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The Bamford edge walk offers surprisingly impressive scenery for a relatively short and easy walk. The beautiful Bamford edge overlooks the Derwent valley, Ladybower Reservoir. Up the valley you can see the Ladybower road bridge and across the valley to the west you can see Win Hill.
The western aspect makes this a great spot for a sunset walk on a clear evening. Bamford Edge is also home to the Peak District equivalent of the famous Troll’s Tongue. This is an impressive rocky protrusion on the cliff edge where people risk life and limb for epic instagram shots. The beauty of this walk is also in the open moorlands as you walk up to the Edge; the rugged heather and bracken providing a colourful palate which varies from season to season.
The Google description hits the nail on the head “Soaring Rock Edge with Sweeping Views”. This is a great walk in 2021 if you want lots of scenery for minimal sweat.
Having grown up right next to the Peak District we have spent loads of happy hours exploring and we are super excited to share the best bits with you.
Looking for somewhere to stay near Bamford Edge? The Yorkshire Bridge Inn is the closest hotel to Bamford Edge.
Is the Bamford edge walk suitable for children?
Yes. The Bamford edge walk is suitable for families with children of any age. A cliff top path may sound scary, but the path itself is sufficiently wide and a reasonable distance from the cliff edge. Having said that, young children would need careful supervision along the path. Also, if your children are not able to walk, this route is not suitable from prams or pushchairs. We recommend using a good child carrier – either a sling or backpack carrier.
How do I get to Bamford edge?
Bamford Edge is conveniently located around 15km west of Sheffield. It is not possible to get public transport to the start of the path (at least not the starting point that we recommend for this walk). However, you can get a bus along the Hope valley from Sheffield (272) and there is also a train station in Bamford village. To get to Bamford by train you need to take a train through the Hope Valley on the Manchester – Sheffield line.
If you are coming by car, head to Bamford village. Drive northbound through Bamford on the A6013 (Ashopton road). Turn right up New Road. This is a steep country lane that goes up the hill east towards Stannage. After around 1.5km you will find a layby for parking. This is the start of the trail for the Bamford Edge walk.
How long is the Bamford Edge walk?
The walk that we recommend here is just over 3km as a return route. This will take roughly 1 hour walking plus time to enjoy the view. If you’re one of those people who just needs to walk further, the great news is that it is very easy to extend this walk. If you continue along the cliff edge there are several options such as dropping down into the Derwent valley and exploring Ladybower Reservoir. Alternatively head east over the moors towards Stannage edge for a longer and more challenging round walk.
When is the best time to visit Bamford edge?
In our humble opinion the absolute best time to visit is on a lovely warm, clear summer evening – preferably with a cider or good beer in your backpack. However, life doesn’t always go this way. Generally this spot is not too busy so you can visit whenever. At peak times (bank holidays and weekends) it can get busy. During the winter months this spot is pretty exposed so dress well. Navigation could be challenging in bad weather – so take care and prepare well.
Is Bamford Edge hard to walk?
No, the Bamford edge walk is relatively easy. If you follow the route that we recommend, you will park up the hill and therefore there is not too much of a hill climb in this walk. The distance is also pretty short (just over 3km will take around 1 hour in total). Navigation is pretty straight forward during the day and clear weather. If the weather is stormy, snowy or foggy we recommend postponing and returning in good weather. The walk itself has some tricky terrain – expect rocky paths and heather with a little bit of climbing. Overall the walk is not too hard and is well worth the views.
How accessible is the Bamford edge walk?
Unfortunately the Bamford edge walk is not suitable for prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs. Some sections are fairly steep and the terrain is uneven and rocky. If you are visiting with young children consider bringing a child carrier.
How do I climb Bamford edge?
Starting from the Layby on New Road look for the trail which leads up the hill. You will see Bamford edge up in front of you. Follow this trail over the moorland up to Bamford edge.
Follow the public footpath along the top of Bamford edge. Keep your eye out for amazing view points along the footpath. This section of the walk is around 500m depending where you choose to stop and turn back. When you are ready to return, walk back along the same route. There are several different footpaths that you can take to return to the Layby at New Road.
What else is there to see and do near Bamford Edge?
Ladybower Reservoir is very close to Bamford Edge. This is another great spot for walks and bicycle rides. Closer to Sheffield you can find some great walks around Stanage Edge, the Burbage valley and Fox House. Bamford is also very close to the Hathersage Stepping stones – another great spot for photography. Don’t miss the epic Robin Hood’s cave which is only a few miles from Bamford Edge. Further up the Hope Valley you can also see Castleton and Mam tor. If you are looking for a more challenging walk into the wild consider Edale and Kinder Scout. For more ideas and inspiration check out the Peak District official website.
Don’t miss our EPIC guide if you’re looking for more Family walks in the Peak district. We have even done a special guide for Peak District walks with toddlers – each route suitable for little legs.
