15-mile hard Peak District walk via Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow, Birchen & White Edge. Deer, sunset & Harvest Moon

The Peak District has a way of making the landscape feel timeless. Ancient edges rise above quiet valleys, old stone monuments stand against the wind, and the open moors stretch beneath huge skies that seem to have no end. From the wooded valleys around Froggatt and Curbar to the sweeping ridgelines of Baslow, Birchen and White Edge, this is a landscape shaped by wind, weather, and centuries of footsteps.

Join us for a challenging but unforgettable circular adventure across some of the Peak District's most spectacular edges and moorland. We'll follow the rugged heights of Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edge, before reaching Birchen Edge and its striking Nelson's Monument, built in memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Nelson,_1st_Viscount_Nelson) following his famous victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trafalgar). Standing high above the surrounding landscape, the monument rewards the climb with beautiful sweeping views across the Peak District.

From there, we'll continue across the wide-open landscape of White Edge and Big Moor. As the day unfolds, the character of the landscape will keep changing — from wooded valleys and rocky escarpments to vast horizons across the Derbyshire moors. And if we're lucky, the autumn hills may offer something truly special: wild red deer moving across the moorland, with the deep roar of stags carrying across the landscape during the autumn rut.

As evening approaches, the walk takes on a different atmosphere beneath the full Moon. If the skies are clear, moonlight will begin to illuminate the familiar hills and edges as darkness falls, casting the surrounding landscape in a completely different light. The open moorland, silhouettes of the ridges and vast night sky should make the final part of the walk feel very different from the landscape we experienced during the day.

Walking under a full Moon offers a chance to experience the Peak District from another perspective — quieter, darker and more atmospheric, with the moonlight guiding us across the hills and stars appearing overhead. Of course, the experience will depend on the weather and cloud conditions on the night.

It's a long and demanding day, but one filled with wild landscapes, sweeping views, autumn colours, the possibility of red deer and, as darkness arrives, the atmospheric glow of the full Moon. Come prepared for a challenging day on the hills and an evening experience that should be quite unlike an ordinary Peak District walk.

📸 Featured Photo of this Event

Full moon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowstonenps/7509140478) by Jim Peaco / Yellowstone National Park (https://www.flickr.com/people/yellowstonenps/) is in the public domain.

📍 Meeting Location & Time

Meeting Location: Grindleford Station Café, Upper Padley, S32 2JA

Link to Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXdLUyTuqjYQkJJk6 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXdLUyTuqjYQkJJk6)

Link to What3words: https://what3words.com/famous.bland.flats (https://what3words.com/famous.bland.flats)

Meeting Time: 12:45 PM

Start Time: 13:00 (1:00 PM)

🥾 Walk Overview

Distance: ~15 miles (24 km)

Elevation Gain: ~1,900 ft (600 mt)

Duration: ~7 hours

Difficulty: Hard

Route Type: Circular

🐇🐢 Pace & Fitness Requirements

This is a long and challenging walk, so please make sure you’re comfortable with the distance, terrain and planned pace.

We’ll do our best to keep everyone together and wait when we can, but we may not always be able to wait for long if someone falls significantly behind. Please come prepared and confident that you can keep up with the group.

We recommend downloading the route in advance in case you need to take a shortcut or continue independently.

⛰️ Route Highlights

Froggatt

Curbar

Baslow Edge

Nelson's Monument

Birchen Edge

White Edge

📲 Route Links

View Route on Komoot (https://www.komoot.com/tour/3192211604)

Download GPX file (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o-_D-p8e1Jrws48MkNRJ7NoRCFWG8Sn8/view)

🚆 Public Transport

direct trains from/to Sheffield

direct trains from/to Manchester

🌦️ Weather & Clothing

The weather on the hills can be highly variable, windy, and cold — even during the summer months.

Please wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip to handle muddy and slippery terrain. Avoid flat trainers or jeans.

Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions:

Moisture-wicking base layers

Insulating mid-layers

Waterproof outer layers

Useful links for weather forecasts:

Grindleford @ BBC Weather (https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2647869)

Froggatt @ BBC Weather (https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2649027)

🎒 What to Bring

Sturdy walking boots or shoes with good grip (no flat trainers)

Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (avoid jeans)

Sufficient food and water for the entire day

Waterproof jacket and warm layers

Sun protection (suncream, sunglasses)

Torch (or hea

Description supplied by the event organiser.