Blacka Moor Nature Reserve walk for toddlers (1.7km, circular)

Blacka Moor is the largest reserve cared for by Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and is part of the Eastern Peak District Moors.  It is a peaceful reserve teeming with wildlife and changing landscapes, stunning views over Sheffield, and a perfect spot for a cuppa. Indeed, this is one of our best Peak District walks near Sheffield.

This Blacka Moor walk, starting from Stoney Ridge car park, is just the right distance for a Peak District toddler walk and there are some great trees for climbing.

Red Deer are often spotted in this area (a good time to see them is dawn and dusk), and you may also spot birds of prey and rare migratory birds in this area (pack a bird book and some binoculars). In summer the bushes are filled with bilberries, attracting the rare Bilberry Bee.

Map of the Blacka Moor walk

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.

Preview	Product	Price
	The Peak District: Dark Peak Area | Weatherproof | Peak…	£13.55	Buy on Amazon

This Blacka Moor walk follows the below map in an clockwise direction.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 1.7km / 1.1 miles

TYPE OF WALK: circular moorland walk

PARKING: Stony Ridge Car Park, just off Hathersage Road. Click here for Google Map location. Postcode: S17 3BJ.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular views, fun flagstone paths across marshy areas, trees to climb.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow for 1-2 hours with a toddler.

ACCESSIBILITY: This walk is not pram friendly. There are no stiles.

TOTAL ASCENT: 46 metres

FACILITIES: There are no facilities on this walk.

The route

START: Stony Ridge Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2774 8058
Post code: S17 3BJ
what3words: ///bank.shin.mull

Route follows an anticlockwise direction.

1. Head through the entrance between the drystone wall and begin following the path through the woodland.

2. You will reach a gate. Continue through the gate following the path straight ahead. 

3. A little further along the path opens up. You will reach another gate and a path going to the right sweeping downhill. Take the footpath leading downhill to the right. 

4. As you head down through the woodland, a stunning view soon opens up in front of you. A number of paths begin to join, but continue ahead. There’s a perfectly situated bench along here and few rocks for scrambling around on.  

5. Just above the bench is a path. If you were coming downhill without stopping off at the bench you’d turn right. Take this path through the heather. 

6. A short way along, there is a footpath marker. Take the right turning heading slightly uphill. The path changes from bare ground to flagstones. We use these like stepping stones!

7. The path flattens out into an open space of grass. Keep walking straight ahead.

8. Soon you will reach another section of flagstones. This leads you over a marshy area great for looking for frogs and newts. Please ensure dogs and children stick to the stepping stones to protect the wildlife living in this water. Keep following the path straight ahead as it heads uphill. 

9. Go through the gate and turn right, following the access track back to the car park.