The Fox House Pub and the Burbage Valley

The Burbage valley is a sweeping curved valley in the Dark Peak. The eastern boundary is marked by the crags of Burbage North (marked Burbage Rocks on the OS map) and Burbage south. Burbage north is a popular climbing crag with beginners, groups as well as attracting boulderers and other climbers to try their hand at classics such as Banana Finger, Knight's Move and Long Tall Sally. Burbage south has a fierce reputation, in my experience, well earned! There are a lot of very difficult routes here. The western boundary of the Burbage Valley is marked by 2 tors, at the north lies Higgar Tor, popular with tourists and Sunday strollers as it is just a short walk along an easy path to get a real feeling of the wild high Peak District Moorlands. South of Higgar Tor lies Carl Wark. This is a hill fort of unknown age, possibly Iron Age. One face of the remaining walls appears to have been vitrified using fire. The misfit stream of Burbage Brook flows the length of the valley and at the southern end flows through the delightful (and popular) Padley Gorge. Adding a little extra interest to this atmospheric location is a patch of forestry plus some natural areas of woodland associated with the two climbing crags.

First short walk near the Fox House Pub.

From the Fox House Pub, take the path that passes the gun club hut. Where it meets the Sheffield to Hathersage road, there is an access point to the open countryside. Take the path across the moors and follow it along the top of Burbage South crag, past the deep quarries (care as they are unfenced) and right along to the break between Burbage South crag and Burbage North Crag. At a crossing of paths, take the left one that drops you onto the main path which is more of a wide track. Follow that back to the Hathersage road and return to the Fox House alongside the road. If you want to avoid the road section, it is possible to find a number of paths leading off to the left before the end of the Burbage Valley track that will return you to the open country access point near the Fox House. This is a route that needs small children to be fully under control so that they dont drop off the cliff edge or get run over on the road section. The same goes for your dog, that should be on a lead at all times as sheep graze here.

Second short walk near the Fox House Pub.

From the Longshaws Car Park, take the footpath behind the buildings and follow it to the road Junction. Carefully cross the road (care needed as it is quite busy here at times) and take the bridleway (track) through the gate. After a while it becomes more of a path through a plantation (still a bridleway). Follow that through a second plantation and join the A625 close to the well named Grouse Inn. You can either visit the pub and return the same way that you came or simply return the same way that you came. Good views over Derbyshire, Froggatt and White Edge.

Third short walk near the Fox House Pub.

From the Fox House Pub, take the path that passes the gun club hut. Where it meets the Sheffield to Hathersage road, there is an access point to the open countryside. Take the path across the moors and follow it along the top of Burbage South crag, past the deep quarries (care as they are unfenced) and right along to the break between Burbage South crag and Burbage North Crag. At a crossing of paths, take the righ hand path and follow that until you meet a track. Turn right along the track (beware - off road motorcyclists and 4x4 drivers like to use it to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside) and return to the Fox House. This is a route that needs small children to be fully under control so that they dont drop off the cliff edge or get run over on the road section. The same goes for your dog, that should be on a lead at all times as sheep graze here.

Fourth short walk near the Fox House pub.

From the Longshaw Estate car park, walk down to join the estate entry road. Follow that to the end and cross the B6521 and follow the path through the woods. This brings you to Burbage Brook where it flows under the A6187 Sheffield-Hathersage road. Cross that at the bridge and enter take the path that leads upwards into the open country. Follow this all the way to Carl Wark. When you have had a good poke round at Carl Wark, drop down the north side and find the path that takes you down to the bridge that crosses Burbage Brook by the plantation. You can follow Burbage Brook back to the A6187, but bear in mind that you need to be on the right bank when you get back to the road. Cross the road and retrace your steps back to the parking. As with the other walks, sprogs and dogs need to be well under control as there is plenty of opportunity to get squashed by vehicles or fall off things.

Fifth short walk near the Fox House pub.

