Rushup Edge is a wonderful Peak District walk. I tend to find that this side of the ridge is much quieter than the more popular Mam Tor and the Great Ridge. It also includes one of the Peak District Ethels, Lord’s Seat summit, on the route.
The wonderful thing about walking along Rushup Edge is that you can enjoy beautiful views of the valleys either side, down to the villages of Edale and Castleton.
But you’ll also have magnificent views of Mam Tor as you walk towards it.
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Barber Booth, route information, GPX, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
I would always recommend that you take a paper map with you on the walk, details below on which map you need for this walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!
Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here.
Rushup Edge via Lord’s Seat from Barber Booth
Walk information + GPX
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 5.3 miles/8.5 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 359 m/1,177 ft
Highest point: 549 m/1,801 ft
Walk highlights: Walk along the ridge to Lord’s Seat and views towards Mam Tor summit
Trigs: 0
Ethels: 1 – Lord’s Seat (Rushup Edge)
Stiles: 4
Rushup Edge walk map
© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460
Click for OS online mapWalk start point
Start grid reference: SK 10757 84727
Car parking address: Barber Booth car park, Hope Valley, S33 7ZL – Google location
This is a really small, pay and display, car parking area, only big enough for about 10-12 cars, perfect for mid-week adventures. But if you’re planning on coming at the weekend, you either need to arrive really early or opt for walks from nearby Edale instead which has a larger car park and facilities. You can pay for parking using cards only and will find details on car parking charges here.
Public transport
Nearest train station: Edale train station (1.3 mile/2 km)
It’s a short walk along the road from Edale to Barber Booth, of course, there’s an alternative (off-road) route. Comment or drop me an email and I’ll share the best way to go.
Facilities on the walk
There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Barber Booth.
On the walk, there are also no toilets or other facilities. The nearest public toilets are at Edale village (1.3 miles away).
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
The ridge walk section is very exposed and can be cold on windy days as the wind hits you from every direction, have some warm layers to put on for this part of the walk.
Walking the last section can be quite muddy through the fields towards Barber Booth
This route is fairly easy to navigate once you’re on the ridge but I would recommend you take a map and compass (see below).
Check the weather for your walk location and hills
- BBC Weather for Edale
- Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Mam Tor (next summit along from Rushup Edge) 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.
Rushup Edge via Lord’s Seat walk route
Stage 1 – Barber Booth to Rushup Edge
Distance: 1.8 miles/2.8 km
Grid reference SK 10757 84727
From Barber Booth car park, first, head back down the track that you drove up for about 400 metres.
There’s then a stile on your right to climb over, following a narrow track as it gradually ascends through a couple of fields.
Walk up until you reach a wider track, known as ‘Chapel Gate’ (track). Follow this until you reach a fence where the path splits right and left, this is the start of Rushup Edge.
Stage 2 – Rushup Edge to Mam Tor (road below)
Distance: 1.7 mile/2.7 km
Grid reference SK 09917 82912
Turn left and follow the track, as it continues to ascend. Go through a gate, then the path flattens out, so you can enjoy the views without heavy breathing!
This section of the path is pretty straightforward as you follow the path along the ridge via several gates, admiring the views on both sides to the valleys and hills beyond.
As the path reaches a fenced off flatter area, known as Lord’s Seat, it’s a good place to stop for a drink or snack, especially when the sun is shining.

Continue walking along the ridge, towards Mam Tor. As you near the road which cuts through the hills, it’s fun to explore right to the end of the ridge but then it’s harder to get down.
Where the path splits just before, take the right-hand path down to a gate where you meet the road.
Stage 3 – Mam Tor to Barber Booth
Distance: 1.7 miles/2.7 km
Grid reference SK 12495 83437
Follow the road in between the hills, then go through the stile on the left, this cuts a short section of the road out, but definitely worth walking on the grass instead of concrete.
Descend gradually, over another stile and back onto the road, continuing down for a short distance until you see another stile on the opposite side a few hundred metres down.
Go over the stile and head down a narrow path, there are a few signposts to keep you on track but just head down, following Harden Clough through a few trees.
As the paths meet a cross junction, take the path on the left, which takes you over several muddy fields and a little bridge all the way to the road at Barber Booth.
From here, follow the road ahead all the way back to Barber Booth car park.
Do you have any more questions about the Rushup Edge walk? Ask me in the comments below.
Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here.
Options to extend this walk
If you’re loving this walk, you can continue up and over Mam Tor, then walk along the ridge to Hollins Cross and drop down from there. This would add about an extra mile onto this route. You can view the route here.
Or if you are feeling really adventurous then you could do the Edale Skyline from Barber Booth, the route I’ve shared is from Hope, but as it’s a huge 20-mile circular walk you can start at any point – Edale Skyline 20-mile route.
More walks in the Peak District
Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
Have you done this walk, let me know any feedback in the comments? Tell me in the comments below.
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