Bamford Edge is an iconic beauty spot above Bamford village in the Peak District. It offers an incredible view overlooking Ladybower reservoir on one side and Stanage Edge across the summit moorlands. Home to rare ground nesting birds, the stunning hillside gritstone landscape changes throughout the year, turning into a vibrant purple and green later in summer thanks to abundant heather. It’s arguably the best peak for views of Hope Valley when it comes to sightseeing. Spot everything from Bamford, Bradwell and Hope Cement Works to other high points such as Win hill and Mam Tor. The west-facing viewpoint is the perfect setup for beautiful sunsets that reflect over the reservoir. It’s no surprise that Bamford Edge has forged a reputation for romantic walks and marriage proposals.
Bamford Edge Walk Details
Easy
01:45
3.8 mi
+/-214m
Gear: Outdoor gear isn’t required in dry conditions but it’s best to wear shoes with grip as dirt paths are uneven and rocky. Walking shoes offer extra padding and grip to reduce risk of injuries. After extended rain, the area gets boggy and large puddles form so waterproof trousers and boots are recommended.
Dogs: This trail is just beyond the priority area for ground nesting birds so well behaved dogs can be let off the lead while going across Bamford Edge but must be kept on the lead near roads and when you see signs stating that livestock are in the area. There are 2 fence styles to climb over which may be challenging for big dogs.
Local rules: National Park Authority states that visitors should leave no trace for litter or dog waste, avoid camping, fireworks, and fires.
Bamford Edge is the most searched for gritstone edge in the Peak District. Even more impressive, the hotspot has reached an international audience from its widespread appeal on social media. This Bamford Edge walk is suitable for most fitness levels while providing most of your 10k steps for the day, plus burning extra calories and strengthening your legs on the sloped hills. It covers a range of diverse scenery to keep everything exciting. You’ll get to walk across the spectacular Ladybower dam after admiring it from the hilltop. Tick off all the best photo spots on the way. There’s also plenty of parking along the route so you can start at any point if you can’t find a spot during peak times. And to complete any perfect countryside trip, enjoy a refreshing drink or pub lunch at The Bridge Inn.
Elevation: 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level. There is a moderate incline going up from New Road to Bamford Edge that is short-lived. The decline towards Heatherdene car park/Ladybower dam is more steady over a much further distance.
Terrain: Uneven moorland and woodland dirt paths, smooth roads.
Stiles: Yes
Supplies:
- Texaco petrol station (Bamford)
- Go Outdoors (Hathersage)
- Alpkit (Hathersage)
- Outside (Hathersage)
Toilets:
- Heatherdene car park
- Yorkshire Bridge Inn
Places to eat:
- Yorkshire Bridge Inn
- Ladybower Inn
- The Rest Cafe (Bamford)
- Bamford Bakery
Pubs:
- Yorkshire Bridge Inn
- The Anglers Rest (Bamford)
Bamford Edge is situated just off New Road north of Bamford village in the Hope Valley region of the Peak District National Park in England.
By car: Use your GPS or Google Maps to get to Bamford Edge hiking area on New Road, Hope Valley, S33 OAZ. Park along New Road, preferably near the top or bottom, but never double park (blocking both sides of the road) as it’s too narrow for passing cars. If there isn’t much space left, park close by along the main Ashopton Road (A6103) connecting to it. You could also start at Heatherdene car park (pay & display) and do the route from step 4 (in reverse if you want to go straight up to Bamford edge from this location).
By train: Get the Manchester Piccadilly/Sheffield Northern train to Bamford station. Walk north up Station Road through the village until you get to The Anglers Rest pub. The fastest way to Bamford Edge takes 35-40 minutes by turning right and then left up The Clough until you reach New Road. But the path going up is very steep. Alternatively, follow Ashopton Road to the left from the pub until you reach New Road and walk up from there, which is an extra 10 minutes each way.
By Bus: View Andrews bus timetable for services 257, 257a, and 257b. Your main destination is New Road near Yorkshire Bridge, with buses stopping at Yorkshire Bridge Hotel (Ashopton Road), which are close walking distance to the trailheads for Bamford Edge.
From Bamford station – Catch the 257 bus from the nearby Bus Turnaround or Station Road stops. This bus operates hourly, with a short journey time of about 4 minutes to the Yorkshire Bridge/Hotel stop, which is close to the starting point for the Bamford Edge hike.
From Sheffield, take the 257, 257a, or 257b bus from Sheffield Interchange. Buses run hourly Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 16:00, with a journey time of about 55 minutes. On Sundays (during British Summer Time), the 257 runs hourly from 09:45 to 16:45 via South Pennine buses. Get off at Yorkshire Bridge.
Peak District connections – You can catch service 257 or 257a from places like Bakewell, Eyam, Calver, Stoney Middleton, Grindleford, Hathersage. Buses from Bakewell to Bamford run roughly hourly from 06:55 to 17:55 (weekday/Saturday) and take ~45–55 minutes.
