History Hike, Stone Circles and a Fun Little Scramble

One of the finest hikes in the Peak District and well suited to a crisp late autumn day.

Route: Harthill Moor and Stanton Moor.

Meet at: Outside the George Hotel, Alport Lane, Youlgreave, postcode DE45 1WN. Just park anywhere you can in the village and make your way to the hotel on foot to meet us. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.

This pleasant circular hike crosses between the gritstone of the Dark Peak and limestone of the White Peak, taking in some excellent scenery as well as stone circles and other sites of historical interest. As an added bonus there is also the option of a fun little scramble up the spectacular outcrop of Robin Hood’s Stride and loads of rocks to play about on along the way.

The full day will include a steady ascent along the Limestone Way through Bleakley Moor and up to an ancient castle site, a continuation over Harthill Moor taking in Nine Stones Close stone circle with the largest standing Stones in Derbyshire before heading over to Robin Hood’s Stride with the option of enjoying a 20 metre Grade 2 scramble to the top, or an easy walk up if you prefer, then a stroll through woodland and past the imposing crag of Cratcliffe as well as visiting The Hermit’s Cave with it’s ornate ancient carvings, then on through the village of Birchover to Rowtor Rocks, before passing through Barton Hill Wood to Stanton Moor and the hauntingly atmospheric Nine Ladies Stone Circle followed by a hike through the villages of Stanton In Peak and Alport and along the banks of the River Bradford and past the dramatic limestone cliff of Rheinstor on the way back to our starting point in Youlgreave.

Photos of some of our previous visits to Harthill Moor and Stanton Moor can be seen here:

https://4142298.xyz/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31919981/

https://4142298.xyz/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31400703/

https://4142298.xyz/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/29454151/

Difficulty: There are no unavoidable technical difficulties on this outing, it is just a straightforward and relatively easy hike. There is an optional short Grade 2 scramble as well as bouldering opportunities along the way which you can more or less make as easy or as hard as you want.

Experience Required: No previous experience required, all you need is a reasonable level of fitness, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather.

Duration: Approx. 12 km with height gain of approx. 370 metres. Estimated time 4 to 5 hours.

Ordnance Survey Map: OS 119 Buxton and Matlock 1:50 000 Scale.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.