Walking the Gritstone Edges – Hathersage Circular, Stanage, Burbage & Froggatt Edges (14.5 miles/23.5 km)
This great walk offers so much: fabulous iconic sights for the visitor to the Peak District to wonderful contrasts of scenery. Visit the grave of Robin Hood’s lieutenant, Little John, in Hathersage; pass by North Lees Hall (of Bronte sisters fame); seek out Robin Hood’s Cave; and enjoy a marvellous walk of contrasts that take in the gritstone edges of the Peak District on this fabulous walk. This delightful circular route that leads you out of Hathersage takes in the rocky outcrops and edges of Stanage, Burbage and Frogatt and then returns along the green and picturesque River Derwent. If you were to spend just one day of your life walking in the Peak District, this would be the walk to go for.
General Information
Start / Finish Location – Pay & Display Car Park, Odd Fellows Rd, Hathersage, S32 1DU
Distance: 14.5 miles / 23.5 km
Height gain: 1760 ft / 537m
How tough? Anyone with reasonable fitness can manage this, but the route can be easily be shortened or made longer as the day passes
Public Transport: Hathersage railway station / local buses also serve Hathersage
Local pubs we would recommend: The Scotsman’s Pack, Hathersage, S32 1BZ
Personal experiences
One of the great things about this walk is that you can easily adjust the distance as you go depending on how people are doing. And over the years of leading groups along this walk there have been times when I have had to do just that. On one glorious summer’s day my team seemed to be just lapping up the miles. The weather was great and everyone was looking strong, so I kept adding on the distance. We started the day planning to walk 12 miles, and ended up walking 17! As we walked the final mile I couldn’t help but notice one poor member of my team (Jeremy!) was now limping. Wearing a pair of Timberland boots (probably not the best choice for him) his feet were now blistered in the extreme. Still he’d enjoyed the day, and turned up for the next day’s walk too!
Further Reading/Information
Ten GREAT Peak District walks to do
Ten of the Best Peak District Mountain Biking Routes
The Tongue In Cheek History Of The Peak District
Recommended equipment / kit for walking in the UK
What to pack in your first aid kit
Accommodation in Castleton
Accommodation in Youlegrave
Hill and Mountain Weather Advice
Five Grade 1 Scrambles to Get You Started
Top Tips For Footcare
Top Tips to Get Your Children Walking
Walking boots: a new approach
