Words & Photos Jamie Smith

January 01 2010

In autumn Padley Gorge is an absolute joy. The paths are covered in a wealth of vibrant colour as trees shed their cover – gleaming in the low bright sunshine; crunching underfoot. With Burbage Brook tumbling and falling through the narrow confines of the valley floor, the ascent to Lawrence Field was delightful.

A gentle amble through the remnants of the summer heather brought me to a viewpoint overlooking the valley containing Hathersage and Castleton beyond. While the villages were waking to sunshine, the surrounding hills were still clinging to low cloud.

I moved on, crossing the A6187, to stroll beneath Millstone Edge. It was deserted – the climbers who enjoy the towering cliffs above were yet to arrive at the disused quarry. A minor scramble at its northern end safely deposited me onto the wide open moor, with just a short walk to reach Over Owler Tor.

Gaining height brought a cool and gusty wind, which gathered in energy. I lingered just long enough to ponder the day’s route ahead of me. Making good speed heading north, I arrived at the foot of Higger Tor. The rocky flanks provided a little route-finding work, numerous paths weaving their way to the top. From the summit though, the view was extensive. To the east Win Hill, Lose Hill and the Mam Tor ridge; sweeping north, Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, and continuing round to Stanage Edge. All were now lit by the low but bright sun.

Moving steadily on, I dropped off Higger Tor and headed over to Stanage Edge. This fine gritstone playground was alive with local cragsmen. The path took me easily to the trig point, where I stood surveying the view that lay before me. Soon though I had company as a group of 30 plus wandered by. Letting the traffic move away, I followed shortly afterwards, to my next destination, Upper Burbage Bridge. Here the crowds dispersed, and I found myself alone once more, locating a path that runs along the top of Burbage Rocks. It’s close to the edge, so again the views were outstanding – across the valley Higger Tor and Carl Walk were bathed in sunshine.

Burbage Rocks came to an abrupt end, so I dropped down to one of the lower paths, taking time to survey the cliffs that rose above. It seemed a shame not to make the most of the remaining daylight and I decided the Longshaw Estate would provide the best opportunity for more views. The route took me past Longshaw Lodge, dating back to the 1830s and once a shooting lodge, now converted to flats. Passing through fields and woodland the late sunshine lit up the valley, before I descended the wooded hillside back into Padley.

Distance: 8.5miles/14km Ascent: 1600ft/490m Time: 4-5 hours Start/finish: Nether Padley (GR: SK 251787) Maps: Harvey Superwalker, Dark Peak; Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer sheet OL1 (Peak District – Dark Peak Area) Information: Bakewell, 01629 816558 Travel: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/buses

Technical Spec
Down hill, cross rail bridge & brook. Take turn on R signed ‘Padley Gorge via Longshaw Estate’. Steep track through gate. Continue N to SK 255795. Turn L taking path on N side of wall and follow onto moor then viewpoint. Road round corner then cross to path beneath Millstone Edge. N then climb E to Over Owler Tor, then path N over Higger Tor. Descend & cross road taking path NW over Callow Bank. Cross road. Path NW onto Stanage Edge. E past trig point and cross Upper Burbage Bridge. Higher path along top of Burbage Rocks, S to cross A6187. Gate into woods, turn L for Longshaw. Cross road and follow access road. Path beneath Lodge. At gate, path on L, through 2nd gate onto top path. At 258785, cross stile, path W, cross 2 streams, climb path beside wall. Through gate on right. Path through woods to side road. R to cross B6521. R then path on L to start.