The whole 6.5 mile walk is in the Sheffield boundary, including the Surprise view carpark, on the Hathersage Road. Walk left along the main road from the cark park to Toads Mouth Bridge, a safer route would be to cross the road & walk up Padley Gorge by the stream, but this is in Derbyshire . After the bridge take the slightly hidden path just to the right of the main Burbage valley track , gates & mobility parking spaces. The path we took rises quickly to a gate & then up to the right hand edge of Burbage Valley.
This is the view down from our rocky edge path, towards Higger Tor . Keep walking up and climbing round the edge of the valley. Massive rocks and cliffs , all in beautiful gingery brown , the rain enhanced the colours.
We spotted a rain squall coming over from Hathersage, so we sheltered under this massive gritstone near the path & set off when the rain had subsided. On, up and around the edge , the path is very clear.
Our path follows the curve of the edge and passes these blocky cliffs just before we reach the head of the valley, and the Burbage Car Park. There is often an ice cream van there in summer. Follow the path across the stream at the base of the road, and take one of the paths, lower or upper that curves back along the lip of the opposite valley side …facing towards the incredibly rocky & photogenic Higger Tor.
Walk along & climb up the Tor, it is steep but with great views over Hathersage one way, and the Burbage Valley the other. To get to the next part of the walk, take the right hand path on top of the Tor to the far right hand corner where you will find a small but gentle path curving down the side … you will see a rectangular Sheep Fold along the path … take the track to the right of this , that curves around … you will see Owler Tor rocks & the rocks of Surprise view. En route you may pass some cows & look over to Hathersage.
Follow the path to the right of the rocks and you will come to Surprise View … the Victorians loved it. The high cliffs of Millstone Edge are loved by climbers, but gated off to protect kids & walkers. Great views down to Hathersage .
Follow the path from Surprise view back down to the car park. There is an obvious well maintained mobility path that leads from the car park up to the view point.
The best map is the Landranger Dark Peak map . There are lots of variations of this walk, in reverse or using the valley path. Hope you enjoyed this walk. You will need proper boots or wellies for this walk & decent rain gear as its exposed but with fabulous views. It’s another undiscovered bit of Sheffield !! Follow me for Walk 4 in the series
Best wishes Karen
www.karenperkinslifecoach.co.uk Follow me on Insta & Twitter @fabcoach Book a free taster session now .