The gritstone edges running along the east of the Dark Peak are unique to the Peak District. Stanage is the grandest of all these gritstone edges running some 6km in length. Best viewed from a distance. This route takes you along the full length, walking above and below the crags. Stanage Edge is a popular rock climbing area and busy with climbers in all weathers. The edge can be accessed from a variety of places. This route starts at the southern edge and follows above the edge for it's full length. The return journey starts below the cliffs providing some extra interest viewing the rock climbers in action.

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Panorama from White Path Moss .457 trig point

©gritstoneedge.co.uk

Panorama from High Neb .458

©gritstoneedge.co.uk

From the parking follow the thin path that climbs over the lower slopes below the edge, to reach the top of Stanage Edge. Turn right, south, and along the top of the edge by the good path to reach the south Stanage Trig Point, named White Path Moss trig point.. The trig point is set on top of some significant gritstone boulders that require some clambering to get to the trig point. On a good day there are excellent views north along the edge as well as over to the Hope Valley. For the full Stanage Experience, continue south and then east to reach Cowper Stone which marks the end of Stanage Edge. The views here are down Burbage Valley and further down south towards Chatsworth. (1.5kms. 100m. 0hrs. 40min.)

Return back the way you have come to get back to White Path Moss trig point. From here, look north and see the great wide vista that is Stanage Edge. This is where the route takes us, along the top of this magnificent edge. Leaving the trig point follow the path north along the top of the edge. Keep an eye out for the magnificent views west along the Hope Valley, east over Broomhead Moor and indeed north along the edge. At about 2km. the Long Causeway coming from Redmires Reservoirs is visible. The large pole, Stanage Pole is clearly visible over to the east. Go through the wall at the broken stile and fence, then immediately take the small path that makes to the Long Causeway. Then follow this track to reach Stanage Pole. The view east here is of Redmires Reservoirs, the western suburbs of Sheffield then over to Sheffield itself and much of South Yorkshire (and beyond). Return by the Long Causeway and once this starts to descend follow the surprisingly narrow path to climb up to the height of Stanage Edge. Follow the path on top of the cliffs along to the high point of Stanage Edge at High Neb trig point. (4.5kms. 50m. 1hrs. 30min.)

The route now continues along the path on top of the edge. The edge is less popular in this area, there are fewer walkers and climbers on this northern section of the edge. Even on a busy day this north end of Stanage is still a quiet and tranquil place. Follow the top of the edge until the rock become less distinct over Stanage End. Eventually a wall is reached where the top path meets the lower path. Here are the remnants of an old quarry. Look out for two distinct marker stones with WW and WM carved on them. These indicate the boundary between shooting estates. This is the time to turn around and maybe take a bite to eat looking west over the northern moors of the Peak District. (2.5kms. 20m. 0hrs. 50min.)

The first phase of the return is along the paths at the bottom of the crags. Walk down a few meters to meet the path along the bottom of the crags. Turn left and follow the narrow and sometimes confusing path along the bottom of the edge. If the wind was in your face, it is now at your back; the sun is likely to be straight ahead to giving a different aspect to the edge. There are a number of paths along the bottom of the crags, and there are a few wet areas to negotiate. It matters not which you take. But towards the Long Causeway there is one definite path to follow. Cross the final fence by the gate and walk up Long Causeway to the top of the edge. (3.5kms. 40m. 1hrs. 10min.)

From Long Causeway the return is by the outward route. From the top of the edge at Long Causeway, walk south on the path then through the wall by the broken fence and stile. Follow the path along the top of the crags to reach the uphill path just before the White Path Moss trig point is reached. Now take this path back to the Hooks Carr parking. (2.0kms. 20m. 0hrs. 40min.)

21st May 2024 Starting at Hooks Carr for a change. The plan was to walk the full length of Stanage including Stanage Pole. Which I did. Not very busy, especially on the northern section - the midweek phenomenon. Even after the many times I have been to Stanage it never fails to impress.

21st August 2023 A walk the full length of Stanage up and down. Started at Redmires then up to Stanage Pole and then over to the edge. Walked along the top to the southern trig point. Then walked along the full length of the edge to Stanage End. Back on the paths below the edge and then past Stanage Pole to Redmires and the car. A great walk on a sunny day. Although it was windy.

22nd June 2021 A bright summer day, with a bit of wind. Walked along Stanage from Redmires reservoir rather than the south at Burbage. Once north of the Roman Road it was very quiet, in fact, on my own at the far north. Nice to sit a while and take in the views of Kinder and around to the eastern edges of Bleaklow.

1st January 2020 The tradition is to walk along Stanage on New Year's day, as indeed it appears to be for many others. This time the two trig walk from Redmires. Difficult parking as this area is popular on NYD. Once at the edge it was south to southern trig point, very wet underfoot. Then walking north, across the Long Causeway to High Neb, the second trig point. Back along the bottom of the crag to get a good view. Even today in the cold damp and wind there were people climbing.

20th November 2019 Stanage is a great place for a short walk on the days like these, where it is not great weather for the outdoors but you want the experience of being on the moors. Rather than a Burbage Bridge start, it was a Redmires Reservoir start and walk up to Stanage Pole then to edge. Turn left, south, to climb the popular area, as today, or right to follow the less popular area, or indeed both. A great place to be out on a not so nice day.

28th February 2019 Not a busy Thursday, so easy to park at Burbage Bridge. Actually a bit of a misty day after a long period of spring like weather in February. The route was not busy and indeed the northern section was deserted. Pity the views were not great. I noted that whilst the southern popular end was quite muddy the paths in the northern sections are much better and there is less jumping to avoid the wet area. It was great to sit a while and just meditate, looking over the moorland.

1st January 2019 Did part of the route, between the two trig pints on a sunny New Years Day. Seemed that everyone was out. Not surprising as it was a great winter day with good views up and down the edge. And the sun was out. Muddy underfoot which is as expected in this popular part of the Peak District.