Hiking along Burbage Edge and Padley Gorge

Route: Burbage Edge, Padley Gorge, Carl’s Wark, Higgar Tor

Meet at: Burbage Bridge car park on the Ringinglow Road, overlooking Burbage North crag. Postcode S32 1BR, OS map reference SK264826. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.

This pleasant circular hike takes in the contrasting landscapes of wild windswept crags and a lush green wooded valley. Burbage Edge is the second longest of the famous Peak District gritstone edges and as a highly popular rock climbing venue it is also a place that many of us are already very familiar with. This entertaining outing will give us the opportunity to explore the entire 3 km length of the crag as well as taking in the atmospheric tranquillity of Padley Gorge and other interesting features including the site of an ancient fort and a Hollywood film location!

The full day will include an exciting scrambling traverse of Burbage Edge (North and South), then a crossing of the main road and on to the highly picturesque Longshaw Estate, through woods and meadows and round a lake to take us into the spectacular Padley Gorge then back over the road and on up the Burbage Valley to the historic Iron Age hill fort at Carl’s Wark where scenes from the 1987 blockbuster “The Princess Bride” were filmed, then on to the imposing gritstone outcrop of Higgar Tor before returning to the car park via the Burbage North Boulders.

Photos of some of our previous outings to Burbage Edge and Padley Gorge can be seen here:

https://www.meetup.com/sheffield-mountaineering-rock-climbing-meet/photos/33856395/

https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/30977183/

Difficulty: A fair amount of sustained Grade 1 scrambling to begin with before hiking both easy and strenuous for the rest of the day. This will NOT be a gentle stroll along well made footpaths. For more information on scrambling grades see:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades

Experience Required: No previous experience required, all you need is a reasonable level of fitness, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather.

Duration: Approx. 10 km with height gain of approx. 300 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.

Ordnance Survey Maps: OS 110 Sheffield and Huddersfield, OS 119 Buxton and Matlock 1:50 000 Scale.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.