Hathersage Circular via Bretton Clough and Eyam Walk

Centred on Hathersage, an attractive village in the Hope Valley surrounded by the ringed cliffs of the Stanage and Millstone edges as well as the ancient iron-age hill fort of Carl Wark and the distictive Higger Tor on Burbage Moor, this walks leads through some outstandingly beautiful scenery: delightful meadows with a jigsaw of drystone walls and other signs of small-scale livestock farming, rolling hills backed by open moorland and the deep wooded valleys of the Highlow Brook (one of the few remaining in the Peak District with the remains of ancient oakwoods) and the Bretton Clough with their fast flowing streams. You have magnificent views all day (weather permitting).
The middle part follows the geological fault line between the Dark and White Peak areas along the Eyam and Hucklow Edges with tremendous views into the Hope Valley and then descends through a wood into it, where you pass plenty of signs of its mining heritage: (now grassy) spoil heaps and fenced-off unstable ground suffering from subsidence.
You eventually reach the famous plague village of Eyam with its tea options. Rise up steeply from Eyam to cross the heathery blanket peat bog of Eyam Moor (along a clear path), and – after one last steep descent and partial re-ascent through a remote green valley – re-cross the Derwent River back into Hathersage.

A Shortcut down from the Hucklow Edge to Foolow cuts out Great Hucklow, this cuts 2.2 km/1.3 mi and 61m ascent and is rated 6/10.
Buses from Great Hucklow, Foolow or Eyam to Sheffield or Hope enable a finish after 10.0 km/6.2 mi, 11.9 km/7.4 mi or 14.4 km/9.0 mi respectively, with – between them – many buses on Mondays-Saturdays and a few on Sundays: currently these are Lines 65 (to Sheffield Interchange), 66 (to Chesterfield), 100 (to Bamford), 173 (Great Hucklow only, to Hope) and 257 (to Hathersage, Bamford & Sheffield Interchange).
A Variation in the Morning routes out of the Bretton Clough up the Abney Clough and around Abney Low to re-join the route in Nether Bretton, this adds 1.7 km and 50m ascent.
A short but tough out-and-back to the Wet Withens Bronze Age stone circle and the Eyam Moor Barrow is described, just before the final descent back into Hathersage.

Hathersage station, map reference SK 232 810, is 14 km south west of Sheffield, 227 km north west of Charing Cross, 163m above sea level and in Derbyshire. It is on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester to Sheffield, with a journey time of 18 mins from Sheffield. Sheffield Station is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 118 mins Mon-Sat, longer on Sundays).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

The Barrel Inn Bretton, near Eyam, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 5QD (01433 630 856). The Barrel Inn is located 7.3 km/4.5 mi into the walk.
The Queen Anne Inn Main Street, Great Hucklow, Tideswell, Derbyshire, SK17 8RF (01298 871 246). The Queen Anne is located 9.8 km/6.1 mi into the full walk.
The Bulls Head Inn Foolow, near Eyam, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 5QR (01433 630 873). The Bulls Head is located 11.8 km/7.4 mi into the full walk (9.6 km/6.1 mi if walking the shortcut).

With an early start, the tea options in Eyam come into play for lunch (see the pdf for details).

In Eyam
Plenty of options. Check the pdf for details.

In Hathersage
The Plough Inn Leadmill Bridge, Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 1BA (01433 650 319). The Plough is located 1.3 km from the end of the walk.
The David Mellor Design Museum Café Leadmill, Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 1BA (01433 650 220).
A handful of other options, on a loop through the village beyond the station. Check the pdf for details.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

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

Sep-22 Thomas G