Stanage Edge is a stunning gritstone edge in the Peak District. Standing 25 metres tall and 458 metres above sea level, the cliff formation stretches a whopping 3 miles from The Dale northeast of Hathersage to the east of Ladybower reservoir and Bamford Edge. Visitors flock to Stanage all-year round as the famous peak is a hotspot for walking and widely considered to be one of the best places for rock climbing in the UK. Starring in TV series and films such as Pride and Prejudice, the scene’s rugged beauty is amplified by surrounding Dark Peak moorlands, which turn the landscape brown for autumn, winter and early spring. Ring ouzels (mountain blackbirds with white chests) travel all the way from Africa to raise a family in the crevices of these rocks. Luckily, your journey will be much shorter.
Stanage Edge Walk Details
Moderate
02:45
5.1 mi
+/-292m
Gear: Outdoor gear is recommended. Walking shoes provide grip for rocky surfaces, waterproof trousers and shoes protect you from boggy paths, and packing a waterproof coat is handy as there are extended periods without shelter from the rain. There are 3 outdoor shops next to the starting point in Hathersage to get everything you need for hiking and climbing.
Dogs: Well behaved should be kept on the lead as there may be cars in lanes and livestock in the fields. Big dogs and people may struggle to get over narrow stile gaps, in which case take a small detour mentioned in the step 2 below.
Local rules: National Park Authority states that visitors of Stanage-North Lees Estate must keep dogs on the lead, leave no trace for litter or dog waste, close and re-latch opened gates and avoid wild camping, campfires and BBQs.
Why go in this trail?
It is a picturesque circular walk so every moment is unique. Hathersage is the most accessible starting point for anyone without a car. The village has rich heritage with ties to Robin Hood and the author Charlotte Bronte, whose frequent visits inspired her iconic novel, Jane Eyre. This route brings key pieces of their history together along the way including Little John’s grave, Robin Hood’s cave, and the Eyre family’s home at North Lees Hall. Complete the story in one trip with food and drink at a 500-year old coaching inn, The George.
Elevation: Stanage Edge height is 458 metres above sea level. The way there is a steady incline and going back is a steady decline, covering 292 metres. Walking along Stanage Edge viewpoint is pretty flat but the ground is uneven.
Terrain: The walk from Hathersage to Stanage Edge consists of mostly quiet lanes. A few small areas may turn into mud puddles near and at the peak when it rains. The summit is a long dirt path with boulders protruding from the ground.
Stiles: Gap stile
Supplies (in Hathersage):
- Texaco station Spar
- OneStop
- Go Outdoors
- Outside
- Alpkit
- Hathersage Pharmacy
Toilets:
- Hathersage visitor centre (back)
- Hollin Bank public toilets
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 George hotel
- Little John hotel
- The Scotsman’s pack
- The Millstone Country Inn
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.
How hard is it to walk up Stanage Edge?
Walking up to the summit of Stanage Edge is easy because the nearby car parks are already near the summit. Hooks Carr is the most accessible entrance with a steady 68 metre elevation over a quarter of a mile to the top, which you can do in 5 minutes.
Does Stanage Edge have a trig point?
There are two trig points on each end of the escarpment. The south end is easily accessible on this walk. From Hooks Carr entrance, head up towards the right side of the edge, where you can see the millstones and trig point engraved into a rock (Close grid ref: SK 250 830, W3W: venue.goad.remind. The highest trig point is at High Neb on the far north side near to Bamford Edge and Ladybower reservoir to the west (Grid ref: SK 22816 85344, W3W: hung.artist.called). There is a third going towards Redmires reservoir via Stanage Pole. If you continue straight instead of descending the summit in step 6, there’s a path to the right shortly after heading northeast.
What village is nearest to Stanage Edge?
Hathersage is the closest village, which is amazing for pubs, food places and staying overnight.
Where was Pride and Prejudice filmed on Stanage Edge?
The iconic filming location for the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie where Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet) stood on this Edge, is now a popular spot for visitors known as Keira Knightley Rock. Take your own pics around a mile north of the Hooks Carr entrance on this walk at Stanage Plantation. You’ll notice a bunch of trees in the moorlands just below. View on Google Maps, Grid ref: SK 24153 84104, W3W: slides.status.bids.
Does Stanage Edge get busy?
Yes, it can get very busy during warm weather and almost guaranteed during peak times from spring to autumn. But footfall is modest on a weekday and quiet in the winter.
Can I cycle along Stanage Edge?
You won’t be able to cycle along this route but it’s possible to go mountain biking across the summit. Though, it’s not ideal with the amount of walkers on the path and getting up and down will likely require you to dismount of the bike.
Stanage Edge Map Route
Step 1 - Baulk Lane in Hathersage
From the Alpkit building in Hathersage, walk down Baulk lane for a few minutes until you reach a gate and tree signposted ‘to the church’ going off to the right.
