Trail (UK)

Nine Edges, Peak District

This grand tour of the eastern Peak District links up nine of the National Park’s famous gritstone edges

- JEN & SIM BENSON

If you enjoy company and competitio­n, the best way to traverse these nine classic Peak District edges is to join the official challenge, organised by the Fell Running Associatio­n in September each year. Raising much-needed funds for Edale Mountain Rescue Team, the aim is to complete the 20-mile course at either a walk or a run. For even more of a challenge, there’s also a climbers’ category, which takes in a route of your choice up each edge along the way.

For those who prefer to walk alone, or if the organised event is unable to take place (as happened in 2020 thanks to COVID-19), this similar route makes a tough but fantastica­lly enjoyable self-guided challenge at any time of the year. The distance is slightly longer, at a little over 22 miles, and ticks off the glorious gritstone edges of Derwent, Stanage, Burbage North, Burbage South, Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow, Gardom’s and Birchen.

While linear routes often feel more of an adventure than those that go in circles, they can make for some tricky logistics. Fortunatel­y, a reliable and regular bus service links the start and finish both to each other and to Sheffield.

1

SK172893 Follow the Derwent Reservoir access road north past the dam, then take a small path on the left. Follow this steeply uphill to the top of the of the dam, continuing up to a larger track. Turn left and follow the track along the shore of the reservoir to a path junction at Walker’s Clough.

2

SK173909 Turn right, leaving the reservoir and following the footpath up Walker’s Clough. Cross a path at SK176911, continuing uphill and generally east. At the fork bear left, following the larger path uphill and then around to the right to Lost Lad.

3

SK193912 Continue up the path to Back Tor. Follow the path south (downhill) across a path junction and up to Dovestone Tor on Derwent Edge. Continue south along the edge, descending to a path junction in a slight col just before end of the ridge.

4

SK203880 Turn left, following the path east across Derwent Moor to a path junction. Turn left and follow the main track past Moscar House to reach a road. Cross and follow Sugworth Road opposite for a short distance, then turn right onto the byway called Moscar Cross Road. Follow this to the A57.

5

SK230879

Cross, then turn right and follow the road for a short distance. Turn left onto a footpath (signed Sheffield County Walk). Stay left at the fork, then take a smaller path left after about 1km climbing up above the rocks. Turn right and follow the path all the way along Stanage Edge to the trig point at the far end. Continue on the path, descending to Ringinglow Road.

6

SK259830 Turn left onto Ringinglow Road, crossing Burbage Bridge and following the road around to the right. At a lay-by on the right, turn right onto an obvious footpath, staying left to gain the higher ground along the top of Burbage North. Continue on the path above the edge until the end of the rocky section and a small stream. Cross and follow the path left up to the northern end of Burbage South. Follow the path along the top, descending to the A6187.

7

SK262805

Cross and follow the path opposite, bearing left through the trees to the B6521. Cross and follow the driveway opposite into Longshaw Estate. Follow the main path past the café and south across the estate to the A625. Turn right, following the road to the Grouse Inn, then turn right on a footpath towards Hay Wood. On reaching the woodland, turn left following the edge of the wood south past a car park, across a small stream and up steps to the A625.

8

SK254775 Cross and turn right, following the path through woodland and out onto the moor above Froggatt Edge. Continue on the path south-east along the top of Curbar Edge, descending to Clodhall Lane in Curbar Gap.

9

SK261746 Cross Clodhall Lane and follow the bridleway opposite above Baslow Edge to a path junction. Turn left and follow the byway past

Wellington’s Monument. Continue to Clodhall Lane, turning right and following the road to the junction with the A621.

10

SK278739 Cross the A621 and follow the path right, parallel to the road, to a path junction at the edge of woodland. Turn left, following the path along Gardom’s Edge to a path junction at SK271732. Turn left and walk across moorland to reach a path junction below Birchen Edge. Walk up to the trig point and turn right, following the path along Birchen Edge and past Nelson’s Monument. Continue south along the edge and down through trees to the B6050. Turn right to reach the Robin Hood Inn.

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Path towards Curbar Edge.
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