WALKING GUIDE | Millstone & Padley Gorge, Peak District

Millstone & Padley Gorge | In Brief

Start: Grindleford Station | 5 miles | Moderate hike

This is a walk that we put together to take in a variety of the Peak District’s farmland, moorland and woodland. Parking at Grindleford Station - where there is a great little cafe that’s certainly worth visiting - the walk first heads onto an old farm track, passing a couple of farms, clusters of forest, and views of Lose Hill and Mam Tor as the Hope Valley comes into sight. Then ascend through beautiful moorland onto one of the Peak District’s famous gritstone edges, Millstone, before descending to Burbage Brook and the twisting ancient oak forest of Padley Gorge.

Find a downloadable OS Map of the route here.

Read on for the full walking description.

Farmland

Head off from Grindleford Station following an old farm track

Park at or take the train to Grindleford Station. There are a number of parking bays (pay & display) on the road leading down to the station, or trains arrive every hour from Sheffield or Manchester. From here, cross the railway bridge and follow the road up and around to the left, crossing another stone bridge that leads to some beautiful cottages and an old sawmill. Keep following the track as it passes the remains of Padley Chapel and heads into a wooded area. Continue on this track for around a mile, passing Greenwood Farm and then another abandoned farm, with views opening up to Lose Hill and Mam Tor on the left, and Millstone Edge to your right.

When you reach the main road that leads to Hathersage, walk with care along the pavement towards the former lodge on the corner. Head up Ringinglow Lane on the left, passing a small woodland on your right until you reach a gate and stile signposted for Little Moor.

Cross a stone bridge after the station and pass an old sawmill

Follow the farm track across wooded farmland

From the main road, take the lane to the left signposted to Ringinglow

Moorland

Follow moorland onto Millstone edge, descending to burbage brook

Head over the stile at Little Moor and follow the rough track towards Millstone Edge. Walk steeply through reed grass and high bracken until the path moves round to the right and you find yourself atop of Millstone Edge. Millstone is a manmade edge, where millstones were quarried for centuries. Continue along the edge, with beautiful 360 degree views, until the path starts to head downwards slightly. When you reach a gate on your right, take the path to the left with a view out to the manor house of the Longshaw Estate. This path leads to the Surprise View carpark.

Cross the carpark and the road with care, heading left along a track next to the road that quickly leaves the road and passes through a gate. Descend through a beautiful hollowed away path - lined with ferns and heather - that used to be part of an old packhorse route. At the bottom, you will reach Burbage Brook and a small wooden bridge.

Views of Millstone Edge from Little Moor

Woodland

Ramble through the ancient oak woodland of padley gorge

When you reach the lovely Burbage Brook, don’t cross the bridge but stay on the path that heads right, following the tumbling brook until it heads into the oak forest of Padley Gorge. One of the most beautiful wooded areas of the Peak, inside the forest you will find twisting sessile oak, mossy boulders, lofty pines, and the odd abandoned millstone scattered about. Autumn in the forest sees an explosion of colour, and is certainly the best time of year to enjoy this walk. As you head further down the gorge, following the trail, strings of waterfall plunge into the brook; make sure you look out for interesting fungi and wildlife as well. Ignore paths to the right and left , leading straight ahead until you reach the end of the forest at Upper Padley. Follow the steep road past luxurious houses, taking a left turn at the T junction and passing the old sawmill and stone bridge to return to Grindleford Station.

Following Burbage Brook into Padley Gorge

An old millstone on the path in Padley Gorge

Autumn is our favourite time of year to do this walk, for the array of colours throughout the woodland at Padley Gorge. Millstone Edge is beautiful at all times of year, and is a lovely example of one of the Peak District’s famous gritstone edges. Enjoy a bacon butty and cup of tea at Grindleford Station Cafe on your return.

Find our OS Map of the walk here.