Start : | B6058 Roadside at Junction Road junction of the A625 and B6054. [SK269790 364m ] |
Summary : | Roadside - Grouse Inn - Froggatt Edge - Curbar Edge - Baslow Edge - Wellington Monument - White Edge - Roadside. |
distance : | 13.5km. |
ascent : | 200m. |
time : | 4hr. 20min. |
A walk of contrasts. Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow are typical Gritstone Edges, with cliffs some 20m high over a length of 2-3 kms. These edges rise from the woodland below giving impressive views. In contrast White Edge is set in more bleak and open moorland with less impressive rocks but non the less some great views over the Peak District. Perhaps in this one walk we see the two sides of the Gritstone scenery. This is one of the best walks in the Peak District. There are great views of a large part of the central and north of the Peak District, and especially the White Peak over to the west. The three lower edges are often busy but White edge is different, it is more rugged and and as such less busy.
Overall : | overcast clouds |
Temperature : | 16degC. |
Wind Speed : | 11km/hr. |
Wind Direction : | NNE |
Clouds : | overcast clouds |
Precipitation : | none |
Sunrise : | 05:28:51 |
Sunset : | 18:39:54 |
: | Times are GMT add 1 hour for BST |
Data from openweathermap.org
From the road junction cross the wall / fence and follow the significant track to White Edge Lodge. Continue past the Lodge and follow the bridgeway over the fields to reach the A625 just north of the Gouse Inn. The fields the bridleway crosses can be wet especially after a rainy spell. Just past the Inn follow the footpath on the right, over the fields to reach the woodland. Then follow the path past the NT car park to reach the stream that is crossed via the stepping stones. Climb up to the A625 road. After crossing the road, safely, go through the white gate onto the main path at the top of Froggatt Edge. This goes through a wood before openning out with a great view down the Derwent valley. There is a good path all the way along the top of the edge. The walker does not get to see the best of the crags from this path but the views over to central peak district are in some way compensation. At the end of Froggatt Edge there is a clear break defined by a high wall of rock. It is worth walking to the bottom of Froggatt Edge here to get some idea of the size and extent of the crags. If you do this return to the top of the edge. (3.0kms. 40m. 1hrs. 0min.)
The main path continues along the top of Curbar Edge to the road at Curbar Gap. The route does not follow the true edge, the more distinctive track is 50m to the east of the edge, although it is possible to follow a smaller path along the crest of the edge. Always in the distance is the distinctive Wellington's monument at the end of Baslow Edge. From Curbar Gap it is possible to follow the path directly up to White edge, completely missing Baslow Edge. Don't do this but continue along to Baslow Edge towards Wellington's Monument. Cross the road at Curbar Gap, go through the gate and follow the path along Baslow Edge until the monument is reached. Again the main path is some 50m east of the edge with a much thinner path along the top of the edge. On the way to the monument the route passes an interesting and impressive erratic, Eagle Rock. (4.5kms. 60m. 1hrs. 30min.)
From the monument follow the significant track to the minor road. Cross the road and onto the fields opposite. There is a path from the road that crosses the rough ground before climbing up to the ridge of White Edge. This path is now followed up to the trig point of White Edge. This stands away from the main path but worth a visit. From here you can see the large moor to the east, Big Moor, home to a herd of Red Deer. White Edge gives a feeling of the high moor, a feeling of remoteness and in poor weather it is a much bleaker than the lower edges. (3.0kms. 80m. 1hrs. 10min.)
The trig point is not the true summit of White Edge according to the latest OS map. Some 500m north, along the path, is a rise that is a meter higher. Again this is just set off the path. There is a short climb over heather to reach this top. If is obvious that not many people visit this true summit. Get back to the path and follow the distinct path along north over White Edge. At a wall a significant signpost shows the way back to the Grouse Inn or onward to White Edge Lodge and the road junction. Follow the track in the northerly direction past White Edge Lodge to the road and the start of the walk. (3.0kms. 20m. 1hrs. 0min.)
20th June 2024 Tackles (most) of this route in the other direction by walking along White Edge first..I did miss out Baslow Edge by walking don the path at the end of White Edge to reach Curbar Gap. After a coffee, the walk continues along Curbar then Froggatt Edge, and then to the Grouse Inn. As the weather has been particularly wet recently, I decided to walk through the Longshaw Estate, rather than over the fields back to the car.It was noticeable on this sunny day, the first for a while, that White Edge is mush less busy than walkking along the lower edges. A great day and good to see some sun.
16th October 2023 An amazing day - there was low cloud all up the valley leaving islands of land peaking out, including this walk. Great views along the edges. The mist cleared but autumn sunshine whilst walking along White Edge. A fantastic day to be out.
26th July 2021 This was a very hot day following many hot days in summer 2021. Not many clouds in the sky and some hot sun for the walk down Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow then the walk back up White Edge. This is a very popular walk but not too buy today.
24th October 2019 Not a promising day, mist all around. Was an inversion although spoilt by the rain. Purposely chose this route to see the Red Deer and they did not disappoint. Saw two groups, one on the moor just behind Froggatt and another below White Edge. Was made aware of the deer by the impressive Stag roaring.
17th August 2019 Another visit to these edges and again the reverse way around. Great views in the sunny weather. Walking over White Edge seemed busy but the main traffic is on Curbar and Froggatt with walkers, mountain bikers and climbers. All out on this nice summer day.
6th January 2019 Walked this route in the reverse direction, calling at White Edge first then back along Froggatt. Never seen so many people along White Edge, it is usually empty. Queues for a cup of tea at the motor-cafe at Curbar Edge and more people along Curbar and Froggatt. The popularity probably due to the fine weather and just after the holiday - everyone walking off the excess of the holiday.
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