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A short walk that works well in summer late afternoon / evening. Millstone, in particular, looks great in the late sun with the red tones of the rock being accentuated by the redenning sun. The route starts near to Surprise View with a walk up the moor past Mother Cap to the top of Millstone Edge. Then below Millstone and onto Lawrencefield before continuing through the wood at Bole Hill. The final section walks up the river valley to reach the bridge at Padley Gorge, then back to the start.

Walk through the gate at the back of the car park taking the path to Mother Cap, a distinctive rock feature with views over the Hope Valley. Continue uphill to the rocks on the skyline, Over Owler Tor. From here follow the path that leads to the gate in the fence that overlooks Millstone Edge. Taking care, go through the gate and carefully look over the edge to see the steepness of the crags of Millstone Edge; then retreat back to the gate. Follow the path north eastalong the line of the edge and then turn downhill. Take the second gate through the fence and follow the path until there is a sharp bend left by a disused building. Follow this track uphill and then around the bottom of the crags. The path is below the edge and the edge is often hidden with trees. It is well worth wandering off left to one or two of the bays to see the full splender of Millstone Edge. The bay with the "keyhole" is particularly spectacular. Some of the most difficult Peak District rock climbing routes are at Millstone, and you can see why! Continue following the path to the road, cross safely to the pavement on the other side. Walk downhill to reach the public footpath that goes south down Lawrencefield. (2.5kms. 80m. 1hrs. 0min.)

Over the wall at the gate, and then follow the wide path that runs along the bottom of Lawrencefield Edge. Again, as at Millstone, the path is a distance away from the edge and it is worth walking over to the edge itself. There is a "pool" at the bottom of one of the higher parts of Lawrencefield Edge. Continue along the path to a gate at the end of Lawrencefield. Through the gate is Bole Hill Wood. Follow the paths downhill towards Grindleford Station. Just by another disused building a "paved" track cones in from the right. (1.5kms. 0m. 0hrs. 30min.)

Take the path, leftwards as it climbs along the direction of the river through the wood. In autumn this is particularly impressive with the colourful oak trees. Towards the top of the wood the path takes you nearer to the river then out of the forest views open out to Higgar Tor with Stanage beyond. Walk up the grass to the bridge over the stream. On the left is a path that goes past Owler Tor and to the road. Owler Tor is much more impressive from the roadside, and worth a detour. All that is left is to walk alongside the road and cross into the car park. (1.5kms. 140m. 0hrs. 50min.)

15th April 2025 A shortened route today but still work it for a couple of hours out in nature. Started at Surprise View car park and walked along the bottom of Lawrencefield onto Padley Gorge and back view Owler Tor. Great view up and down the valley from the start at Surprise View.

14th November 2024 For a change I walked this route clockwise rather than anti-clockwise which is described here. Autumn was nearly over but the walk down Padley Gorge was spectacular, covered in brown leaves. It was a morning walk and the sun was not shining on the rocks, the route is much better in the evening. But the walk under the rocks of Lawrencefield and Millstone was enjoyable. No rock climbers to see.

29th May 2024 Followed the path from the car park, up Mother Cap, onto Millstone and Lawrencefield edges and down to Bole Hill with no other walkers. Once at Padley Gorge it was very busy - the problem of going walking in school holidays. A dull but dry day however the paths were quite muddy reflecting the recent rain.

18th October 2023 A great walk for a fine autumn day. The size (height) of the crags at Millstione and Lawrencefiled never fails to impress. They are quarried rock, and not natural but nevertheless impressive. Great colours in Bole Hill wood. this is a popular area but on this midweek morning there were few people about.