AUTHOR: Libby
Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Ascent: 376 m / 1230 ft
Bog level: Low (after prolonged heavy rain there can be boggy patches between Over Owler Tor and Carl Walk and the Padley Gorge path can get muddy but this route is generally dry).
Good for: An evening run or a weekend walk with friends/family. The grassy banks next to the little bridge at Padley Gorge makes a great stop for a picnic (And as an added bonus there’s often an ice cream van too). Its also very accessible by public transport.
“And though she be but little, she is fierce”.
For a short(er) route I always feel like this route packs a punch. The terrain undulates for almost the entire route taking in some short and sharp ascents (Mother Cap and Higgar Tor) and some longer more gradual ascents (Padley Gorge). For your effort you are rewarded with gritstone edges, grassy descents through silver birch woods and rocky paths alongside a picture postcard babbling brook.
Map of route
You can take the train to Grindleford station and start the route from the bottom of Padley Gorge or you can take the bus to the Fox House and start mid-way round the route.
Beauties and the bog 