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The Stanage Edge walk is a beautiful cliff top walk in the Peak District. On this walk you can expect great views, rugged terrain and local wildlife. Stanage Edge is very easy to access from Sheffield and is also close to over top sights and attractions in the Peak District. Stanage Edge is also the location of Robin Hood’s cave: Don’t miss our step by step guide if you want to find the exact location of Robin Hood’s cave.
Whether Robin Hood was real and really stayed in this cave is unknown. But other attractions in the area bear his name: there is Little John’s grave located nearby in Hathersage and Loxley is a village just north of Sheffield. Stanage Edge was also made famous in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film, where Keira Knightly is filmed standing on top of the cliff edge. If you’re exploring the Peak District with your family in 2023 don’t miss our amazing guide to the BEST walks in the Peak District. We also have a guide for little legs: THE BEST Peak District walks with toddlers.
Stanage Edge Walk map
Interactive map of the Stanage Edge walk.
Stanage Edge Walk Fast Facts
Suitability for family: The Stanage Edge walk is ideal for families with older children or teenagers. It is possible to do this walk with younger children but be aware that the terrain is challenging and the path follows the top of stanage edge. It is possible to stay a safe distance from the cliff along the path. We do not recommend climbing down to Robin Hood’s cave unless you are a proficient climber.
Difficulty: Medium
Route Type: Return route with a loop at the end
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
How long does it take to walk? 2 – 3 hours
Highlights: The Stanage Edge walk has lots of highlights: The Stanage Edge trig point affords a stunning view of the surrounding hills. Don’t miss Robin Hood’s cave and the Stanage plantation.
Best time to visit: We recommend arriving early in the morning as the car park at upper burbage bridge can get busy especially during holidays and weekends.
Start location: The stanage edge walk starts at the Upper Burbage Bridge car park 53.34321, -1.61047
Terrain and Accessibility: The Stanage Edge walk follows a rocky path. If you decide to walk back along the paths below the cliff there are several small trails that run through the ferns. These can be quick thick and overgrow the paths during the summer months making the trails hard to follow.
Getting there: The start of the walk is very close to the upper burbage bridge car park. There is no public transport to the Upper Burbage Bridge car park. There is a good amount of parking at the car park.
Food and drink: There are no cafes or restaurants in the area. Bring along any food and drinks that you need for the walk. The nearest pub is the Norfolk Arms which serves food and drinks. There are also cafes, pubs and restaurants in the nearby Hathersage village.
Stanage Edge car park – where do you park?
Free parking is available at the Upper Burbage Bridge car park. There are also a couple of laybys near the bridge. These car parks and laybys often fill up during weekends and school holidays, especially in nice weather. We recommend arriving early to get a spot.
There are a few other alternative parking locations in the area: There is a long layby for parking on The Dale road as you drive round the top of the hill. To get the keep driving up Ringinglow Road (away from Sheffield) and then take a right at the fork junction. The laybys are just on the left. You can see alternative trails leading up to Stanage Edge on the right side of the road.
If these laybys are also busy keep driving down the hill and then take the first right along North Lees road. You will see some more laybys on your right. This section of road runs below Stanage edge, so if you start the walk here you will need to find a trail that leads up to the edge. We have made this super duper helpful map to help you find stanage edge parking spots.
The Stanage Edge walk route via Robin Hood’s cave
The Stanage Edge walk starts at the upper Burbage Bridge car park. As you walk out of the car park entrance cross the road and turn left walking up the road towards the bend. When you get to the bend there is a trail on your right. Follow this trail. You should see Stanage edge ahead of you in the distance. The trail is very clear and east to follow.
As you get close to Stanage Edge the path becomes steeper. Keep following the path up Stanage Edge. When you get close to the top the path starts to flatten out and becomes a little less clear to follow. Try to follow it round to the left as it ascends gently towards Stanage Edge trig point.
