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

From Sheffield's urban centre through narrow valleys and across wild moorland to the Dark Peak's gritstone edges, and a lush finish into the Hope Valley

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Fri, 22-Apr-22 Friday Walk - Sheffield to Bamford via Burbage Rocks and Stanage Edge [Sheffield/Hope Valley Trip] 17 sunny with occasional clouds and fierce wind on the tops
Fri, 09-Oct-20 c Friday Walk - Sheffield to Ladybower Inn or Bamford [Ladybower Trip] 4 overcast initially then with showers
Sat, 12-Aug-17 Sheffield to Bamford Day Walk PLUS Optional Extras for a Peak District Weekend 24 initially overcast then sunny with cool breeze
Sat, 13-Aug-16 Saturday Third Walk - The Dark Peak: Sheffield to Bamford (via Burbage Rocks & Stanage Edge) 18 dry sunny overcast at times better
Length: 25.5 km (15.9 mi) [shorter or longer walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 645/548 m
Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ¾ hours
Toughness: 7 out of 10
Meet at Sheffield Train Station (City Centre Exit) at 10.10.
From the Hope Valley stations, the train arrives at 10.05.
From London, take the 08.03 Sheffield train from St. Pancras International, arriving Sheffield at 10.01. [Or take a later train and play catch-up, tickets will be cheaper.]
Return trains up the Hope Valley depart on xx.36/(.35).
Return trains down the Hope Valley to Sheffield: xx.42 to 19.42, then 21.41, 22.28, 23.12. The last one with a connection to London is the 19.42!
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.

Walk Options (see the webpage or the pdf for details):
An Alternative Start from Grindleford (up Padley Gorge to The Fox House Inn) cuts 10.1 km/6.3 mi.
A Shortcut on the moors is possible, and there are also plenty of bus routes that can cut off bits of the walk.
An Alternative Route from the Fox House Inn to Burbage Bridge leads over Carl Wark and Higger Tor.
An Alternative Ending at Moscar Lodge (bus stop) on the A57 Manchester Road follows Stanage Edge to its end for a bus back to Sheffield (Line 257 at 16.13/17.13/18.13).
Elenvenses and Lunch: Forge Dam Café at the Carr Forge Dam (7.0 km/4.4 mi into the walk); The Norfolk Arms in Ringinglow (9.2 km/5.7 mi into the walk, food all day); The Fox House Inn at Longshaw (13.7 km/8.5 mi into the walk, food all day).
Tea: The Anglers Rest in Bamford (1.1 km off-route, 1.2 km from the end of the walk).
For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.266
  • 22-Apr-22

    14 at the station, incl. 1 up from London for the day, 1 taking a bus shortcut to pick up the route at the Forge Dam, 1 joining from his hotel en route, 1 starting from the alternative start point at Grindleford and meeting us at the lunch pub, ie 17 . One of those ran most of the route.

    It was a day for layering of clothes, as it was sunny with occasional clouds and fierce wind on the tops . A couple of diversions were needed in the Victorian Cemetery and at Firge Dam, both for refurbishment works (Friends of the Porter Valley have finally raised enough funds to clear the Dam of decades of silt buildup). The parks and the Porter Valley had some bluebells (not quite at their best), still some celandines and loads of wood anemones in very good condition. Also swathes of wild garlic, some in flower.

    2 took the across Burbage Moor shortcut, the rest reached the Fox House Inn at 13.15 and most ate there. Some picnickers joined us and we commenced together, only for half then taking the route over Carl Wark and Higger Tor instead of the norm route.

    Views from the edges were fantastic today and plenty of rock climbers were to be admired, but the cold wind kept moving us on so to avoid getting too cold. In Bamford, half went to the Anglers Rest, the others got the 17.42 train.

