This first series of gritstoneedge.co.uk podcasts introduces you to the Gritstone Edges. starting at the south - Chatsworth - and up north finishing at the grandest edge of them all - Stanage.

These short podcasts describe the particular route picking out various points of interest along the way

There are 8 episodes in series 1

• Chatsworth
• Birchen and Gardoms
• Milstone and Lawrencefield.
• Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow and White Edge
• Burbage Walley
• Bamford
• Stanage
• Hallam and Burbage Moors

Chatsworth Edge is the southerly of the edges on the east of the Peak District. Not long in length and in the trees, Chatsworth is not one of the most popular edges. The edge lies on the Chatsworth estate with the tracks in the lower fields and concessionary paths along the top of the edge. To achieve a circular walk this route starts at the Chatsworth Estate Car Park. It is possible to start at the Robin Hood car park at a smaller fee.

Birchens Edge, Nelsons Monument

The mix of rock and moor is shown off to it's full in this walk. The rocks of the edges cannot fail to impress and these are joined by some bogtrotting over Birchen Moor. Perhaps a walk left to the hot hazy days of a dry summer, or a clear frozen winter day. The starting point is the large National trust (payment needed) car park beside Robin Hood's Inn. There is seperate parking for walkers, so leave the pub car park to the patrons, unless of course you fall into both categories.

Surprise View

A walk for a summer late afternoon / evening. Milstone, in particular, looks good in the late sun with the red tones of the rock being accentuated by the redenning sun. This route starts at Grindleford station and walks up through the forest to reach Lawrencefield and then across the road to go along the top and back along the bottom of Millstone before returning to Grindleford station via Lawrencefield. Throughout there are great views down the Hope Valley.

White Edge from the path

A walk of contrasts for those following these edges. 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 a bleak moorland with less impressive edges but non the less some great views over the peak. 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 peak District, and especially the White Peak over to the west. White edge is different, it is more rugged and and as such less busy.

View of south Burbage

The Burbage Valley is a short distance from the edge of Sheffield and as such is busy. There is a nice walk for all down and up the Green Drive; from the north to south bridges and back. Burbage Edge itself is a typical Gritstone Edge with the rock climbs being great for introductory rock climbing. On most days you will see many a keen climber out practising their skills. The rocks on Higgar Tor are in a different and more difficult class. This an interesting walk around the Burbage Valley starting at Burbage North Bridge. It is also possible to start at the car park just east of Surprise View on the A6187. From Burbage North Bridge means downhill first then uphill - which is different from most walks. In busy times the car parks here are busy but overall but there is always some space in the car parks or along the road to Higgar Tor

Towards Win Hill.

A very short walk up to Bamford Edge. Worth doing on an afternoon or after work. Despite the short lengh this is well worth it for the views down the Hope Valley and up the Upper Derwent Valley. Indeed this is one of the best viewpoints in the Peak District.

View of Stanage Edge from Southern trig .457

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 sin 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 is undertaken below the cliffs providing some extra interest viewing the rock climbers in action.

Stanage Pole

Hallam and Burbage Moors are large tracts of typical Peak District moorland. The edges of the moor make for a good walk including, as it does, Stanage and Burbage edges. The views on the east of this walk are predominantly over to Sheffield; indicating the nearness of this city to open hillside. There are many variations on this walk not least there are a variety of starting places. It is possible to start at Lady Canning plantation, Burbage Bridge or Redmires as described here.