Hathersage to Bamford (via Bamford and Hordron Edges) Walk

25.0 km (15.5 mi), with 862/869m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.

8 out of 10, with 6 hours 30 minutes walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 13 hours.

Starting in Hathersage, an attractive village in the Hope Valley, this route leads up a quiet green valley towards the cliffs of the Stanage Edge, only to fork off along the Hood Brook through attractive woods (bluebells in season) and to rise further in a westerly direction through pastures-with-views and along the flanks of Bole Hill up to Bamford Moor and along its gritstone edge. Panoramic views of Mam Tor, Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir keep the interest before a steep descent through an ancient oak wood and a newer plantation wood to the reservoir shore and the Ladybower Inn for lunch.
After lunch, a gradual ascent through woods leads up to Lead Hill and then the Derwent Edge, revealing stunning views of the Upper Derwent Valley and the Kinder Scout and Bleaklow plateaus. Turn right away from the edge down through Derwent Moor and gently up through Moscar Moor (on good paths) to Hordron Edge with its Bronze Age Stone Circle and across Jarvis Clough back to Bamford Edge for more views up the Hope Valley before the gradual descent to Bamford and the station beyond.

A post-lunch shortcut is described as well as an alternative afternoon route across Moscar and Bamford Moors past an array of pre-historic features (but do not walk this in Ground Nesting Season, from 1 March to 31 July).

Note: For the protection of moorland birds, dogs are not permitted on Moscar and Bamford Moors at any time. In all other Access Land they have to be kept on short leads in Ground Nesting Season (01 March to 31 July).

Shortcut after lunch: from the Ladybower Inn avoid the ascent up Lead Hill and on to Derwent Edge. Cut 4.9 km/3.0 mi and some ascent.
Bus stops on the A57, either by the Ladybower Inn or further along the route at Strines Lane End, allow a finish by bus to either Sheffield or Bamford.
Alternative Afternoon Route across Moscar and Bamford Moors: from Hordron Edge follow a meandering route across the moors past one of the Peak District’s finest selection of pre-historic cairns, stone circles and solitary standing stones (in parts pathless or without good paths). Do not walk this in Ground Nesting Season, from 1 March to 31 July.
Alternative Descent Route into Bamford: a much more direct descent from Bole Hill into Bamford follows Leeside Road down the Bamford Clough for 600m. This is an ancient packhorse route and was the steepest ‘road’ in Derbyshire until it was closed for traffic. The average gradient is 22% and it is not recommended to take this route other than in perfectly dry conditions, with good profile soles and preferably also with walking poles, as a fall onto – and subsequent slide down – the mainly cobble or concrete ‘road’ otherwise is all but guaranteed. Absolutely and entirely at your own risk!

OS Explorer: OL1 (The Peak District – Dark Peak Area)
OS Landranger: 110 (Sheffield & Huddersfield)
Harvey Superwalker XT25: Peak District Central
Harvey British Mountain Map: Dark Peak

Hathersage station, map reference SK 232 810, is 14 km south west of Sheffield, 227 km north west of Charing Cross and 157m above sea level. Bamford station, map reference SK 207 825, is 3 km north west of Hathersage and 150m above sea level. Both are in Derbyshire. They are on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester to Sheffield, with a journey time of 18 mins to Hathersage and up to 24 mins from Bamford from/to 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 Ladybower Inn Bamford, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 0AX (01433 651 241). The Ladybower Inn is located 10.2 km/6.3 mi into the walk and a quaint stone pub with rooms (some offering views of the picturesque Ladybower Reservoir). Under new management as of 2024.

The Anglers Rest Main Road, Bamford, Derbyshire, S33 0DY (01433 659 317). The Anglers Rest is located 1.6 km from the end of the walk. In 2013 it became the first community pub in Derbyshire when it was purchased collectively by over 300 people. As a LocAle pub, they mainly source beers from the local area and have been awarded the Sheffield and District CAMRA pub of the month award for their selection of quality ales.

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

Nov-21 Thomas G