Length: 29.7 km (18.4 mi) [shorter versions possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 935/768m; Net Walking Time: ca. 7 ½ hours
Toughness: 10 out of 10
Take the 09.02 Sheffield train from St. Pancras I’nal, arrives Sheffield 11.01.
Return bus to Sheffield: 18.45 (line 275), calls Hollow Meadows, adjacent to Moscar Lodge at 18.47.
Return bus to Sheffield: 18.23 (line 276), calls Hollow Meadows, adjacent to Moscar Lodge at 18.25.
Update: the last bus out of the Ladybower/Moscar Lodge area is now the 17.00 hours line 275 from Ladybower Inn (16.58 Moscar Lodge) to Bamford Station or Hathersage (connecting buses to Sheffield), so anyone staying in Sheffield and not wanting to use a taxi to Bamford Station at the end, should walk the Bamford Ending of the walk.
Return trains to Sheffield from Bamford: xx.42 to 20.42, then 21.41, 22.28, 23.11.
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.
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 PorterValley 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.
Our Alternative Ending today follows Stanage Edge to its end and descends to a bus stop by Moscar Lodge on the A57 Manchester Road and then continues to the Ladybower Reservoir and its Inn for a longer stay in the area.
Walk Options:
Buses at the start (from Sheffield Interchange) can cut the route by up to 6.2 km, see the pdf for details.
Finish the walk along its normal route in Bamford at the train station (25.5 km/15.9 mi with 760/663m ascent/descent, 9/10).
An Alternative Start from Grindleford Station (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).
An Alternative Route between the Fox House Inn and Burbage Bridge, via Carl Wark and Higger Tor, is described.
Finish at Moscar Lodge bus stop on the A57: 24.7 km/15.4 mi [you’d have to hitch-hike to Ladybower or Sheffield though, as there are no late afternoon buses on weekdays].

Elenvenses/Lunch:
Forge Dam Café (Forge Dam, Sheffield, 7.0 km/4.4 mi, open 09.30-17.00);
The Norfolk Arms (Ringinglow, 9.2 km/5.7 mi, open all day, food served all day);
The Fox House Inn (Longshaw, 13.7 km/8.5 mi, open 12.00-23.00, food served 12.00-22.00).
Tea Bamford Ending: The Anglers Rest Bamford (open all day, fish & chips from 17.00).
Tea Ladybower Ending: The Ladybower Inn Ashopton, Hope Valley (open all day, food all day).
For walk directions, map, photos, height profile and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.266.c
  • 01-Oct-20

    Sheffield stayers: if your accommodation is off route, luggage drop-off near Sheffield Station can be found and booked on leftit.co.uk or radicalstorage.com

  • 09-Oct-20

    Just 2 starting from Sheffield, with 1 more taking the connecting train to Grindleford and walking up Padley Gorge to pick up the route at Carl Wark. 1 car driver started at the Ladybower Inn and walked up to Bamford Edge and then Stanage Edge to pick up the route there. 1 took a later train, intending to start from Grindleford and join at the Fox House Inn, but train delays stifled that plan and we don't know what he did next.

    The weather was overcast to about 13.15, then we had the first of several rain/and or hail fronts moving through, combined with a biting wind. After the recent wet weather, the Porter Brook and Burbage Brook were quite lively, and there were some amazing cloudscapes visible from Stanage Edge in the afternoon, made more special late on when lit red by the setting sun.

    Having had a couple of nourishment stops in Sheffield and lunch at the Fox House, we arrived at the LB Inn just after 7.

    A tremendous day, assuming one had functioning waterproofs.

    4 overcast initially then with showers

SWC 266: Sheffield to Bamford: From Urban Conurbation to the Wild Moorland of the Dark Peak T=SWC.266

Distance: 15.9 Miles or 25.5 km for those more metrically minded with shorter options available

Difficulty: 10 out of 10 (or 8 out of 10 for the short options)

Train: Take the 8:58 AM East Midlands train to Sheffield from London St. Pancras, arriving at Sheffield at 10:59. Return trains from Bamford are at 18:44 or 19:42, which connect with trains back to London in Sheffield at 19:29 and 20:29, respectively…. Since Sheffield lies outside the Network Southeast Area, it is recommended to purchase Advance Tickets -- if still available.