Go through the gate and head straight up to St Michael and All Angels church where you’ll find the grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s second in command, to your right at the entrance. Then continue in the same direction on to Church bank.
Step 2 - Church Bank
When you come out onto Church Bank, take a right and then sharp left uphill at the bend and continue up Church Bank lane. Note: During dry conditions you can also take a left out the church and through a gate straight ahead, then follow the path and field straight on for a cross country shortcut.
After 5-10 minutes you may notice a split into 2 paths. Stick to the lane veering left as the other path is narrow and overgrown. Following the path from Church Bank, you’ll reach a large gate labelled Carr Head farm.
Note: There is a narrow entry way down this route (although you may be able to open the gate), so if you have larger dogs or persons in the group consider a detour going up the grass ledge to the right of the gate, through the small field and then left to Leveret Lane. Turn left and rejoin step 3 from the opposite direction.
The cobbled path to the right looks like a private driveway but it’s actually a public path so continue following upwards.
Note: The small gate above is where you come from if taking the cross country trail from church bank.
Step 3 - Leveret Lane
When you reach the top of Leveret lane it will become flat and there will be a gate to your left. Go through and continue straight for a scenic shortcut to The Dale with sweeping views of Stanage Edge ahead.
Step 4 - Hooks Carr Car Park
When you reach the gate going on to The Dale, turn left on the main road and then left again at the next road shortly after to Hook’s Carr Car park. Stick to the right and cut off to the right down the trail path. You can usually see people are going up and down long before you reach this point.
Step 5 - Going up Stanage Edge
Follow the path up the hill until you reach the top. Towards the summit the path splits into two. You can go right to the Stanage Edge millstones scattered on the floor and then turn left back up the summit, or skip them to save yourself from adding an extra 15 minutes onto the walk.
Go north along Stanage for just under a mile (15-20 minutes) enjoying the epic moorland views. Look out for a slope going downwards on the cliff edge after 5 minutes as this is Robin Hood’s cave. It can be a little crowded at peak times.
Step 6 - Going down Stanage Edge
The exit point isn’t entirely clear as it slopes down slightly to the left, but it’s the only one so make sure to spot it. Near the turn off point there are a few paths to the right going onto Long Causeway, a medieval road to Stanage Pole. The pole was used as a geographical boundary marker for centuries but will also add 18 minutes onto your journey there and back.
Once you’ve turned off Stanage Edge, follow the path downwards back round the way you came until you reach a gate. Go through and keep going all the way to the bottom. When you reach grasslands the path splits into two. Veer to the left until you reach the road.
Step 7 - Hollin Bank public toilets
Where you get to the road, Hollin Bank public toilets are on your right when you cross the road. Go straight on through the gate signposted to Hathersage. Note: If you parked at Hook’s Carr, instead turn left and follow the road back to the car park.
Step 8 - To North Lees Hall
You’ll now enter a woodlands area. Go down the steps and turn right. After a few minutes you’ll get to a gate. The grass path will split into two. Veer left down the field to the next gate. From here you can see North Lees Hall with an information board on your right. Go left around the house and down the open country lane for several minutes until you reach the gate at the bottom.
Step 9 - Birley Lane
Now you’ll end up on Birley Lane. Turn right down the road. There is a stunning property called Bronte cottage while you walk along. shortly after there is a gate to the left taking you off the road. Go through into the field.
Step 10 - Off-road path to Baulk Lane
The final stretch of the journey is a straight path through a series of gates and fields almost guaranteed to have sheep roaming near you. After 15 you’ll reach your last gate next to a few houses going onto Baulk lane. Go straight and you’ll see Hathersage cricket club soon after. This takes you back to the starting point on the village main road.
Places to see near Stanage Edge
Sheffield
Stanage Edge is right next to 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 within walking distance 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.
Higger Tor
Many walkers start at Surprise View car park above Hathersage and walk to Stanage Edge in a trilogy of gritstones, each elevating to a higher and more dramatic level. Head to Carl Wark hillfort, then Higger Tor and finally Stanage Edge. Higger Tor is smaller, easier and quieter offering many of the same qualities.
Upper burbage
Upper Burbage is another area near Sheffield on the way to Hathersage. It’s under appreciated and easily accessible from Stanage east side. Walking along from Upper Burbage car park to Burbage West is a nice and simple short walk or follow the ‘secret’ trail north to discover some interesting rock coves to hide in.
Stanage Edge Car Parks
It’s perfectly fine to do a linear walk along Stanage Edge from one of the car parks that join onto it. The biggest car park is Hollin Bank, which also has some roadside parking nearby if full. The closest access and near the millstones is on the east side at Hooks Carr car park. There’s much more limited space so it will be full during peak times in warm weather. If you want to start towards the north side or head to Bamford Edge, park at Dennis Knoll car park on Hollin Bank road.