Trail Running > Routes > Peak District Routes > Stanage Edge & Higger Tor
An elemental 15 km trail run across Stanage Edge, with gritstone tors, wild moors and sweeping Peak District views.
Why run this trail?
Stanage Edge is the longest gritstone escarpment in the Peak District – a 6 km wall of weathered tors, otherworldly rocks and sweeping moorland views.
Best known as one of Britain’s premier rock climbing destinations, it’s equally popular with trail runners and hosts an annual fell race from nearby Hathersage. Its proximity to Sheffield means there’s always a healthy contingent of runners out on the edge in all weathers.
Starting from Upper Burbage Bridge, this route takes in a circuit of Higger Tor and the ancient fortification of Carl Wark before crossing the moors on the sandy trail of Houndkirk Road – an old packhorse route with possible Roman origins. The rough, boggy section over White Stones adds a touch of classic Peak District texture before the steady climb to Stanedge Pole.
The payoff is the run along Stanage Edge itself – a captivating, rock-hopping traverse that will definitely test those ankles. The views are immense and there’s even the added bonus of a downhill finish.
Upper Burbage Bridge to Higger Tor
The run starts from the pay and display car park at Upper Burbage Bridge – there’s free parking in lay-bys on Ringinglow Road if you can find a spot.
Pass through the metal gate from the car park and take the right hand spur of the track onto the moor. The path winds its way between the rocks and heather and within a few minutes you’ll see the squat table-top shape of Higger Tor ahead.
Follow the wide, sandy track and final steep ramp up to the top of Higger Tor, and head for the southern most tip of the small plateau through the maze of crags. There are good views of Burbage Rocks across the valley to your left and the outcrop of Carl Wark – your next destination – directly south.
Scramble down through the narrow gullies of rock at the far end of Higger Tor to continue to Carl Wark.
Higger Tor to Carl Wark
It’s an easy jog across to Carl Wark followed by a little kick up to reach the top.
Smaller than Higger Tor, it’s perhaps the more interesting of the two, being partly man-made. Believed to be an Iron Age hill fort and subsequently refortified after the Romans left, it has two well-preserved ramparts faced with large boulders on the north and south edges. These make good vantage points from which to gaze across the moors to the hills of the Hope Valley.
Carl Wark to Houndkirk Road
Descend from Carl Wark down to Burbage Brook and cross over the footbridge, then take a narrow path off to the left which winds and climbs diagonally across the hillside through heather and rocks.
You’ll join a wide, sandy track at the top of the climb by some large boulders. Turn left and after 60 m, follow the signpost off to the right onto higher moorland and a small escarpment on the skyline.
Continue on this track for 1 km to join Houndkirk Road – a wide, sandy byway. To your right, the moors fall away to reveal the outskirts of Sheffield.
Houndkirk Road to Ox Stones
Continue on the Houndkirk Road as it rolls its way across the moors. After 1.5 km, you’ll reach a crossroad of tracks. Turn left and after 400 m, left again to climb gradually up to a trig point and – just beyond it – The Ox Stones.
It seems every rock formation in the Peak District is named after an animal. Did these resemble oxen from the right angle? I couldn’t say for certain, but they definitely provided brief shelter from what had become an absolutely cutting wind.
Ox Stones to Rud Hill
Drop down from the Ox Stones to the treeline then head left on the main track. After 300 m, pass through the gate, bearing slightly right to cross Ringinglow Road and continue through the gate opposite onto (more!) moors.
Keep on the main track as it winds through some disused quarries – now just large hummocks of heather – and heads into a farm via a walled, sunken lane. Pass through the farmyard and along the farm track to join Fulwood Lane.
Turn left on the lane and after around 100 m, go over the ladder stile to your left. Follow the track uphill across two fields, keeping the wall to your left as you pass the service reservoir at Rud Hill. You will then cross a stile onto open moorland.
Rud Hill to Stanedge Pole
This section is very boggy and the paths are faint. Navigation here is simple in theory – stay high and continue straight across the moor above Redmires Reservoirs – though the bogs may have other ideas.
After some squelching and hopping, you’ll shortly arrive at a scattering of rocks – this is White Stones. As the rocks increase in size, take the track off to the right heading downhill towards the reservoirs. Skirt the reservoir on the clear track and turn left through a gate to join a wide gravel lane heading uphill.
Follow the track as it climbs steadily uphill for 1 km to reach Stanedge Pole – a historic way marker on the border between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Stanedge Pole to Stanage Edge
Continue on the well-made track for around 700 m then turn left to join the rocky trail along the top of Stanage Edge.
From here, it’s a compelling traverse along the edge – hopping between the dramatic rock formations and winding through narrow channels across the exposed crag tops. It’s a busy spot with hikers, rock climbers and walkers of all kinds, but still manages to feel truly wild and elemental.
After around 2 km, you’ll arrive at the White Path Moss trig point (457 m), sitting atop a large pillow of rock, with stellar views across to Win Hill, the Great Ridge and the Kinder plateau to the east.
Stanage Edge to Upper Burbage Bridge
From the trig point, it’s an easy 1 km downhill dash and a short stretch beside the road back to the car park.
After all the rock-hopping and bog-trotting, and with the ghost of the wind still whistling in your ears, the prospect of dry socks and a strong coffee will feel richly deserved.
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Trail Running Routes in the Peak District
Disclaimer
All routes and GPX files are provided as a guide only. Conditions, rights of way, and landmarks may change. Always carry an up‑to‑date map and use your own judgement. See the Trail Run Disclaimer page for details.