Dark Peak Walks. Paul Besley

most popular climbing crag in the country; the whole of Stanage Edge has over 1700 routes, most vertical in nature, making it a Mecca for generations of climbers. Robin Hood’s Cave, a natural rock feature is a must to go and see. After a bit of twisting and turning to gain entrance you are presented with a wonderful balcony from which to view the valley below.

      Follow the footpath until you reach the triangulation pillar where the path turns left and starts its descent from the edge to the road ahead. At the road turn left and cross Upper Burbage Bridge, after which you should cross the road and enter the valley by the gate in front of the information board.

      Take the wide footpath that runs below Burbage Rocks and follow this down through the valley, with Higger Tor and Carl Wark looming above on your right. Burbage Rocks will be full of climbers, having many easier routes than Stanage Edge.

      The footpath was constructed as a shooting track for the Duke of Rutland to gain access to the grouse moors from his shooting lodge at Longshaw. The establishment of the shooting estate closed off ancient roads across the moors and a remnant can be seen towards the end of the track, to the right in the valley below: a lonely packhorse bridge sits astride Burbage Brook (the stream near the fortification), below Carl Wark settlement.

      Along the drive you will find large boulders at the side of the track with strange indentations. These were the result of rifle practice in the Second World War.