This is one of my favourite walks and is to be found Sheffield side of
Ladybower and is one of the many gritstone edges in the area.
Stanage is the largest and most impressive of these gritstone edges.
Situated on the moors north of Hathersage, and visible from miles away
down in the Hope Valley, it stretches for a length of approximately six
kilometres (3.5 miles) from its northern tip at Stanage End to the
southern point near the Cowper Stone. At about is mid-point the edge is
crossed by Long Causeway, the old Roman road from Navio (Brough) to
Doncaster. It is a famous location for rock-climbing and a popular spot
for walkers.
Stanage's situation is high and it can be snowbound in winter. For most
of its length it lies between the 400 and 450 metre contours, and the
rock face itself attains a maximum height of 25 metres, but for most of
its length it is between 15 and 20 metres high. The high point of the
main edge is at High Neb, which lies near the north end.
Stanage is now suffering from its popularity. The edge, which
once had heather and bracken to its foot and heather in many of the
cracks, has had much of its vegetation worn away with erosion occurring
around it.
One of the 1st things you need to look for, when you have made the initial 1 mile walk, to get to the Northern end of the edge, are these man made Grouse drinking bowls.
They were cut into the Gritstone to ensure that the Edge's once large population of Grouse would have access to water at all times.
It is quite a challenge to find all of them as you progress along the Edge ( a few are missing ).
The initial walk in from the Sheffield road end ( which is North ) is about 1mile and is not too steep, it is necessary to wear stout footwear though as the path is strewn with natural debris, rocks and if wet mud, unless you can guarantee good weather, it is also advisable to take water proof clothing as this place is exposed.
The walk, which is about 7 miles in total, consists of 3.5 of walking south then turning around and coming back North for about 1.5 miles, before dropping down off the edge to walk the rest of the way along the bottom, along this lower level you will come into contact with a large number of old mill wheels of differing sizes and conditions.
They were cut from the stone of the edge in the not to distant past and transported to all points of the compass, infact to anywhere where milling took place, most of the ones you will find were probably damaged or not cut correctly and therefore not worth taking off the moor.
These pictures were taken in February 2006 when we were in the middle of what could be called "a cold snap".
Looking south past the northern trig point.
A look along the edge, the walk is for as far as you can see.
About half way,and you can see where Long Causeway rises up from the lower level.
On the return you walk down this old Roman road.
Looking back N.N.W up towards Win Hill and in the far distance Bleaklow.
South to North.
The Southern trig point at Cowper stones, this is where a drink and snack are usually taken before the return.
More pictures can be found here
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