Start as for the fourth short walk but instead of crossing the A6187 go left (steep slippery descent in times of poor weather) and take a trundle down Padley Gorge and back.

There are millions (well OK, probably just hundreds though it seems like millions!!) of walking books aimed at the Peak District, for example I found these on Amazon:

Accommodation in the nearby area.

Cherry Tree Cottage, Self-Catering, Castleton - NW of the Peak District sleeps 2,3,4 Cherry Tree Cottage in Castleton is a cosy 18th century cottage situated at the heart of Castleton giving easy access to ... More information or visit Cherry Tree Cottage web site..

Bank Cottage, Self-Catering, Grindleford - NE of the Peak District sleeps 1,2,3,4,5.6 This delightful holiday cottage, one of a row, has been totally refurbished, yet retains the original character. Situated in an elevated position ... More information or visit Bank Cottage web site..

The Old Hall Barn Cottages - Winhill View Cottage, Self-Catering, Hope - NE of the Peak District sleeps 1,2,3,4 Barn conversion conveniently situated in the heart of the Peak District in the village of Hope ... More information or visit The Old Hall Barn Cottages - Winhill View Cottage web site..

The Old Hall Barn Cottages - The Old Hall Barn, Self-Catering, Hope - NE of the Peak District sleeps 1,2,3,4 Barn conversion conveniently situated in the heart of the Peak District in the village of Hope ... More information or visit The Old Hall Barn Cottages - The Old Hall Barn web site..

Glider View Cottage, Self-Catering, Little Hucklow - NW of the Peak District sleeps 1 or 2 Rural tranquility for two in the heart of the Peak District National Park ... More information or visit Glider View Cottage web site..

Cannon Croft, B&B, Hathersage - NE of the Peak District Situated in the village of Hathersage, close to some of the wildest and picturesque areas of the Peak District ... More information or visit Cannon Croft web site..

Pioneer House, B&B, Bamford - NE of the Peak District Pioneer House offers luxury B&B for sightseers and outdoors enthusiasts at the heart of the Dark Peak in the village of Bamford, Hope Valley ... More information or visit Pioneer House web site..

Old Hall Hotel, B and B Hope - NW of the Peak District The Old Hall Hotel offers good pub food and a comfortable night's sleep in the heart of the Peak District ... More information or visit Old Hall Hotel web site.. Special Offer: £55 for a room when booking 2 nights or more (Sun to Thur only).

Parson House Outdoor Pursuit Centre, B&B, Nr Hathersage - NE of the Peak District Bed and breakfast and/or a safe environment for outdoor activities for children and adults. Our instructors are fully qualified and experienced in a wide range of disciplines ... More information or visit Parson House Outdoor Pursuit Centre web site..

Sladen Lodge, Self-Catering, Hathersage - NE of the Peak District sleeps 7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 Spacious, contemporary accommodation in a superb location. More information or visit Sladen Lodge web site..

The Coach House, Self-Catering, Chapel-en-le-Frith - NE of the Peak District sleeps 1,2,3,4, 3 star graded character coach house conversion in a fabulous setting, close to Buxton and Castleton ... More information or visit The Coach House web site..

Bank Top Cottage, Self-Catering, Hathersage - NE of the Peak District Sleeps 2,3,4 This pretty, detached holiday cottage stands in the oldest part of Hathersage with lovely views over gently undulating hills ... More information or visit Bank Top Cottage web site..

Callow Barn, Self-Catering, Hathersage - NE of the Peak District sleeps 4,5,6,7,8 Converted barn with views of the superb Hope Valley from virtually all rooms ... More information or visit Callow Barn web site..

Total number of accommodation listings: 13

Disclaimer - please make sure that your party has the necessary skills, equipment and fitness before setting off into the hills. Someone in the party should be confident with navigation. The weather can change very quickly so be prepared. Badly behaved children and dogs should be left at home - it will be safer for them and less annoying for everyone else!