Hidden within the cliff face of Stanage Edge is Robin Hood’s Cave; a secret cave where the notorious Robin Hood and his merry men are believed to have taken shelter. Seeing that Little John is from Hathersage, this could be very true.
This walk guide tells you exactly how to find Robin Hood’s Cave, but also offers so much more; there are the boulders of Cowper Stone to play on and Stanage Edge trig point to bag. Plus, we extend the walk a little further to reach Stanage Pole, a large wooden pole that has stood for hundred of years, marking the border between South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, Hathersage and Sheffield, and probably the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.
Yes, it’s a linear walk, but there’s so much to keep the kids engaged. Plus this Robin Hood’s Cave walk mostly leads you alongside Stanage Edge and the views are utterly breath-taking on a clear day.
If you just want a shorter walk to Stanage Pole, this can be reached from Redmires Plantation Car Park (click here for our route guide). We also have a separate Stanage Edge walk that explores the opposite end of this escarpment and takes in High Nebb trig point. If you’re up for it, you could even combine this other Stanage Edge walk with this Robin Hood’s Cave walk.
We should also mention that this walk starts from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park, which is the same starting point as our Higger Tor walk. If the kids still have energy at the end of this walk, you could also fit in Higger Tor for more epic views. There are just so many stunning family walks in this area of the Peak District, we’re sure you’ll be back for more.
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.
PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
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PRINTABLE WALK GUIDES
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Robin Hood’s Cave walk map
On all Peak District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the OS Explorer Map OL 01 (Dark Peak). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.
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This Robin Hood’s Cave walk to Stanage Pole follows a linear route from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park.
Get a printable download of this walk
Want to print off this walk guide rather than rely on your mobile? Then click here to download the PDF to print out at home. Perhaps print out a copy for the kids to follow the step-by-step directions and/or photos? It’s a great way to get them engaged with the walk and gives them a sense of responsibility.
All printable downloads are £2.50 each. Click here for the full list of Peak District Kids printable downloads.
Please note that your download link expires 72 hours from order, so make sure you save your PDF somewhere where you’ll remember it. If you are unsure where your download folder is on your mobile device, we recommend you download the PDF on your laptop or desktop.
Need to know
DISTANCE OF WALK: 6.9km / 4.3 miles
TYPE OF WALK: linear, escarpment walk with a trig point
PARKING: Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park. Click here for Google Map location, postcode: S32 1BR. There are parking charges from 9am to 6pm. Up to 2 hours is £2.50, up to 4 hours is £4, and all day is £4.75. Card payments are accepted.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Views, views, views! Plus, Cowper Stone, Stanage Edge trig point, boulders to climb, Robin Hood’s Cave, and Stanage Pole.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Without kids, this is a 2.5 hour walk, but allow at least 3.5 hours for exploring with young kids.
TOTAL ASCENT: 117 metres
ACCESSIBILTY: Rocky and uneven underfoot in places. No stiles.
FACILITIES: There are no toilets or facilities on this walk.
The route
START: Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2605 8301
Post code: S32 1BR
what3words: ///stocks.manage.bulb
Route follows a clockwise direction.
1. Cross over the road from the carpark and take a left. Walk along the footpath to the side of the road for 130 metres.
2. At the bend in the road, take the footpath on right towards Cowper Stone (the large rocky outcrop). Continue along this footpath to the top of Cowper Stone.
3. At the top of Cowper Stone, look to your left to find Stanage Edge trig point. Once you’ve taken the obligatory trig photos (and played in the rocks underneath the trig point), return to the main path and continue straight ahead along Stanage Edge, weaving around the boulders.
4. Follow the footpath along Stanage Edge for 800 metres, until you spot a natural window made from boulders. Just 15 metres past here on the left is the footpath down to Robin Hood’s Cave. Take care with your footing and be mindful of the steep drop.
5. Back on the main path, continue along Stanage Edge. 500 metres on, you will walk through an old drystone wall. Continue along the footpath with the drystone wall on your right.
6. 400 metres further on, where the wall ends, take a right, away from Stanage Edge. After 80 metres this meets a wide gravel track. Take a right and follow this all the way to Stanage Pole (630 metres).
7. From Stanage Pole, you can see over to Sheffield on a clear day. This large wooden pole that has stood for hundred of years, marks the border between South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, Hathersage and Sheffield, and probably the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.
8. Just behind Stanage Pole, you will spot a small wooden post. This marks a shortcut path you can take back to Stanage Edge. However, this footpath through the moorland gets exceptionally boggy and really, you’re better off returning back to Stanage Edge the way you came along the wide gravel track. If you do take this short cut across the moorland, please stick to the track and do not veer off so as to protect this habitat.
9. Back at the main Stanage Edge path, take a left and retrace your footsteps back to the car. When you get to the trig point, don’t miss the flagstone footpath to the left.
After your Robin Hood’s Cave walk
Whilst there are no facilities on, or at the start, of this Robin Hood’s Cave walk, the village of Hathersage is 5 minutes drive away with lots of eatery options.
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Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Peak District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @peakdistrictkids in your caption so we can share with our wider community.
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Want more ideas for family walks?
Best Family Walks in the Peak District
Pram Friendly Peak District walks
Toddler walks in the Peak District
Or, use the search walks page to find your perfect family walk.
Also, come and join our friendly Peak District Kids Facebook Group for any questions or to share photos of your walks.
You may also like to read:
Higger Tor walk along Burbage Rocks (circular, 4.5km)
Stanage Edge walk (7.7km, circular): including High Neb trig point
Curbar Edge short walk (circular, 3.3km)