Burbage Edge + Higger Tor From Upper Burbage | 6-Mile Route

This is a lovely circular walk starting along Upper Burbage Edge and then looping back via Over Owler Tor and Higger Tor.

It’s located not far from Hathersage in the Peak District, but this walk starts at Upper Burbage car park which means you don’t have to start the walk with an uphill climb!

The Peak District is known for having many ‘edges’, this walk takes you along Burbage Rocks via Upper Burbage Edge and Lower Burbage Edge, with beautiful views, including looking across to Higger Tor where you’ll walk back across.

Here I have included the route information, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions

Burbage Edge + Higger Tor from Upper Burbage Bridge

gpx file

Burbage Edge + Higger Tor walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

Walk start point

Start grid reference: SK 260 829

Car parking address: Upper Burbage Bridge car park, Ringinglow Road, Hope Valley, S32 1BR

This is a relatively small, pay and display car park, with about 30 spaces. There is also a second smaller car park up the road as well as spaces for cars on the road.

Option 2 – Alternatively, you can start this walk from the Woodcroft car park on the Longshaw Estate, or if you are catching the train then you can start from Grindleford train station (about 500 metres from the walk route).

Woodcroft car park, Longshaw Lodge, S11 7TY. 

Parking Cost

Payment at Upper Burbage Bridge is coins only. You can find details on car parking charges here.

Woodcroft car park is free for National Trust members. Or £3.50 for up to 4 hours and £5.00 for over 4 hours.

Public transport

Nearest train station: Grindleford train station (0.3 mile/0.5 km) or Hathersage (0.3 mile/0.5 km)

If you’re catching the train then you would start the walk near the Longshaw Estate or Owler Tor and complete the circular walk from there.

Facilities on the walk

There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Upper Burbage Bridge car park.

However, if you need to use them, there are public toilets at the end of Burbage Edge section as you enter the Longshaw Estate, but you’ll need to take a small detour.

Water on your walk – I recommend a filter water bottle for your Peak District walks, it saves you from carrying extra weight and you can fill up safely and drink water from the streams on your walk.

Other useful information

Since Burbage Edge and Higger Tor are fairly high up, on windy days you can feel the cold. Be sure to check the weather conditions and take an extra layer for walking.

The route is signposted in places but I would always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).

Check the weather for your walk location and hills. We’d recommend that you check a few resources and for hill walks look at the weather conditions in the valley and on the hilltop as they can greatly vary.

• BBC Weather for Hathersage
• Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District
• Met Office weather for High Neb (Stanage Edge, which is nearby) and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District

Ordnance Survey Walk Map

The map for this walk is the Ordnance Survey OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area).

View the different prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weather the Active OS maps are good to have as they are laminated so better on rainy days.

View both Peak District map options here.

And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.

For online maps, I recommend OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.

See both maps that cover the Peak District here.

Want to learn more map skills? Check out our Guided Walks with map reading skills here.

Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App. 

Want to read later? Save the walk to Pinterest

Burbage Edge + Higger Tor walk route

Stage 1 – Upper Burbage Bridge to End of Burbage Edge

Distance: 1.9 miles/3 km

Grid reference SK 260 829

From the Upper Burbage Bridge car park, go through the gate and head down on the path towards the bridge.

There are two small streams to cross, which should be easy unless there’s heavy rain. (You can head up to the road if necessary)

The lower, more established track is called Sheffield Country Walk, which is an easier path but to hike along Burbage Edge you need to walk along the more rugged-looking trail which bears off to the left, near the sign.

Walk along Burbage Edge for about 2 km, going past the stone cairns. Then continue walking in a south-westerly direction for another 1 km until the path starts to descend and you reach the road.

Stage 2 – End of Burbage Edge to Over Owler Tor

Distance: 1.4 mile/2.3 km

Grid reference SK 26281 80547

Cross the road and go through a wooden gate, with a National Trust sign for Longshaw. Look out for deer around here, I spotted some last time I did the walk!

Then take the path heading right until you reach a stream, turn left here, then over the footbridge to the other side and continue walking down with the stream on your left.

Continue until you reach another footbridge, at this point you want to take the path on your right, which brings you out at a gate near the road. Before crossing the road, turn left to Owler Tor, which is great to explore.

Then go through the gate and across the road, though a second gate and head up the path to Over Owler Tor.

There’s a more defined path on the left-hand-side or you can make your way through across the top, but the iconic rocks will point you in the right direction.

Stage 3 – Over Owler Tor via Higgor Tor to Upper Burbage Bridge

Distance: 1.7 miles/2.8 km

Grid reference SK 250 807

From Over Owler Tor, continue walking north along the path and you’ll reach a large sheepfold (walled area). In front, you’ll see the gritstone rocks of Higger Tor.

Keep left to the wall and then follow the path which gradually ascends towards the end of Higger Tor rocks. As you near the rocks you can either opt to follow the path which will take you out and back, or you can scramble a small section to the top.

Walk along the edge of Higgor Tor, then turn left to follow the path back down to Upper Burbage car park.

Do you have any more questions about this walk? Ask me in the comments

Other options for the walk

Extend the walk

If you fancy a longer route, exploring the beautiful Padley Gorge area as part of your route, then why not check out this 8-mile walk

More walks in the Peak District

Here are a few more 5 and 6-mile walks that you might enjoy too:

• Rushup Edge + Mam Tor Walk From Barber Booth | 6-Mile Route
• Grindslow Knoll (via Ringing Roger) Walk From Edale | 5.5-Mile Route
• Chee Dale Walk From Miller Dale | 5-Mile Route

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