Peak District Kids writer: Helen from Little Puddle People
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.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, but I receive a small commission.
If you are planning a 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.
During the winter months, it’s important to be extra prepared and safe when out walking and adventuring in the Peak District. The weather can change so quickly, especially on the exposed escarpments, and we don’t want you to get caught out.
Read our top tips for safe winter walking with the kids.
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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 provided for every walk, or what3words.
Do check out our top tips for hiking with young kids, as well as our essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District.
Download and print out our walking guides ready for your family walk. There are over 80 downloadable walk guides available, and these include all the main Peak District family walks, pram-friendly walks, and toddler walks.
Each printable download is just £1.50, whether it’s a short 1km stroll or an epic walk up Kinder Scout.
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.
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This Blacka Moor walk follows the below map in an clockwise direction.
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 £1.50 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: 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.
Peak District Kids is a free online resource. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much!
Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Peak District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using the #peakdistrictkids hashtag so we can share with our wider community.
Or perhaps purchase a Peak District Kids iron-on patch. £1 from every sale of the iron-on patches goes towards the Peak District National Park Foundation, a registered charity established to raise funds to care for the Peak District National Park.
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My Walks Log Book£9.85 -
Peak District Kids snoods£11.95 -
Peak District Kids iron-on patches£5.50
Want more ideas for family walks?
Best Family Walks in the Peak District
Pram Friendly Peak District walks
Toddler walks in the Peak District
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:
Ox Stones walk (circular, 1.7km)
Longshaw Estate toddler walk (circular, 1km)
Visiting Mayfield Alpacas Animal Park