Heatherdene via Cutthroat Bridge, Jarvis Clough and Bamford Edge

Bamford, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Thursday, 3 April, 2008
Route 11

A circular walk from Heatherdene car park by way of Cutthroat Bridge, Jarvis Clough and Bamford Edge.

Information

Distance (km): 
9.90 km
Distance (miles): 
6.15 miles
Elevation (start point): 
217 metres
Latitude (start point): 
53.37
Longitude (start point): 
-1.69718
OS Grid Ref (start point): 
SK 20246 85946
Nearest Post Code: 
S33 0AZ
Car parking: 
Heatherdene
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Gallery

Details

Route notes 

The reward for a short walk and a bit of a climb is the spectacular view from Great Tor, Bamford Edge.

Route summary 

From Heatherdene car park this route, for a short distance, follows busy roads to Ladybower Inn before turning onto a track and climbing towards the peace and tranquillity of Ladybower Wood. It heads in a north-easterly direction until Highshaw Clough, descends to Cutthroat Bridge, crosses the busy A57 and follows a track along Hordron Edge to the solitude of Jarvis Clough.

The path climbs the western edge of Jarvis Clough, skirts around the northern fringes of Bamford Moor before passing by Pillars and gradually climbing to Bamford Edge.

The path along Bamford Edge provides many spectacular vistas before gradually descending to an old quarry complete with partially dressed millstones and eventually to the access point at New Road.

The route returns to Heatherdene car park along New Road and the A6013.

Route directions 

Exit Heatherdene car park and turn right along the A6013. Follow the road 500m, crossing Ladybower viaduct, to its junction with the A57. Turn right at the junction and follow the A57 300m to Ladybower Inn.

On the left, immediately after Ladybower Inn a track heads uphill (800m, SK 20495 86524) in a north-easterly direction. Follow this track for 1.25km until it joins a track from Cutthroat Bridge to Derwent Edge (2.2km, SK 21345 87492). Turn right following the fast flowing brook that descends Highshaw Clough until its confluence with Ladybower Brook at Cutthroat Bridge.

Cross over the A57 to a field gate and stile (2.35km, SK 21363 87374) which now allows access to Hordron Edge. Follow the track in a southerly direction, skirting Hordron Edge and gradually climbing, until the track swings to the east and heads up a sharp incline (3.35km, SK 21463 86432). Leave the track before the incline and descend to meet the brook flowing down Jarvis Clough. There is no clearly defined path but after crossing the brook turn right and head in a north-westerly direction towards a lone pine tree, gradually gaining height and eventually reaching an old quarry (3.65km, SK 21168 86499).

Continue past the quarry to meet a dry stone wall. Follow the wall in a south-easterly direction until the path descends to cross a brook near Pillars (4.5km, SK 20865 85939). The path becomes more defined as it begins to follow Bamford Edge. Follow the path along the edge in a southerly direction eventually reaching Great Tor (5.75km, SK 20753 84934). A great place for refreshments and to admire the panoramic views.

Continue along the edge in a south-easterly direction, gradually descending and eventually reaching old quarry workings and several abandoned millstones. Numerous paths descend towards New Road but by continuing in a south-easterly direction one will join a clearly defined path that descends to the designated access point at New Road (7km, SK 21548 83959).

Turn right down New Road until its junction with the A6013. Turn right along the A6013, eventually on the right, passing the old water treatment buildings (now apartments) where a track leaves the road (9.30km, SK 20145 85404) and ascends to a picnic area. Follow this track in a northerly direction back to Heatherdene car park.