Hathersage stepping stones walk: circular (5.3km)

Hathersage stepping stones, one of the main three Peak District stepping stones, sees a fraction of the tourist numbers at Dovedale stepping stones, but they are just as fun. It is also a lovely spot for the kids to have a paddle (a little further downstream). Plus this walk is accessible from Hathersage railway station for those arriving on public transport.

This circular Peak District family walk from the centre of Hathersage is easy-going and relatively flat. The first section keeps passing under and around the railway line, and you should spot trains chugging past between Manchester and Sheffield. Then this walk follows the footpaths along the River Derwent, through shady trees backed by open fields.

The stepping stones themselves are a little trickier than the Dovedale ones, so take care if you’re unsteady on your feet; small kids (under 5s) will need a helping hand as their legs aren’t quite long enough to reach across to each stone, and parents carrying little ones in back carriers will need good balance!

With Stanage Edge in the backdrop and following along the River Derwent, it’s a very pretty walk, and the reward at the end is a hot chocolate in one of Hathersage’s cafes! Or you may want to make a little detour to The Plough Inn before the final stretch back into Hathersage village (although meals are on the pricey side).

Map of the Hathersage stepping stones 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 Hathersage stepping stones walk follows the below route in an anticlockwise direction.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 5.3km / 3.3 miles

TYPE OF WALK: circular

PARKING: Oddfellows Road Car Park, Hathersage, opposite the entrance to Hathersage Swimming Pool. Click here for Google Maps location. Postcode is S32 1DU. £6 for all day parking. The machine takes both cards and cash, or you can pay online using PayByPhone (location: 806374).

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Hathersage Station

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Cross the Hope Valley railway line that links Manchester and Sheffield, jump across the Hathersage Stepping Stones, and enjoy hot chocolate from a Hathersage café at the very end.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Without kids, this is a 2 hour walk. However, allow a good 3+ hours to do this walk with younger kids.

ACCESSIBILTY: This is NOT a pram-friendly walk. No stiles, but parents with little ones in back carriers will need VERY good balance to cross the stepping stones. When river levels are high after wet weather, the stepping stones are often impassable.

TOTAL ASCENT: 41 metres

PUBLIC TOILETS: There are public toilets in Hathersage, as well as cafes, restaurants and pubs. However, there are no other facilities along the Derwent River.

The route

Please be warned that the Hathersage Stepping Stones may be impassable after heavy rains, meaning you will be unable to complete this circular walk. However, if you do the walk in reverse to the stepping stones and back again, it still makes for a lovely walk with the kids.

START: Oddfellows Road Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2315 8137
Post code: S32 1DU
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Route follows an anti clockwise direction.

1. With Hathersage swimming pool in front of you, take a right out of the car park to the main road. Then take a left at the main road and walk along the pavement for 90 metres.

2. At the road junction on your right, cross over, and follow the lane underneath the railway bridge. There’s a footpath before the actual road junction if you want to cut off the corner. Further along the lane, follow the bend to the right and left, around the stone house.

3. Just on the next bend, before the ‘The Music Mill’, take the footpath on the left. Look for the pretty weir under the railway bridge and keep an eye out for trains. Walk across the field to the top right hand corner, which leads out to another main road.

4. On reaching the road, cross over and and turn left, walking along the pavement. This is a busy road, so take care crossing. After 450 metres there is a footpath sign on your left. Carefully cross back over the road, and walk through the gate, following the footpath to the right across the field and down towards the river.

5. Follow the footpath along, with the River Derwent on your left, for 600 metres until you reach the Hathersage stepping stones.

6. Careful crossing the stones. Little ones may need a helping hand if their legs aren’t quite long enough.

7. Once you’re safely across the other side, follow the footpath to the left, signposted ‘Leadmill & Hathersage‘. The River Derwent is on your left.

8. Follow this footpath along the River Derwent for just over 2km, until you reach the B6001 that leads back in to Hathersage. Along the way are a couple of spots that are perfect for a picnic and a paddle (or even a spot of wild swimming).

9. Once you reach the road, you can detour to The Plough Inn on the right if you fancy a drink or are feeling peckish. Otherwise take a left and walk over the bridge. Just 100 metres along, there is a footpath to the left. Follow this footpath (it’s much more pleasant a walk along here than the main road) and pass through two gates.

10. You will soon reach the stone house you passed at the start of this walk. If you want to head straight back to the car park or railway station, take a right here and follow the lane back to the main road and retrace your steps. Otherwise, if you want to walk into Hathersage centre, follow the lane to the left behind the house and continue on the lane, which leads under the railway track, and into the centre of the village.

After your Hathersage Stepping Stones walk

There are lots of cafes and pubs to choose from in Hathersage. Or if little ones still have energy to burn, your may want to go for a play at Hathersage Playground.

You could also combine this walk with a visit to Hathersage Outdoor Swimming Pool. You need to pre-book a family swim session.

Hope Valley Ice Cream is also nearby, where you can taste some of the best homemade Peak District ice-cream, meet farm animals, and enjoy a short stroll in the fields around the farm.

If you’re considering staying overnight in Hathersage, a great budget option for families is YHA Hathersage.