful, but can get a bit repetitive after a bit. But the varied views across the trail we did definitely made up for it.

We covered the whole route in under 4 hrs and it was worth each and every...

Great views. Long rocky ridge with a path along the top and bottom. Popular with rock climbers and fell runners. Views across to Win Hill, Lose Hill, Back Tor and Mam Tor. If you want a longer walk, go from New Road, at the foot of Bamford Edge. Stop at Bamford Edge for a brew and the views over Lady Bower and the great ridge. Then head over to Stanage Edge from there. It's about 3 miles and a moderate hike. If you just want to get up onto Stanage Edge quickly and walk the length of the Edge itself there is a car park you can walk from which knocks about 2 miles off the walk up onto the rocks. The edge itself runs for about 1.5 miles in length. I recommend you wear supportive and strong footwear for the walk and there is a scramble up some parts of the ascent but it's fairly easy. It's very exposed once up there so can be windy. Just be careful about the cliff edge if it's windy as you can get caught out with sudden gusts. (It's common sense really but you never know who's reading this so I mention it for everyone's safety). I shot a few quadcopter clips there and it was a great. Just do your research first. Grouse nest in the heather at the top and so you want to be flying well away from them and your mini drones are going to be quieter and safer to fly (in the right hands). If I can post some clips here I will. Enjoy if...

Stanage Edge is one of the many prominent gritstone escarpments located in the Peak District. Historically, the area was quarried for grindstones; rocks that formed in vast river deltas that once covered the whole of the White Peak from the Roaches in the West to Kinder Scout in the north. Parking in Hathersage, you leave the village and start on a relatively gentle ascent up to the escarpment that takes about 45 mins (depending on walking ability). Once on top of the escarpment, you can vary the length of the walk to suit your needs. We did a relatively short loop of approx. 10 km. Depending on the weather, while on top of the escarpment you should have some wonderful 360 views, including across the Hope valley with Win Hill and even Mam Tor viewable on a clear day. While walking along Stanage edge, you will likely pass Robin Hood's cave (take care not to miss it), which is worth popping into, though does require abit of care and agility to reach the 'The Balcony' - but worth it. While the highest point along Stanage edge is only 458 metres (at High Neb), you are quite exposed so it can be windy / chilly. Therefore, be suitably prepared in terms of clothing. Our walk was only approx. 2.5/3 hrs and included visiting Robin Hood's cave and the Holy Trinity chapel remains as we dropped back down...