Across Stanton Moor

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Our view

"A Druid's moorland, plenty of fascinating rocks, and a stone circle."

Walk directions

Head left on the road and past the quarry entrance. After a quarter of a mile (400m) turn right for a signposted path on to the moor.

Go through a gate then fork directly left at the Cork Stone. This quickly becomes a wide track across the middle of the heather moor (ignore narrower paths to either side). Stay on the wide path as it enters silver birch scrub, then near a fence ahead, in a slight clearing, fork right on to a wide grassy track. Fork right at a corner of fencing then pass the King Stone and Nine Ladies.

From the interpretation panel at the stone circle, take a wide path directly opposite. Maintain your direction ahead at a split in the track; the wide sandy path leads to the Earl Grey Tower. Cross the stile then go down a set of stone steps on the far side of the tower. Keep a fenceline on your right on a narrow woodland path through Stanton Moor Edge. Detour left briefly at a corner for the Cat Stone or stay right with the fence for the main path.

Cross over a stile by a National Trust sign, then fork left and gently away from the fenceline. Turn left at a track junction, and go downhill to the road. Turn right, then take the next (signed) footpath on your left.

Follow this path beside a campsite, turn left by some buildings then right at Hill Carr Barn. A constrained grassy track squeezes through a stile then you follow the right-hand edge of two fields to meet the unsurfaced Clough Lane. Turn right along this and down to Cowley Knoll Farm.

Turn left on to a surfaced lane, then almost immediately right, by Uppertown Farm. The gated track leads to a path along the left edge of fields. Then, after hugging a wall on the right, the path continues past a cottage and begins a huge loop around a hilly outcrop and plantation. At the far end go through a gate and descend by a wire fence, bending right to the bottom of the plantation.

For the walk extension fork left and downhill. Otherwise, continue with the level track as it swings back towards Birchover. Join a gravel drive on a bend, take the lower route, then cross a junction, heading past The Old Vicarage. (For Rowtor Rocks, look for a narrow path on the left opposite The Old Vicarage.) At the road take the signposted footpath by the Millennium Stone (opposite the pub). Rise up along a wooded ridge back to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Firm moorland tracks, woodland and field paths

Landscape - Heather moorland and rolling pastoral landscapes

Dog friendliness - Keep on lead and under control; sheep on moor.

Parking - Car park opposite Birchover Stone Ltd on Birchover Road

Toilets en route - Main Street, Birchover

Walks in Derbyshire Dog-friendly walks in Derbyshire

About the walk

Stanton Moor is a small and distinctive upthrust of gritstone amid the limestone dales of the White Peak, where heather and silver birch provide a marked contrast to the rolling pasture and undulating river valleys all around. To the east it looks down on to the Derwent Valley and Matlock, while...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

The natural features of this central English county range from the modest heights of the Peak District National Park, where Kinder Scout stands at 2,088 ft (636 m), to the depths of its remarkable underground caverns, floodlit to reveal exquisite Blue John stone. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the High Peak Trail which extends from the Derwent Valley to the limestone plateau near Buxton, and for many, the spectacular scenery is what draws them to the area.