Curbar Edge walk, inc. Froggatt Edge and White Edge (circular, 9.4km)

The circular Curbar Edge walk, which also takes in Froggatt Edge and White Edge, is a classic Peak District walk offering epic views, a trig point to bag, and a half-way pub stop. It’s one of our longer Peak District family walks, but kids will love the clambering on the boulders, which we save for the end of the walk (just watch out for those drops).

Although you don’t need to do the full loop to appreciate the views. Curbar Edge is just a short walk from Curbar Gap car park (the starting point of this Curbar Edge walk). It’s a very accessible view point and particularly special at sunset.

Please note that you are very exposed on this walk, and the weather can be wilder along these edges than down in the valley, so bring an extra layer of clothing with you.

As mentioned, there is a pub half way along this Curbar Edge circular walk, The Grouse Inn. In all honesty, they’re not overly welcoming to families (in fact children aren’t allowed in the main bar), although they do offer an affordable kids menu and the dining area at the back of the pub (where kids are allowed) is very lovely.

If you wanted to make this walk longer, you could combine it with our short Baslow Edge walk (2.7km), which also starts from Curbar Gap car park.

Curbar Edge 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 Active Map OL 24 (White Peak). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.

This Curbar Edge walk follows an anticlockwise direction. This means that the climbing boulders fun (the best bit for kids) is towards the end of the walk, rather than the start.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 9.4km (5.8 miles)

TYPE OF WALK: A circular walk with escarpment views.

PARKING: Curbar Gap car park (click here for Google Map Point). Postcode is: S32 3YR. Parking is FREE for NT and RSPB members, otherwise you need to pay by cash or card (£3.50 for 4 hours, or £5 for all day). This car park does get very busy at weekends and school holidays, so we suggest you arrive by 9:30am. Don’t risk parking behind double yellow lines, you will be ticketed.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Epic views, pub stop, trig point, boulder climbing.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE:  Without kids this would be a 3.5 hour walk. With younger kids this walk can easily take 5 hours, although you should allow for a full day, so start early.

TOTAL ASCENT: 209 metres

PUBLIC TOILETS: There are no toilet facilities on this walk or at the car park. Although during weekends and schools holidays, Jolly’s Coffee and Cake (a cute van-turned-café) can be found at the car park. There is also The Grouse Inn almost half way around this walk, but only paying customers can use the facilities.

The route

START: Curbar Gap car park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2621 7468
Post code: S32 3YR
what3words: ///bribing.however.disgraced

Route follows an anticlockwise direction.

1. Next to the car park entrance is a footpath leading to White Edge. Walk through the wooden gate and follow this footpath. When the path forks in 120 metres, continue straight ahead.

2. Just after a stone bridge over a brook, follow the stone steps uphill. Continue following the drystone wall to your left and the wooden sign to White Edge.

3. Continue along White Edge for 900 metres to White Edge trig point. You will need to detour from the main path to reach the trig point. Don’t worry, it’s obvious as you can see the trig point from the main path and there is a footpath that leads you to it.

4. From White Edge trig point, return to the main path along White Edge. 2.3km along is a footpath junction at a drystone wall. Take a left and continue downhill, following signs to Grouse Inn. This leads through a small section of woodland.

5. At the bottom of the hill, walk through the gate and then cross the field towards the pub. Walk through the next gate and follow the footpath alongside the road to the left towards the pub. Take care crossing the road as cars go rather fast along here. Time to refuel at the pub?

6. Just after the pub is a footpath on right. Climb over the stile and follow the footpath diagonally across the field to the gap in the drystone wall. This is part of the Longshaw Estate. Continue across the next field to a wooden gate and walk through a second gate, leading into the woodland.

7. Take a left and walk through the woods, keeping the small carpark on your left. Continue straight, the footpath leads down to a brook and up to the road.

8. Take a right at the road and pick up the footpath on the other side. Continue along the footpath uphill at first and then it soon levels off.

9. A wooden gate marks the start of Froggatt Edge. 200 metres along from the gate is a small Stone Circle on your left, just off the footpath.

10. Continue along Froggatt Edge to a group of boulders that are great for the kids to explore.

11. Continue along the same footpath, which leads directly onto Curbar Edge. Here you will find more boulders for the kids to play on and the views are superb. Watch out for those drops!

12. This footpath leads you all the way back towards the car park. Just before you reach the car park there is a gate to walk through and you need to follow the footpath around to the the left. Some steps to your right lead you into the car park to complete this Curbar Edge walk.

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You may also like to read:
Baslow Edge circular walk (2.7km)
River Derwent walk from Curbar to Froggatt (4km)
Birchen Edge circular walk (2.6km)