From the car park by Chatsworth House, follow the roads on the north of the House
towards the woods. Follow the road around to the right at the back of the saw mill.
This is a wide road used by estate vehicles so be careful. Keep going along the road
until the third turning on the left. This is an acute turning, and the road is now
followed through the woods towards the Hunting Tower. Follow the road to reach the
Hunting Tower and climb the steps to get to the base of this building.
The views over to the west here are extensive, over the valley onto the limestone
area of the Peak District, and north up towards more of the eastern edges.
The way onto Chatsworth Edge is to continue north along the track, but it is worth
a detour to see the impressive Emperor Lake.
(3.5kms. 100m. 1hrs. 20min.)
From the Hunting Tower continue along the road north, past timber operations to a
wall. A stile, down to the left, allows the walker to cross.
Dobbs Edge is here on the left once over the wall.
It is not a significant edge; there is no real edge more
rocks and boulders. The estate has marked out a permissive path that goes along the
top of Dobbs Edge then over a stile to get to the valley between Dobbs and Chatsworth
edges. From the valley, where this route returns, climb the hillside to reach another
stile. This time the estate directs you to a small path along the top of Chatsworth
Edge. There are a number of signs that should keep the walker on the correct path.
The higher cliffs are at the north end and it is worth peering over the edge to see
the full height of Chatsworth edge. Much of this edge is surrounded by trees.
Thus the edge does not stand out and the rock has a green or even red dirty look to
it especially in winter. Following the path along the top. Eventually the walker
reaches a prow at the northern end, where the path starts to descend to eventually
meet the A621. Time to turn around here.
(3.0kms. 50m. 1hrs. 0min.)
To return to Chatsworth House, the walker must retrace their steps along Chatsworth
Edge to the valley between this edge and Dobbs Edge. Once at the wall turn right and
walk down the field to reach the path and gate at the bottom, just before some more
trees. Through the gate and follow the track through the sparse woodland that descends
toone of the main estate tracks. There is a herd of Red deer on the estate and these
deer can often be seen in this woodland. When the main estate track is reached turn
left and follow this back to the car park through the fields of the estate.
This can be very busy in prime holiday time.
(2.5kms. 40m. 0hrs. 50min.)