This fascinating walk commences in the city center of one of Britain’s most populous cities and takes you on a journey to the wild moorland of the Dark Peak with its dramatic gritstone outcroppings (or Edges) before making a steep descent to Bamford in the lush Hope Valley. The route cleverly brings you from the heart of the city, through an atmospheric Victorian cemetery and increasingly wild urban parkland before suddenly popping out onto remote moorland which should be ablaze in purple heather at this time of year. In complete contrast to the morning, the walk then continues through this rugged territory along the dramatic Burbage Rocks and Stanage Edge with stunning views far and wide. All of this – only 2 hours from London!

It is possible to shorten the walk by 1.8 miles/2.9 km by taking a more direct route across the moorland which by-passes the recommended lunch pub – so you would need to have lunch at the early lunch pub or bring a picnic. Alternatively, you could cut out some of the more urban stretches at the beginning by taking a bus to one of the various points along the morning route suggested in the walk instructions under Bus Shortcuts. You can find more information about the walk (and the shortcut options) and download the walk instructions here.

The recommended lunch pub for the main walk is the Fox House Inn (01433 630 374 and http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshire/thefoxhouselongshaw) with dramatic views and located 8.5 miles/13.7 km into the main walk. Food is served all afternoon. For those doing the shorter walk option, lunch could be had at The Norfolk Arms (0114 230 2197 and http://www.norfolkarms.com) which is located 5.7 miles/9.2 km into the walk.

Tea and afternoon/evening refreshies can be had at the Anglers Rest in Bamford where we can also discuss some of the various route options for the Sunday Kinder Scout walk. Trains run hourly to Edale and towards Sheffield until about 19:36 (Hope/Edale)/19:42 (Hathersage/Sheffield), then at 20:59 and 22:45 (Edale) and 21:42 and 23:11 (Hathersage/Sheffield).

Also, as previously contemplated, for those wishing to extend their stay, we will plan to do a map-led Kinder Scout walk (a Peak District classic) on the Sunday 13 August with a start time of 9:48 AM at Edale Station. You should plan to stay somewhere in the Hope Valley – Edale, Bamford or Hathersage. If unable to find suitable accommodation in any of these places, Sheffield itself would also work. There is a train that leaves Sheffield at 9:14 AM on Sunday stopping at various places in the Hope Valley before arriving in Edale at 9:48. If planning to do the Kinder Scout walk and leave on Sunday, you should book an evening train from Edale (say 18:30ish or later) back on Sunday. Also, note, for the walks on Sunday, you should bring a picnic as there are no pubs on the higher terrain.

Some will also be staying over to Monday for more walking with a probable route being from Edale (with 9:48 AM start time to meet those taking the train) to Hope along the Great Ridge....again, bring a packed lunch..... If you have any questions, please email goepfertkarenATyahooDOTcom.

Enjoy the walk(s) and look forward to seeing you there!


  • Anonymous
    19-Apr-17
  • 13-Aug-17

    Many a different approaches to this walk today: 10 started the full walk from Sheffield station, 6 took a bus to the Forge Dam Cafe to pick up the walk there, 3 took a connecting train to Grindleford, meeting another 2 there, and climbing to the lunch pub from there, 2 had overnighted in Sheffield and started at different times, 1 took a later train, took the bus to Forge Dam and joined the other shortcutters there.

    So in total 24 in initially overcast then sunny with cool breeze weather.

    Having done this walk on the exact same weekend last year, what was the biggest surprise was how different the heather wasbon the moors: a riot of purple and pink, for kilometres on end, easily the best heather display I have ever witnessed.

    Lunch was quick and fine, at the Fox House Inn. The views stunning in the afternoon across the Hope Valley to the Kinder Scout plateau.

    Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the walk, and all paid the Anglers Rest a visit at the end, some having dinner. Then everyone dispersed to their destinations, be they London, Edale, Hathersage or Sheffield. Or so we thought. The next Sheffield was cancelled, a supposed replacement bus never materialised, so 6 of us had a 2 hour wait for the scheduled bus service. And that was one of the highlights of the day, as it was full of testosterone filled and alcohol fueled village youth on way to their Saturday night out in town. Noisiest bus journey ever?

