Steve's Walks: Stanage Walk

OS Map: The Peak District, Dark Peak Area, OL1 (1:25000)

Start Grid Reference: GR SK 260830

Walk distance: 8.5 miles

Date walked: 4th September 2011

Time: 4 hours 40 minutes (approx.) with lunch stop

View Stanage Walk in a larger map

This walk takes you to an area enjoyed by many outdoor ethusiasts: walkers (naturally), fell runners, cyclists, mountain bikers and climbers. We started the walk on a wet and misty September day and ended it in the sun.

View over Hathersage Moor

The walk is a fairly high level one with very few ascents or descents. The path crosses the stream at Upper Burbage Bridge and continues along the edge of the valley. Keep to the upper path rather than the more clearly marked lower one. The way marks on the walk are all very obvious. At the one in the photograph below turn left and follow the path to reach Houndkirk Road.

Way mark 3 on Burbage Moor

Houndkirk Road is a wide track with the appearance of a bridleway. In fact motorised transport is allowed to use it, so you might meet four wheel drive jeeps and off-road motorcycles. The majority of the traffic though are the runners, mountain bikers and walkers you might have met earlier.

Houndkirk Hill from Houndkirk Road

At this time of year the moors were full of the very purple heather. The turning off of the road to go alongside Lady Canning's Plantation is very obvious.

Track to Lady Canning's Plantation

After the plantation and having crossed the road, the path continues on towards Brown Edge Farm. There are several paths that could be taken, but they all seem to end at the correct point. The Farm is visible in the distance and you should head for this if you do feel you are lost.

The paths goes through the Farm to the road and then along the side of a stone wall on Rud Hill. This is a permissive path leading to the moor above Redmires Reserviours.

Redmires Reservoirs from White Stones

After the Reservoirs the path follows a track by the side of the wood to reach Stanedge Pole.

Stanedge Pole

A short distance from the Pole, with the weather brightening, Stanage is reached. It is a magnificent edge, poplular with rock climbers and walkers. The views up and down the edge, but there are also wonderful views into the Hope Valley and Edale.