Higger Tor and Carl Wark are the first two in a trifecta of gritstone formations leading to Stanage Edge, one bigger than the other in a stepping stone of difficulty. We’re going to skip Stanage and take the easier route from Surprise View near Sheffield. This is the most popular route for its scenic views, straightforwardness and ease getting there.
Higger Tor Walk
Easy
01:30
3 mi
+/-184m
Why go on this trail?
Higger Tor circular walk is a great alternative to Stanage Edge for shorter walks. It’s flatter with much lower elevation and distance going across the top but offers much of the same stunning rock formations that blow you away. Located in the heart of Hathersage Moor, it has a gritty appeal that’s hard to find outside the Dark Peak. The landscape turns into a sea of brown when the plants die in autumn and purple from the heather during summer. Not only is Surprise View car park the easiest starting point, the walk almost instantly rewards you with sweeping views from Millstone Edge that overlook Hathersage and the much greener Hope Valley region. The open space and regular footfall feels very safe but not overcrowded or tiresome. Plus, you can see where you need to go next in the distance so there’s little reliance on a map to avoid getting lost. It’s dog-friendly but watch out for cows in the area.
Preparation
Gear: Outdoor gear isn’t required but opt for shoes with grip and there isn’t much shelter along the route so cover up if you suspect it may rain. Waterproof shoes are recommended after a period of extended rain.
Dogs: Dogs should be kept on the lead as there are cows grazing in the area. However, the open space is vast so you should be fine if there’s no livestock in sight and your dog is well behaved.
Local rules: National Park Authority states that visitors should leave no trace for litter or dog waste (there are no bins), avoid camping, fireworks, and fires.
Terrain
Elevation: Higger Tor is 434 metres above sea level and Carl Wark is 370 metres. However, most of the walk is fairly flat, a steady incline or steady decline.
Terrain: Uneven moorland dirt paths and gritstone rocks along the summits.
Local Amenities
Supplies (in Hathersage):
- Texaco station
- OneStop
- Go Outdoors
- Outside
- Alpkit
Toilets:
- Hathersage visitor centre (back)
Places to eat:
- Coleman’s Deli
- Bank house restaurant and bar
- Maazi’s Indian restaurant
- Open House
- Cintra’s Tea room
- Hathersage Kitchen by Evangeline
- Hathersage bakery
Pubs:
- The Millstone Country Inn
- The Scotsman’s pack
- The George hotel
- Little John hotel
Getting there
Start at Surprise View car park, which is situated just off Hathersage Road between Sheffield and Hathersage Booths.
Note: You can also start the Higger Tor walk from Ringinglow Road (view on map) and reach the summit within a few minutes following the public footpath from the gate. This is preferable for a shorter walk or you can follow the same route but start and finish from step 3.
By train: Get the Manchester Piccadilly/Sheffield Northern train to Hathersage station. Walk down Station Road to Hathersage visitor centre on the Main road and catch the 272/271 bus to Sheffield. Get off at ‘Surprise View’ (approx. 6 minutes). Press the bell when the bus reaches the top of the hill and turns a sharp left.
By Bus: The best bus routes are the 272/271 Sheffield to Castleton Hulleys and First buses every hour. You can also get the 173 bus to Castleton from Bakewell Square if you want to access Hathersage from a non-connected village in the Peak District. Stagecoach also run an open top BLUE tour bus that passes through Hathersage going around the peak park from Sheffield.
By car: Use your GPS or Google Maps to get to surprise view car park in Step 1.
Higger Tor Map Route
Step 1 - Surprise View Car Park
When you go through the entrance of Surprise View car park, you’ll see the pay machine and disabled spaces. Turn left and go through the gate straight ahead signposted to surprise view or the gate at the top left of the above picture. Both meet at the same path on Millstone Edge within a few minutes.
Millstone Edge
Now you’re on Millstone Edge, ascend to the top within 5 minutes and enjoy the iconic Peak District view to your left. There are gates along the way that take you into a grass area if you want to take in the view for longer.