Bamford Edge Map Route
Download GPX
15°C
| Day | Condition | Temperature | Precipitation | Rain Chance | Wind | Humidity | Pressure | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Today
10:00 pm
|
 light rain
|
15° | 15°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 11 mph | 100 % | 1011 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Tomorrow
10:00 pm
|
 light rain
|
13° | 18°°C | 0.9 mm | 90% | 17 mph | 97 % | 1006 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Sat Aug 26
10:00 pm
|
light rain
|
12° | 14°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 13 mph | 97 % | 1005 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Sun Aug 26
10:00 pm
|
light rain
|
12° | 17°°C | 0.38 mm | 38% | 16 mph | 97 % | 1008 mb | 0 mm/h |
|
Mon Aug 26
10:00 pm
|
light rain
|
11° | 17°°C | 0.46 mm | 46% | 14 mph | 91 % | 1013 mb | 0 mm/h |
| Hour | Condition | Temperature | Precipitation | Rain Chance | Wind | Humidity | Pressure | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Today
10:00 am
|
light rain
|
16° | 17°°C | 0.83 mm | 83% | 11 mph | 91 % | 1011 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Today
1:00 pm
|
moderate rain
|
16° | 16°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 4 mph | 93 % | 1009 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Today
4:00 pm
|
heavy intensity rain
|
16° | 16°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 5 mph | 100 % | 1006 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Today
7:00 pm
|
light rain
|
16° | 16°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 7 mph | 92 % | 1006 mb | 0 mm/h |
|
Today
10:00 pm
|
light rain
|
15° | 15°°C | 1 mm | 100% | 4 mph | 96 % | 1006 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Tomorrow
1:00 am
|
 overcast clouds
|
15° | 15°°C | 0.9 mm | 90% | 4 mph | 93 % | 1006 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Tomorrow
4:00 am
|
overcast clouds
|
14° | 14°°C | 0 mm | 0% | 6 mph | 97 % | 1004 mb | 0 mm/h |
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Tomorrow
7:00 am
|
overcast clouds
|
14° | 14°°C | 0 mm | 0% | 11 mph | 95 % | 1003 mb | 0 mm/h |
Trail Directions & Waypoints
Step 1 - New Road to Bamford Edge
Park near the entrance of Bamford Edge along New Road, north of Bamford village (see ‘getting there’ section above for public transport).
Navigate: SK213840 | W3W ///polices.shoulders.radiated
Go straight in the above picture and over the stile on your left (near where New Road connects to The Clough lane), then head up the path towards the rock face.
Stick to the left as the path splits further up.
Step 2 - Bamford Edge summit & viewpoints
Once you reach the top within 5-10 minutes, continue to the left adjacent to New road and follow the gritstone edge path.
Note: the other paths heading to the right take you on a much longer walk to Stanage Edge.
Watch out for the first viewpoint for photos of Bamford and Win hill not long after following the path.
Further along as you get nearer to Ladybower dam, there’s a famous rock ledge sticking out with a backdrop of the reservoir. This is where most visitors take amazing shots of one of the best views in the Peak District.
Step 3 - Descend Bamford Edge
Navigate: SK213840 | W3W ///polices.shoulders.radiated
After 30 minutes of walking along the summit (longer if stopping to admire the views), be aware of the exit point to head back down. Many people get confused as the path is obscured by scrubs. Once you’ve passed the dam and are adjacent to Heatherdene public toilets and car park on the map, look for the dirt path that bends around to your left towards the cliff edge. There’s a narrow path going down the direction you came from.
Enjoy an extended woodland walk. The trees have intricate branches entangled over the path during winter and early spring. Look out for the white arrows signposting to help you going down but essentially just go straight on and stick to the right.
You’ll eventually reach a stile to go over a fence on your right. You’ll want to put the lead back on your dog at this point as we’ll soon be at the road. Once over the stile, go left through the some more woodlands area until you come out onto a stretch of grassland.
Follow the path right and then go straight back into the next bit of woodlands on the left. You can see Ladybower dam through the trees. Find the main path going down to the road.
Step 4 - Ladybower Dam
Now you come out above Ashopton Road where there’s a bench looking out to the dam and reservoir. If you started at Heatherdene car park or need the toilet, take the path to the right. Otherwise, stay on the main trail and take a left and down the steps where you’ll find the Ladybower reservoir commemorative plaque. Cross the road and follow the path to the left until you reach the gate to cross the dam. If you want to skip and go straight to the pub and back up New Road go straight instead of through the gate until you get to Yorkshire Bridge Inn.
On a sidenote, there’s a cool plughole at the other side of Ladybower dam on your right. It drains the reservoir water when the height is about to overflow.
When you reach the end of the dam, take the path to the left and keep going straight. The path splits into two so stick to the left path. There’s a calming stream as you descend to the bottom of the dam.
After a short while, you’ll get to Yorkshire Bridge on your left. Cross it and head up Lydgate Lane.
When you get to the top, take a left and then a right a moment later up New Road. Or, if you want to go to the pub, turn left and follow the main road to Yorkshire Bridge Inn.
Note: this is also where you get the 257 bus (Yorkshire bridge stop) if using public transport to get there.
Step 5 - Back up to New Road
If you went to the pub, head back the direction you came from, cross the road and back up New road on your left.
Walk up New road on a steady incline enjoying some amazing countryside views and a bottom close up view of Bamford Edge before you reach your car.