  • 13-Aug-17

    Oh... 2 of the 6 were supposed to connect to London, but the last train had gone. Supposedly they were taxied down to the Smoke...

  • Anonymous
    13-Aug-17

    Yes confirm that two found taxi waiting at Sheffield and back to London around two am. Adventurous end to an excellent day. Sylvia

  • Anonymous
    14-Aug-17

    To Karen,Thomas and all the participants - thank you so much for a great week-end in the Peak District.

  • 14-Aug-17

    20 stayed on to do a Sunday walk up from Edale station up onto Kinder Scout. Nearly all of us took the tough but exhilarating route up Grindsbrook Clough. Seven then went on to do a twelve mile walk around the perimeter of the vast plateau, descending via the Nab, while ten of us did a much shorter section of the plateau edge and descended to the valley via the Pennine Way. At least two did a reverse version of this, hoping also to climb Mam Tor on the other side of the valley in the afternoon, but time ran out on them. The weather started sunny, got cloudier but then was sunny for a time in the afternoon. Lots took evening trains back to London.

    Only six of us remained to walk on Monday, a few other having peeled off due to blisters, other social engagements etc. It was cloudy but got sunnier as the morning developed. The afternoon was rather greyer (though with a patch of sun always on the Hope Valley) but threatened rain never materialised. Our route took us along the Grand Ridge along the south of the Vale of Edale - across Lord's Seat, Rushup Edge, Mam Tor, Hollins Cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill, then down to the village of Hope. After tea or stronger drinks, two got the 4.40pm train from there, others the 5.40pm. And so back to civilisation.

SWC Walk 266 Sheffield to Bamford or Moscar Lodge: From the urban centre through narrow wooded valleys to moorlands and the famous gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, then a lush descent into the Hope Valley
Length: 25.5 km (15.9 mi) [shorter option: 22.6 km/14.1 mi]
Ascent/Descent: 760 m; Net Walking Time: ca. 7 ½ hours [short walk: 595 m, 6 ½ hrs]
Toughness: 10 out of 10 (short walk: 8 out of 10)
08.58 East Midland Trains’ Sheffield train from St. Pancras International (Platforms 1-4 in the upper NW corner of the station), arrives Sheffield 10.59 (Advance tickets are selling at £19.50 at the moment). Return 19.42 from Bamford, connecting to the 20.29 from Sheffield (due to railworks on the day: change East Midlands Parkway and arrive St. Pancras 23.15), Advance tickets from Bamford are selling at £17.50 at the moment. Note: the higher cost of rail tickets is somewhat offset by the lower cost of food and drink ‘Oop North’.
Or make it a longer stay: stay in the area and do some more walking. You could either join us for a walk-check of New Walk 267 Sheffield Circular (via south westerly valleys) on Sunday [see separate posting]; or you could choose the Moscar Lodge ending of this walk, walk the extension to the Ladybower Inn, and stay there for a bit; or finish in Bamford and take a westbound train to Hope or Edale, in the heart of the Peak District, or east to Hathersage.
New Walk! We will take the opportunity to check the walk directions.
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. Options to cut out much or all of the tarmac-heavy urban walking are described.
! As some punters are already travelling on Friday, or on an earlier Saturday train: let's meet in the main station hall (City Centre Exit), just outside the ticket barriers !
The recommended early lunch stop is The Norfolk Arms in Ringinglow (9.2 km/5.7 mi).
The recommended lunch stop is The Fox House in Longshaw (13.7 km/8.5 mi).
The tea stop in Bamford, The Anglers Rest, is off-route and only recommended, if you are about to miss the next train (they are hourly).
The highly recommended tea stop in Sheffield Station is The Sheffield Tap. There is also a well-stocked supermarket in the station.
For summary, map, height profile, photos, walk directions and gpx/kml files click here.
Many thanks to Stargazer and Paul A. for invaluable help during the walk research.
T=swc.266
  • 05-Jul-16

    and, this is the perfect time to try out this new and interesting walk, as the heather on the moorland should be in full bloom......

