Sheffield to Bamford or Moscar Lodge via Burbage Rocks and Stanage Edge walk

This walk leads from the centre of one of the most populous British cities through gradually less urban areas into excellent wild walking country (think ancient woodlands, tumbling streams and panoramic views) on to the rugged moorlands and dramatically sculpted gritstone outcrops (or ‘edges’) of the Peak District’s iconic Dark Peak area. All in the one day, on the same walk, just two hours from London.
Escape from Sheffield’s City Centre, first along streets and through the atmospheric landscaped Victorian General Cemetery, then the woodlands of the municipal Endcliffe Park and the narrow wooded Porter Valley to moorlands at the edge of the Peak District for lunch at one of two pubs.
Continue through the Dark Peak area along the Yorkshire/Derbyshire boundary, characterised by rugged, desolate moorland, and the otherworldly gritstone ‘edges’, once extensively quarried for their rough, coarse stone. From Burbage Rocks to the famous Stanage Edge, the route covers a unique landscape, the greatest possible contrast to the start of the walk, before a scenic descent through lush scenery into the Hope Valley to Bamford Station.
An Alternative Ending follows Stanage Edge to its end and descends to a bus stop on the A 57 Manchester Road, with an optional extension to the Ladybower Reservoir and its Inn for a longer stay in the area.

Sheffield (Midland) Station is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 121 mins Mondays-Saturdays, longer on Sundays). Bamford Station is on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester, with a journey time of 24 mins to Sheffield. Hollow Meadows (adj. Moscar Lodge) is a bus stop on lines 257 and 273 (Castleton/Bakewell – Yorkshire Bridge – Sheffield Interchange), with up to 6 buses a day (last bus 18.48 hours Mon-Sun).
Saturday Walkers' Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

To cut some – or all – of the tarmac-heavy urban stretches at the start take one of the bus shortcut options from Sheffield Interchange (see the walk directions for how to get there from the train station). Details about bus frequency, bus stops to use, and the exact walk route once off the bus are provided at the end of the main walk text under ‘Bus Shortcuts’:
cut 1.6 km net: buses 4/4A to Sheffield Cemetery;
cut 3.2 km net: buses 6/65/271/272 to Endcliffe Park;
cut 3.8 km net: bus 120 to Whiteley Wood;
cut 6.2 km net: bus 120 to Forge Dam Café.

An Alternative Start from Grindleford (up Padley Gorge to The Fox House Inn) cuts 10.1 km/6.3 mi.
You can shorten the walk around lunch at The Fox House Inn, cutting 2.9 km/1.8 mi and 165m ascent/descent (lunch would need to be in Ringinglow, or a picnic), this is rated 8/10.
To terminate the walk after lunch at the recommended lunch stop The Fox House Inn, take Buses 271/272 to Sheffield or Bamford stations (hourly during the day and two-hourly evenings, Mon-Sat only).
An Alternative Route between the Fox House Inn and Burbage Bridge, via Carl Wark and Higger Tor, is described.
An Alternative Ending at Moscar Lodge (bus stop) on the A57 Manchester Road follows Stanage Edge to its end (cuts 750m, but adds 45m ascent).
An Extension of the Alternative Ending to the Ladybower Inn in the Derwent Valley enables a longer stay in this excellent walking area (adds 4.2 km and 175m ascent).

Forge Dam Café Carr Forge Dam, Fulwood, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 4GN (0114 230 9248). The Forge Dam Cafe is located 7.0 km (4.4 mi) into the walk on the fringes of Sheffield, on the border of the Peak District and a very early lunch stop. Open daily (except Xmas Day) 09.30-17.00.
The Norfolk Arms 2 Ringinglow Village, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S11 7TS (0114 230 2197). The Norfolk Arms is located 9.2 km (5.7 mi) into the walk and the recommended early lunch stop.Open all day. Food served all day.
The Fox House Inn Hathersage Road, Longshaw, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S11 7TY (01433 630 374). The Fox House is located 13.7 km (8.5 mi) into the walk and the recommended lunch stop. Open 12.00-23.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-22.30 Sun. Food served 12.00-22.00 (-17.00 Sun).
The Anglers Rest Main Road, Bamford, Derbyshire, S33 0DY (01433 659 317). The Anglers Rest is located 1.1 km off-route, 1.2 km from the end of the walk. Open 11.00-late Mon-Sat and 12.00-late Sun. Food served 15.00-21.00 Tue (Pizzas), 18.30-21.00 Wed (Pie Night), 12.00-14.00 and 18.30-21.00 Thu, 12.00-14.00 and 17.00-21.00 Fri (Fish & Chips Night), 12.00-21.00 Sat and 12.00-18.00 Sun. The next door café is open 08.00-17.00 Mon-Sat and 09.00-16.00 Sun.
The Ladybower Inn Bamford, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 0AX (01433 651 241). The Ladybower Inn is a quaint stone pub with rooms (some offering views of the picturesque Ladybower Reservoir) and the destination of the extended Alternative Ending, enabling a longer stay in the area. Open 08.00-23.00 daily. Food served 08.00-21.00 daily.
The Sheffield Tap Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2BP (0114 273 7558). The Sheffield Tap is located within Sheffield Railway Station (in the former Edwardian Refreshment Room & Dining Rooms), and accessed either via Platform 1B or from Sheaf Street. It is noteworthy for its restored early 20th century interior and its selection of quality cask ales and beers from around the world. The bar has won the National Railway Heritage Award and the Cask Ale pub of the year award. Open 11.00-23.00 Sun-Thu and 10.00-24.00 Fri-Sat.

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Oct-20 Thomas G