Stanage Edge Route 2
Awesome and magnificent are the words that best describe one of the finest, most breathtaking walks in the Dark Peak,
Tiptoe along this iconic escarpment
Stanage Edge is well-known to visitors of the Peak District, and most will approach via North Lees to gain access to one of the longest rock faces in the country. There is another way though, one that starts with the descent of the magnificent Wyming Brook gorge, the path crossing back and forth over a tumbling stream, whilst huge Scots pines tower above – a scene that could be found in Yosemite National Park in the USA.
The route passes over moorland and by a tall rock tower that stands sentinel-like in the landscape before gently delivering you onto Stanage Edge and the awesome sight of The Great Ridge, Mam Tor and Kinder Scout beyond. If you are in luck there may even be a cloud inversion. The walk abounds with historical and geological interest. Look out for the strange grouse water bowls carved into rock boulders, each one numbered and adorned with intricate channels to guide water into a pool. And of course Stanedge Pole (note the spelling) a boundary marker of political, geographical and ecclesiastical importance. Finally a poignant memorial to the fallen in WWI stands guard over training trenches used by the men of Sheffield.
1 SK256856 Take the north-east path out of the car park at Wyming Brook and follow it down the gorge, crossing the brook several times and stopping to admire the amazing waterfalls. At the bottom exit onto a wide track and follow it north-west for 2km until the track doubles back on a hairpin bend.
2 SK262874 Take the footpath upstream along the right bank of the stream until you come to a signpost indicating the way to Head Stone Bank. Follow it across the bridge and ascend moorland, paying a visit to the Head Stone on the right. Retrace your steps to the footpath and continue south until you reach a stile by a metal gate. Cross the stile onto the track then go immediately right over a second stile and follow the track until you come to a small reservoir with a derelict house across the stream.
3 SK248863 Do not cross the metal bridge to the house but go left, walking along the top of the small dam then up a grass banking following a shooting track south-west to a small stream. Cross the stream and walk up the hill towards the left-hand corner of a walled tree plantation. Walk along the shooting track clockwise around the outside of the walled plantation until it arrives at a wall heading south-west. Follow the track along this wall, keeping it and High Lad Ridge on your right at all times, until it eventually meets a tumbled down wall running south-east above a steep bank.
4 SK237854 Follow the track down the grassy bank, then ascend the moor in a westerly direction heading for a building on the skyline. As you near the building veer right to arrive at High Neb triangulation pillar on Stanage Edge. Go left and head south-east along Stanage Edge until you meet the Long Causeway coming up from your right. Join this ancient track and keep left where the paths fork, moving away from the edge and eventually heading east to arrive at Stanedge Pole. From this ancient boundary marker go north-east down a well-made track until you reach a road. Go left along the road, keeping Redmires Reservoir on your right until you arrive at a car park on the left obscured by trees.
5 SK256856 Take the footpath to the right of the car park north, until you arrive back at the track junction encountered earlier on in the day.
6 SK256867 Go south-east along the track until your way is blocked by a metal gate. Go east, down through the gate to your left and follow the wall across the moor until you arrive at the entrance to woodland. 7 SK270865 Head into the woods and follow the path down to emerge onto a wide track. Go right and follow the track back to Wyming Brook car park.