This is a great walk with lots of historical features. Although it’s short in distance, it is quite hilly so a bit more demanding than you might think at first. There are plenty of rocks to explore so if you’re into bouldering or rock climbing, this could be a good spot.
I’ve been to the village of Elton countless times, having grown up just 10 minutes away and yet I had no idea that there was a Bronze Age stone circle there!
Distance: 3.25 miles
Time: 2 hours
Parking: You can park anywhere on the road in the village. We park on the road down the side of the churchyard, opposite the Duke of York pub.
The route
This route is taken from the Ordnance Survey Peak District Outstanding Circular Walks book.
Start from the Duke of York pub, facing the church (or from the car, if you’ve parked where I do). Take the lane down by the graveyard and then bear left and follow the track that’s signed to Youlgreave.
As the track goes right, take the small gate on the left. Keep walking until you reach a signpost at the end of a hedge and turn right. Head down the fields and there is a ravine which I think is a stream when there has been more rain, it was dry while we were there.
Cross this and then over a stile, bearing right along a path which eventually emerges onto Cliff Lane. Go over the stile opposite into the field above and then walk right beside the fence.
Walk to the crest of the field and then over another stile. Keep following this line and continue forward, there will be a woodland on the left of you at this point. Pass through a gate and then keep going where you will eventually join an obvious field track.
After a while you will reach a junction of paths. Take the gate on the right and go left through a kissing gate. Here, you’ll go into some woods where the path curves through the trees and then emerges onto a lane.
As you head uphill, you’ll soon be able to spot Robin Hood’s stride, an impressive rocky outcrop. Take a gate opposite the entrance to Harthill Moor Farm. The path here is signposted Robin Hood’s Stride and the Limestone Way.
Here you can go straight to Robin Hood’s stride to explore the rocks, or head to the left where you’ll find the remains of a Bronze Age stone circle. There are four upright stones here.
The Grey Ladies is one of 20 stone circles in the Peak District National Park and they are the tallest standing stones in Derbyshire.
Robin Hood’s Stride gets its name from two pinnacles spaced around 50ft apart – although it would take quite a leap, rather than a stride, to get between them! They’re popular challenges for local rock climbers.
Once you’ve had your fill of the stone circle and Robin Hood’s Stride, take a stile to the left of the rocks to continue on the walk. Cross the stile and then follow the track right to another stile on the left.
In this field you’ll find a second rocky outcrop, Cratcliff Tor, another interesting feature on the landscape. If you walk around the front of the cliffs, you’ll find a stone shelter at the base.
The Hermit’s Cave was the secluded cell of a 12th century religious ascetic who carved a crucifix into the rock there. You can still see it there today and it’s now protected by a metal grill so you can’t miss it.
Once you’ve explored these rocks, come back out of the field and back onto the track that you were on before. Follow it downhill and carry on at the edge of a field to join the track which comes from Cratcliff Cottage.
This cottage looks like an amazing place to live, in the shadow of the rocks, surrounded by breathtaking views.
As you meet a narrow lane, walk uphill for around 600 yards and you’ll get to a footpath which is signposted over a stile to the right.
From here it’s just heading across the fields towards the village, heading for the church. Eventually you’ll leave the fields on a path beside a cottage and then through the churchyard and back to the village.
Other walks in the Peak District and Derbyshire
If you enjoyed this walk and you’re looking for more then check out my favourite walks in the Peak District and Derbyshire and if you’re feeling up to it then why not take on the Peak District trig point challenge?
If you’re from Chesterfield I have also put together a list of some of the best walks in and around Chesterfield for you to try if you want to stay local.
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