Hathersage Moor
Once you reach the peak of millstone, continue straight on down the path. In the picture above you can see Higger Tor in the far distance (and even Stanage Edge to the far left).
Step 2 - Higger Tor
You’ll arrive at the bottom of Higger Tor within 20 minutes. The gritstone rock face looks much higher from afar because it’s elevated on higher moorland. Luckily, that means it’s pretty quick to get to the summit. Simply follow the sloped path around the left side.
Once you reach the top the path will bend around to the right. Then you just follow straight on to walk along the summit edge.
Walkers often stay on the summits to relax for a while but the summit only takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reach the end, there are views of Dark Peak moorlands towards Sheffield with forestation below. The easier route down is to turn left and loop round the back of Higger Tor, then follow the path to the right to the frontside. But the quickest way is to turn right and walk/scramble down a few gaps in the rocks to the path below (not as dog or child friendly).
Step 3 - Carl Wark
Follow the path straight on towards Carl Wark, which is the smaller sloped rock face (in the picture above). It was used as a hill fort going back thousands of years.
Just before you take the rocky path up Carl Wark, there is a little grass area which can also take you left around the gritstone if you’d prefer a ground-level view.
When you get near the top the path will split. For the best views, take the left around the edge of the rock face where you’ll find quirky rock formations like the image above. When you get to the end shortly after, you’ll be met with rocks you can scramble down. Alternatively, follow the edge to the right until you can descend to the left again.
Step 4 - Hathersage Road moor
This takes you down to the Dark Peak moors towards Hathersage Road. If you look into the distance from Carl Wark, you’ll notice a stream and bridge with cars going past. Walk straight on towards it.
As you get closer, veer off to the right of the stream up the hill.
This takes you to Hathersage Road. All you need to do now is follow the road to the right. The moor here can get boggy after heavy rain. There’s a nice bit of forestry with Birch trees you’ll walk through. Just past that, you’ll see Owler Tor to your left, another viewpoint.
Once you reach the gate, go through back into surprise View car park. And that’s a wrap! All the exercise you need in a day while ticking off several Peak District National Park landmarks giving you some of the best Dark Peak moorland walks near Hathersage and Sheffield.
Places to see near Higger Tor
Sheffield
Higger Tor is one of the closest walks by Sheffield. You can drive into the city centre in as little as 20 minutes. Known as ‘steel city’, it shares a mix of green countryside and industrial heritage. Home to the world’s oldest football club, McLaren, Sheffield cathedral, Meadowhall shopping centre, Abbeydale park, and Kelham Island and if you want food and drink.
Bamford Edge
Bamford Edge is accessible from the north side of Stanage Edge and offers the most instagrammable shots of any reservoir in the peak park. The gritstone edge overlooks ladybower reservoir, another enchanting hotspot people flood to throughout the year, but best enjoyed with strong blue skies which give the water a blue appearance.
Hathersage
Hathersage is less than 10 minutes away. The buzzing ‘upmarket’ village is full of great food places and a swanky bar/restaurant at Bank House. Known for its close ties to robin hood and Jane Eyre. Packed with 3 outdoor gear shops to explore some of the best dark peak moorlands or Hathersage stepping stones along the river.
Win Hill
Win Hill is a high point in the Peak District with 360 degree panoramic views of Hope valley, including Stanage in the far distance. Surrounded by moorlands, the heather-filled scenery turns the peak into a vibrant purple in late summer. One of the favourite hikes for a picnic at the top.
Padley Gorge
Padley Gorge is easily accessible from the same starting point going the opposite way towards Grindleford village. Often joined onto a stop at Longshaw Estate for lunch, this beautiful gorge is one of the best autumn walks in the Peak District with a more dynamic change of scenery.
Upper burbage
Upper Burbage is another area near Sheffield on the way to Hathersage. Some walkers closer to the city start at Upper Burbage car park and take the south trail along Burbage West connecting to Higger Tor and Carl Wark. You can then join this walk going back or from step 4 at Hathersage Road take the bridleway to the east loops around Burbage South Valley.