Another day, another walk. Sandwiched in a week of rain was one dry day, so I dragged my old Shock Radio co-presenter Angela out of Rotherham for a bit of fresh air, venting about life and Ethel bagging.
Parking at Burbage Bridge is free but it gets busy at the weekends. There are a few car parks in the area though if you can’t find a space – Stanage Edge is a very popular walking/rock climbing destination.
Seeing as we’re here, we might as well have a nosey at Burbage Bridge.
Lovely brown water.
I wish I could say “lovely brown hair” – but do I detect some grey around my temple?! I’m blaming the light…
White Path Moss (Stanage Edge)
Ahead lay Stanage Edge.
We’d come at it from a higher start point, so the climb is easy. If you fancy a bit more of a hike, consider parking at Hooks Carr car park.
A couple of years ago, Brendan and I came here to bag White Path Moss and watch an absolutely glorious sunset at Robin Hood’s Cave – but we didn’t have time to go and bag the other Ethels in the area. So that’s why I’m here today.
The first trig point of the day is just a ten minute walk from the car park.
Bagged it, again.
Onwards along the Edge and there were so many rock climbers out today.
It was a Saturday so of course, Robin Hood’s Cave was busy.
Why does part of me wish to be stuck here during a heavy rain storm, sheltered from the weather? Maybe I was a cave troll in a previous life.
There are some deeper caves to explore here but today the depths were full of water and children, so we left.
Stanage Pole
Continuing along Stanage Edge you will come to this pathway.
This is the Long Causeway, a medieval packhorse route running between the nearby Hathersage and Sheffield to the north-east and in places marking the border between Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Some say it’s a Roman road, others disagree. What it definitely is, is a route to our next Ethel of the day.
A pole is believed to have stood on this site since at least 1550.
Stanage Pole also marks the ancient border between the kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.
My first Yorkshire Ethel bagged.
High Neb (Stanage Edge)
Onwards down the Long Causeway and back to Stanage Edge. High Neb in the distance is the highest point on Stanage Edge, and a trig awaits…
The Long Causeway dips into the valley before High Neb, which means you have to take a rockier path to the summit. It’s not too difficult but there are some potential trip-ups on the floor.
On the way you’ll pass this shelter, which is a good place to hide behind when you need a wee.
Sadly, the clouds were starting to gather.
My hopes of a suntan were gone.
Just under an hour after leaving Stanage Pole (toilet break included) we reached High Neb.
Bagged. Ethel #24 ticked off.
We could have descended into the valley and walked back to the cars that way, but I decided we’d walk back on ourselves along Stanage Edge, in case the clouds disappeared and we could further enjoy the views.
The clouds did not disappear.
Back near the White Path Moss trig we did descend off the ridge and headed directly for the mound in the distance.
Higger Tor
Higger Tor is easily reachable from Burbage Bridge, and even more easily reachable from a little lay-by at the foot of the rocks.
There is no trig up here so you have to judge for yourself the highest point. On my Ethel Ready app, this point is marked as the summit.
However, there is a rock formation nearby which seemed to be the true summit. So, to be safe…
Bagged.
With Higger Tor done, we headed back to the cars, past some calves.
This adventure wasn’t exactly tiresome or difficult, but for some reason I was absolutely shattered. I probably offended Angela by constantly yawning my head off – so apologies Thursby.
So that’s 25/95 Ethels done. Still so long to go…
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