On a bright and sunny morning I set off for the eastern edge of the Peak District. Although I have ventured in this area before I had not walked over Burbage Edge nor had I visited Ox Stones and Stanedge Pole.

With an early start to the walk I guess it was inevitable that the cloud and mist in the valleys had still yet to clear. I parked my car at a moorland lay-by on the lane (School Lane) which runs out of Hathersage. The grid reference was SK 25427 82568. While putting on my boots and packing my rucksack I noticed that I had several sheep watching me. I’m not sure if they were after something to eat or not? They were not afraid of anything and in fact would not move quickly at all for any cars that were passing.

The start of the walk took me across the moorland towards Higger Tor passing near Callow Bank. I crossed a road where there was a van setting up for the day to sell the usual snacks and drinks. I then started the short ascent to Higger Tor and when I was almost at the top I met a man who had decided that there was no need to wear anything on his feet. I don’t think I could do that – I felt much better with my socks and boots on!! There is however many rocks and sandy tracks in this area of the Peak District.

The sun was now shining and the views from the summit of Higger Tor were great. There was no one else around while I was at the summit – it was so peaceful. After taking several photos amongst the rocks I descended down the rocky south edge of the tor to take the distinct path to Carl Wark. The hill known as Carl Wark is 9,000 square metres in area and lies close to Higger Tor between Stanage and Burbage Edges. It rise’s high above Burbage Brook and is a fine natural defensive position. The hill was fortified in the Iron Age (or possibly earlier) at the same time as Mam Tor which can be seen from Higger Tor. There is a plaque just below Carl Warks summit which records this fact. The earthen rampart and stone wall, built to defend the one acre site can still be seen on the western side of the fort.

It is a short walk from Higger Tor to Carl Wark and the ascent is an easy one. Looking back to Higger Tor the views were lovely. After a short photo stop I descended from Carl Wark down to the footbridge over Burbage Brook and then ascended to Burbage Edge passing a pine forest plantation. The going was a bit wet under foot as I ascended to the Edge. Looking back I had good views to Higger Tor and Carl Wark. I then started to cross Burbage Moor where I had my first views in the distance to Ox Stones. The path was a very clear one and eventually took me to Houndkirk Road. The Houndkirk road was built in 1758 and was never surfaced with modern materials. It is therefore an exellent example of a turnpike road. The road is quite wide and is very uneven. It was also flooded in parts and was quite “sandy”. Along the way I came across an old stone milepost. Eventually I came to a cross of paths where I turned north-west passing Lady Canning’s Plantation. The path continues uphill for a short distance before levelling out. Then I took a very faint path through the purple heather to Ox Stones Triangulation Pillar (S2159) which stands at 420m (SK 28021 83134).

The Ox Stones pillar stands in a lovely position on the edge of Burbage Moor and today it was surrounded in a sea of purple heather. There are good views from the pillar looking north-west and excellent views to the nearby Ox Stones. The Ox Stones are two huge rocks which have been eroded by the wind and rain (a typical Peakland scene). After a short break at the stones I made my way along a thin path through the heather once more down to the path from the Houndkirk Road. I then crossed the Ringinglow Road and followed paths to Brown Edge Farm. Passing through the farm and down the farm drive I arrived at Fulwood Road. Turning left for a short distance I then entered moorland once more climbing Rud Hill. There is a small closed reservoir on the ascent of Rud Hill. The path from here is very indistinct in places as well as wet and rocky. Although the path was difficult to follow I just made a general direction towards White Stones. The views down to Redmires Reservoirs were lovely. After White Stones the path descends down to the reservoirs to join the Long Causeway.

I followed the Long Causeway to Stanedge Pole (SK 24689 84418). Stanedge Pole is a triangulation station which has never had a triangulation pillar but is shown on Ordnance Survey maps. The pole stands on a gritstone base (with carved dates from 1550) and has metal strips around it presumably acting as a lightening conductor. Stanedge Pole for some reason is spelt differently from the edge and has guided travellers for over four centuries. The pole is thought to be a way marker on a medieval packhorse road known as the Long Causey or Long Causeway which runs west from Sheffield.

Leaving Stanedge Pole I crossed over waterlogged moorland to Stanage Edge joining the edge near Robin Hoods Cave. The walk along the edge was a very pleasant one. There was lots of activity with not only walkers but also Climbers and Paragliders. My next destination was Stanage Edge Triangulation Pillar (S2156). The pillar (SK 25094 83017) which stands at 457m is positioned on the top of huge stones. The views along the edge and to the Hope valley and Kinder Scout were great. My walk finished by descending the rocks near to Stanage Edge Pillar and and taking the path back to the car at the lay-by near Higger Tor. This was a great day out with wonderful scenery and weather.