Leave the car park and turn left up the minor road for 50m or so to reach
the start of the path along Birchen edge.
Walk along the path for 200m. Here there is a steep path on the right.
Now ascend the path steeply to reach the top of Birchen Edge.
Take care on this ascent as the path goes through braken and there are many
rocks underfoot.
With the edge below you on the left, follow the path north, making at all times
for Nelson's Monument.
Prior to reaching the monument there are three distinctive eratics over to the
right: Victory, Reliance and Royal Soverin.
The names being carved on the rocks and representing the fleet of the
aforementioned Nelson.
Now walk along to the nearby Nelson's monument, not to be confused with
one of the same name in London.
This pillar is impressive and visible throughout much of this walk.
It was erected in 1810 to celebrate the admiral's victory at Trafalgar.
From here,continue north along the top of the edge. It is best to take the
path straight ahead through the sparse wood rather than veering right around
the wood. Once through the forest, the path descends and makes for the main
road junction.
The final part of this descent can be wet.
(2.5kms. 90m. 1hrs. 0min.)
Just prior to the road junction take the path that follows in the direction
of the A621. At some points along this path there are views down the road.
Follow this path along for 500m where an outcrop of rock is seen on the right.
Climb the fence by a stile to visit this outcrop.
You can see the gap through which the road goes.
Now continue west to Gardom's edge, first climbing the fence again to
reach the main path, then through a gate.
You now enter into the sparse birch wood before getting to the start of
Gardom's Edge.
Follow the path along the top of the edge keeping the edge on your right.
A wall is reached and once through, the path follows between the wall
and the edge. There is another wall that indicates the end of the forest.
Over the wall you can see the Three Men, a line of 3 cairns in the adjoining
field.
Continue along the wall line, as it turns right from where a prominant path
comes in from the right.
This is the path between the A621 and the A619, and it is followed left back
to the Robin Hood Inn.
Continue following the path downhill, passing another small but impressive
outcrop of rock, until the main road is reached.
Cross the stile and it is a short walk
along the pavement to the car park by the Robin Hood.
(3.0kms. 40m. 1hrs. 0min.)