  • 25-Jul-16

    Update: to my knowledge, at least 12 people have booked, about half staying in Sheffield, some in Hathersage, the rest returning to The Smoke

  • Anonymous
    28-Jul-16

    hi Thomas i have booked for the Friday night as well as Sat. do you know if there are bus links back to sheffield city at the end of Saturday's walk please ?

    cheers

  • Anonymous
    28-Jul-16

    am interested in this expedition.

    sounds really good.

    Where are people staying in Hathersage/ JFK

  • 01-Aug-16

    reg. bus back: see the pdf under 'Transport'...from Bamford there is the hourly train to Sheffield, but also a bus, from Moscar Lodge there is only a bus (last at 18.46)

  • Anonymous
    03-Aug-16

    managed to get ticket to Edale for £16 on 12thAugust jfk

  • 04-Aug-16

    I see we have to ford a stream, so does that mean boots rather than walking shoes essential?

  • 04-Aug-16

    Boots, definitely. Because of the gritstone and some bouldery stretches. It's WILD up on them moors... The fording is a doddle.

  • Anonymous
    06-Aug-16

    Have to had to cancel due to illness and hoping to sell on my cheapo discount tickets ? outward journey mid morning FRIDAY and return Sunday evening. The thing is --tickets have to be used with a RAILCARD OF A CERTAIN ILK -- otherwise they won't work unfortunately.

    any interest pls post here soonish. Thanks

  • Anonymous
    08-Aug-16

    Re the post below, how much are the tickets please and which railcard do they need to be used with, Senior or Network Railcard?

  • Anonymous
    08-Aug-16

    £31 total but sorry Anon they can't be used with either of those railcards

  • Anonymous
    09-Aug-16

    Which Railcard can they be used with?

  • Anonymous
    10-Aug-16

    skyisblue251@gmail.com

  • Anonymous
    10-Aug-16

    Hope to see some of you in Hathersage Saturday evening.

    jfk

  • 12-Aug-16

    Intend going.

  • Karen
    15-Aug-16

    18 dry sunny overcast at times better than expected

    The majority of the the group rendezvoused at the station (at least one popped up later in the walk.) We made our way through the suburbs of Sheffield, passing interesting graffiti, Victorian mausoleums, emerging hipster enclaves and eventually through busy parks with interesting histories. A brief pause at the Forge Dam cafe and then on to the countryside that quickly delivered steep inclines and dry stone walls. The highlight of the morning section was long meandering path through Lady Canning's Plantation. The heather was in bloom and it was simply gorgeous. A delightful three kilometers through this gorgeous landscape surrounded by purple and greens, greys and browns, and a lovely blue sky.

    Lunch for most at the Fox House Inn. Service was prompt and the food was good. Everyone was well set up for an afternoon of skipping across moors and rocks. An initial steep climb, and then fairly flat, but across rocks to Cowper Stone where everyone paused to admire the views. This walker was a first-timer to the area and was beyond impressed with the landscape. (Might be a different story on a wet day...) Moving on from Cowper Stone, for a few kilometers, you could enjoy the views and the landscape without worrying about consulting directions. Keep the drop on your left and you should be OK....

    Most regrouped at the recommended pub in Bamford. Some returned to London, others to other villages nearby and and 9 returned to Sheffield. Drinks at the Sheffield Tap, dinner at Pizza Express and then back to hotel rooms with a meeting-up time of 09:45 at Sheffield Station the next morning. (To be continued...)

  • Anonymous
    15-Aug-16

    An interesting introduction to the Peaks from the Sheffield side.a trifle challenging . However managed to recuperate by visiting Chatsworth on sunday and listening to lovely Silver Band music in the Rose Garden and wandering the Estate grounds partly in a chariot drawn by beautiful shire horses.

    jfk.

    For any one interested in doing this a bus goes up to Chatsworth from Sheffield every half hour and manages to jump the car parking queues and a lot of the traffic.

  • 15-Aug-16

    Memo for future postings of this walk: with elenvenses, (shortish) pub lunch and plenty of stops for admiring the views, we could have all gotten the 18.42 train from Bamford, had we wanted to.