Bamford edge is in the Peak District, a stunning area of Derbyshire, it has always been a pleasure to visit, come rain or shine.
Bamford Edge is at an elevation of 1381 ft (420 metres) and is popular with walkers and climbers as most of these types of gritstone rock edges are.
Many of Which you will find around the area locally, Stanage Edge, Froggat Edge, Curbar Edge etc The ascent at Bamford Edge, called “Smoked Salmon,” graded as E8 7b was first made by British climber, Johnny Dawes. Another well known climb is Gun Buttress on the Bamford edge.
If you’re a climber I imagine you might know some of the climbs along the edges.
As a walker, I know what I see, and that is a gorgeous panoramic view of Hope Valley where a lot of my adventures begin from and which, on a clear day can be seen particularly well from up on the edge, within view is the majestic Win hill, a much-favored walk in my family, behind it is Lose hill and Mam tor in the distance, down in the valley can be seen the lovely Hope village too.
If you’re lucky to have a clear day you can make out Castleton village which is known for its Blue John Jewelry and its cave tours. The unmistakable Hope cement works can be seen easily in the heart of the valley.
I’m lucky to live close enough to travel to Derbyshire for day trips, but I love weekend camping breaks in the Derbyshire Peak district too, it’s such a good base to travel out from for walks and recreation, even a small walk provides me with a beautiful canvas for photography.
While walking up to Bamford edge, the beauty is breathtaking, or is that the wind taking my breath?
It can get a little windy across the moors up high, just as it was on that day heading up to the edge, I feel it only adds to the ruggedness and increases my love of the place, the noise of the wind can be quite loud and blows the hair back.
The terrain is moorland heather, bracken and rocky, the paths are easy to follow and the colours change throughout the seasons as does the weather but again adds to the vibrance of the place.
Looking across the moor Stanage edge is in view on a clear day, another lovely place to walk, run or climb whilst in the area, I’ve noticed some people wild camping in the area too, perfect for those who want to spend more time up in wilderness to take some early morning sunrise shots, so long as there are no fires and no rubbish is left behind, some of my personal bugbears.
If you look carefully you may spot some of the unfinished millstones along the hillside, left abandoned after so much work went into creating them, a piece of history sitting amongst the heather.
There are plenty of spots sheltered by rocks that make calm places to stop for lunch, maybe a coffee if you bring a flask, the most beautiful views for a lunch break and just chill. Walking to the view point overlooking Hope valley and Ladybower reservoir and returning back to the roadside is roughly 3.5 miles (5km) depending whether you take any detours on the route.
Once you’ve walked along Bamford edge a short way, you’ll start seeing one of the best views over Ladybower reservoir, the Ashopton viaduct where the Snake Pass, (a57) crosses over the reservoir and on a good day you may spot the area above Derwent dam and the Howden dam tree line.
Another beautiful area worth exploring and where I’ve recently been walking.
On our walks we usually bring along the two dogs, Max and Bandit, so long as they’re on leads, dogs need to be kept on leads due to Sheep grazing in the area and to protect ground nesting birds. On the most recent walk we didn’t bring the dogs along with us, being just a day trip, and old Max in need of a few rest days.
I mention the dogs because they normally feature in my writing and are a big part of life and they love their walks with us in the countryside.
Bamford Edge can be reached on from Hathersage or from Bamford village by foot, or on occasion you might find a suitable roadside parking spot if you park responsibly and not in a passing place.
This time we drove up New Road, opposite the Yorkshire Bridge Inn and found a parking spot on a wider part of the road, we had a guest with us and wanted to guide her up to see the views from an easier access point.
Another good place to park would be closer to Stanage Edge, where parking is available and toilet facilities, a longer walk but so worth it!
There are many tracks to take, each with variable lengths, my eldest son, daughter, and my youngest sone have recently enjoyed walking up to Bamford Edge, then took a track down into the valley, across and up to Stanage Edge, they then followed the edges along until reaching a point to descend into Hathersage village. This can easily be adapted into a circular walk, beginning at Hathersage village.
Bamford train station is another great place to begin a walk to Bamford edge, which can also incorporate the Anglers Rest community owned pub and cafe, and on the same road The Yorkshire Bridge Inn near Ladybower reservoir, before heading up New Road to the Edges.
I’m looking forward to my next adventure at Bamford Edge in the High Peak and of course with my family and dogs in the Derbyshire countryside. There’s always a new adventure, more walks to be discovered. I hope I’ve been able to inspire you too.
