A Stanage Edge walk is considered one of the top things to do in the Peak District. In this guide, I share a family-friendly walking route to Stanage Edge, as well as all the essential info you’ll need before visiting.
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Stanage Edge Circular Walk at a Glance
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Stanage Edge Walk FAQs
How to Get There
Stanage Edge is in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District. It is 2 miles north of Hathersage, 5 miles southeast of Ladybower Reservoir, and 8 miles east of Castleton.
While several routes and trails lead to Stanage Edge, the quickest and easiest way to get there is to park here on The Dale. This is the most effective way, as it allows you to walk the entire length of the ridge. You can also try this Stanage Edge Car Park if that one is full.
Best Time to Visit
Stanage Edge is one of the more family-friendly viewpoints in the Peak District, so it is a very popular spot. It’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset, which also draws the crowds.
Mornings are always quietest at Stanage Edge. If you prefer to be alone on the trail, aim to arrive before 9 a.m. Avoid weekends and school holidays if you can.
Stanage Edge Walk Map
Stanage Edge Walk Difficulty
This is one of the easier walks in the Peak District. While a bit of climbing is involved to get to the top of the ridge, it’s mostly flat once you’re up there. The climb to the top will be manageable for most.
Several trails in the area allow you to increase the intensity of your hike. You could walk all along Stanage Edge and back again for a decent walk. Or you could incorporate other neighbouring peaks like Higger Tor.
Other Things Worth Knowing
Dogs: The Stanage Edge walking trail is dog-friendly.
Kids: Your kids will love this hike too!
Pushchair/Wheelchair Access: The route to Stanage Edge is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.
Footwear: Supportive footwear with a good grip is a hiking essential for this walk.
Weather: Be mindful that the weather can change quickly in the hills. Be prepared for all the seasons.
Facilities: You will find bins, shops, pubs, toilets etc. in Hathersage village.
Map: It’s always good to have a map handy. We use All Trails for this purpose.
Our Experience on the Stanage Edge Walk
We set off from the parking area on the Dale The Dale. Despite it being a weekday, quite a few other people were around with the same idea.
We followed the obvious trail toward Stanage Edge whilst the setting sun cast a magical golden glow on the surrounding scenery. The mighty gritstone ridge stood invitingly in the distance.
Approaching the foot of the rocks, we could see a few different trails leading to the top. Some looked easier than others, but it’s hard to tell when you’re that far down. We took the track on the left, which appeared to be the most defined and well-trodden.
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It was a straightforward route with a minimal amount of climbing. From there, the trail is fairly linear. Although, you’ll need to dodge over and around some rocks as you traverse the ridge.
The sky was starting to put on a show, and I took tons of photos as we walked. There are plenty of incredible viewpoints and cool rock formations, so if you find there are lots of people at the start, don’t worry.
Our mission was to make it to Robin Hood’s cave, which we got to just as we were about to lose the sun behind the horizon. Other than one other person, we were completely alone.
The clear evening allowed for astonishing views stretching for miles and miles. In the distance, we could make out other famous peaks, such as Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.
I will discuss Robin Hood’s Cave, how to find it, its history, and more in this blog post. For now, I will let the photos do the talking about this magical sunset spot.
Enjoy This Stanage Edge Walk!
I hope you enjoy this Stanage Edge Walk as much as we did. If you’re visiting the area soon, you might find some of our Peak District articles helpful.
If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.
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