16th March 2014 - Stanton Moor & Robin Hood's Stride
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.8 miles
Total ascent: 1479 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Winster-Clough Wood-Clough Lane-Barn Farm-Stanton Moor-Birchover Road-Birchover-Rowtor Rocks-B5056-Limestone Way-Robin Hood's Stride-Cliff Lane-Elton-Limestone Way-B5056-Limestone Way-Winster
The weather at home and further north wasn't at all good. Overcast skies, low cloud, drizzle and windy. It was forecast to be better to the south and east so I set off for another walk in the Peak District not far from where I was last weekend. I just about made it into the sunshine. The sun came and went throughout the day and dark clouds stayed to the northwest towards Buxton but it was pleasant spring weather.
From Winster there was a brief walk on the B5057 out of the village to take the path down into Clough Wood. I walked through the woods and up onto the other side of the valley to the bridleway of Clough Lane. I then took a path across to Barn Farm and Lees Road to reach Stanton Moor. From Stanton Moor I walked down Birchover Road and through woods to Birchover. Leaving Birchover I paid Rowtor Rocks a visit before following a path to the B5056 and the Limestone Way. I then followed this trail to Robin Hood's Stride and on to Cliff Lane. I walked south down the lane and then a took a footpath across fields to Elton. I was back on the Limestone Way on leaving Elton and this took me to the hillside above Winster. A short walk downhill and I was back at the start.
Total ascent: 1479 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Winster-Clough Wood-Clough Lane-Barn Farm-Stanton Moor-Birchover Road-Birchover-Rowtor Rocks-B5056-Limestone Way-Robin Hood's Stride-Cliff Lane-Elton-Limestone Way-B5056-Limestone Way-Winster
The weather at home and further north wasn't at all good. Overcast skies, low cloud, drizzle and windy. It was forecast to be better to the south and east so I set off for another walk in the Peak District not far from where I was last weekend. I just about made it into the sunshine. The sun came and went throughout the day and dark clouds stayed to the northwest towards Buxton but it was pleasant spring weather.
From Winster there was a brief walk on the B5057 out of the village to take the path down into Clough Wood. I walked through the woods and up onto the other side of the valley to the bridleway of Clough Lane. I then took a path across to Barn Farm and Lees Road to reach Stanton Moor. From Stanton Moor I walked down Birchover Road and through woods to Birchover. Leaving Birchover I paid Rowtor Rocks a visit before following a path to the B5056 and the Limestone Way. I then followed this trail to Robin Hood's Stride and on to Cliff Lane. I walked south down the lane and then a took a footpath across fields to Elton. I was back on the Limestone Way on leaving Elton and this took me to the hillside above Winster. A short walk downhill and I was back at the start.
Route map
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The main street through Winster on a quiet Sunday morning. Before I set off I'm going to have a quick look at Winster Market House.
The National Trust property of Winster Market House
A brief walk on the road east out of Winster to take a path down into Clough Wood. I'll cross to the other side of the valley and then up and to the left.
On the path through Clough Wood
Up ahead a fallen tree had completely blocked the path. Luckily I managed to find a way through it. Wherever I've been through the past couple of months I've noticed a lot of trees with broken limbs or worse.
On the bridleway of Clough Lane
At the eastern edge of Stanton Moor. Looking down the Derwent valley towards Matlock.
and across Darley Dale
The heathery expanse of Stanton Moor
Heading north along the path on the eastern side of the moor I pass the folly to reach..
..the Nine Ladies Stone Circle. I've included a link to website with some information.
By the trig point that marks the top of Stanton Moor
The Cork Stone. At the southern end of Stanton Moor.
Another stretch of woodland walking as I head down to Birchover
The Birchover Millennium Stone
Leaving Birchover I passed Rowtor Rocks. I had never heard of them but I couldn't walk on by without having a look. The canopy on the north side. There are numerous caves, passages and steps carved into the rock. I made my may to the top through the gap on the left, a tight squeeze with the rucksack on my back.
On top of Rowtor Rocks
The view north from the top of Rowtor Rocks
Robin Hood's Stride and Cratcliff Tor
Heading down to the B5056 to join the Limestone Way
On top of Robin Hood's Stride. It was very windy. I had to brace myself so that I could stand still enough to take a picture.
The view north from Robin Hood's Stride
and to the northwest with the village of Youlgrave in the sun mid-distance
Winster is on the distant hillside to the southeast. I'll be walking along it at the end of the walk.
Robin Hood's Stride
Zooming in on a stone circle in a nearby field
After walking along a lane for a while it's time to head across the fields to Elton
Looking back on reaching Elton. The hill on the right is Anthony Hill.
Making my way through the village of Elton
and onto the Limestone Way
Stanton Moor in the distance
Looking to the north I could make out the rocky outcrops of Robin Hood's Stride and Cratcliff Tor
The limestone outcrop of Grey Tor
It's Little and Large
After crossing a road I'm back on the Limestone Way above Winster
Winster just below. The rocky outcrop in the trees on the left is Wyns Tor.
The valley I started the walk by descending into. It joins the Derwent just a short distance downstream.
Heading down to Winster with Stanton Moor the backdrop
At the bottom of the lane and I'll be back on Winster's main street