When you get to the trig point you should get a beautiful view of stanage edge curving round ahead of you. Keep following the path down towards Stanage Edge. Although Stanage Edge is a cliff line, the path is wide and it is easy to stay a safe distance from the cliff edge. Keep following this path along the top of Stanage Edge enjoying the view. Be aware that this section of the walk can be quite gusty in high winds. We recommend layering up with clothing and wearing a good windstop. The real Robin Hood’s cave is tricky to get to.
The first challenge is spotting the cave. A GPS may help a little. We would also recommend you to gaze carefully at our pictures of the rocks at the top of Robin Hood’s cave as they are distinctive and you will know when you have got there.
The small cave next to Robin Hood’s cave
Just before you arrive at the real Robin Hood’s cave you will notice a more accessible cave. With caution it is possible to follow the rocks down to this cave and stop for a semi-sheltered view. If you walk on a little further (around 20-30m) you will see the rocks at the top of the real Robin Hood’s cave.
The real Robin Hood’s cave
We do not recommend trying to climb down to the real Robin Hood’s cave unless you are experienced and competent at climbing. Once you have seen Robin Hood’s cave and its little brother cave next door, keep walking along the cliff top path in the same direction. You should see a small plantation to your left.
You are looking out for the first safe left turn before you get to the plantation. There is a way to scramble down to find the paths below Stanage Edge. Be aware that this lower Stanage Edge route can be quite challenging due to the small paths with can be overgrown with ferns. This makes navigation more difficult and the terrain is a bit more challenging along this section. Alternatively you can return to the car park by walking directly back up the same path past the trig point.
After about 500m you will see the end of the Stanage Edge cliffs. At this point there is a trail that leads back up to the main path along the top of Stanage Edge. Rejoin this path and return to the carpark.
Ways to extend the Stanage Edge walk
If the short route isn’t doing it for you there are various ways to extend the Stanage Edge walk and earn that roast dinner. One option is to keep walking along Stanage Edge a little further and then take a right towards the Stanage Pole. Further still and the path drops down to Redmire Reservoir. This detour does not easily allow for a round-route back to the carpark so your best bet from here is retracing your steps. If you are hoping to extend with a nice round walk, we have mapped out another 9km alternative route for you (you’re welcome).
The route is the same as the shorter 4km route at the start. Except you keep walking along Stanage Edge until the path forks. Take the left fork down the hill. This path leads down to a bend in the road and Dennis Knoll carpark.
From here turn left and walk along North Lee’s road (there should be a small plantation on your right) at the end of this plantation there is a footpath to your right. Follow this footpath down to the farm. At the farm turn left and follow the path past Green’s Paper Mill dam. Cross Hood Brook and walk towards Hollin Bank. When you reach the road near Hollin Bank, turn right and then turn left and follow the long straight road up below stanage edge. Along this road you can find several trails leading up to your left towards Stanage Edge. Follow one of these trails. Towards the far end of Stanage Edge there is a walking route at the end of the cliffs that allows you to walk all the way up to the main Stanage Edge path. Return to the car park following the same route that you used at the start of the walk.
Here’s an interactive route map of the longer Stanage Edge loop walk:
Other things to see and do near Stanage Edge
There’s loads to do near Stanage Edge. Within walking distance check out the Stanage Pole and Redmire reservoir. Close by you can also see the beautiful Bamford Edge – a stunning spot with Panoramic views of the Ladybower Reservoir and a protruding rock for the perfect Peak District instagram photo. Lady Bower reservoir also boast some fantastic walks too. Near Stanage Edge you can also visit Burbage Valley and Higger tor and at the south of Burbage valley is Fox House – a great place for many other beautiful Peak District walks. Nearby you can also find an epic walk at Padley Gorge – which include a natural spring and an awesome cafe. Alternatively the Longshaw Estate is right next to Padley Gorge and offers even more beautiful family walks.
If you drop down into Hope Valley you can visit Hathersage – home to the wonderful Bird Cafe and Hathersage Stepping Stones. And don’t miss the Hathersage outdoor swimming pool. Also don’t miss Little John’s grave in Hathersage.
