Higger Tor walk along Burbage Rocks (circular, 4.5km)

This Higger Tor walk is all about the superb expansive views, so save this one for a clear day. When the clouds roll in, visibility makes navigation tricky, especially through the boggy section half way through. It’s also very exposed, so wear layers and bring appropriate clothing. And if you have kids who love climbing, there are boulders galore on this walk, so we suggest at least three hours for this walk to allow for Spiderman training.

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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.

Safe winter walking tips

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.

PDF WALK GUIDES

Higger Tor walk map

On all Peak District family walks it’s a good idea to have the OS Explorer Map OL1 (Dark Peak). We also like pointing out the features on the map to the kids, to help them get them used to map reading.

This Higger Tor walk follow the below map in a clockwise direction, starting from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park.

View OS online map

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.

Higger Tor walk (printable download) – 4.5km

£1.50

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Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 4.5km / 2.8 miles

TYPE OF WALK: A circular walk with lots of boulders to climb. Very exposed, and boggy in places. Take care in low visibility.

PARKING: Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park. Click here for Google Map location, postcode: S32 1BR. This car park is FREE!

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Unusual rock formations, LOTS of boulders for the kids to climb, and incredible views. Plus, Higger Tor!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Without kids this walk takes about 1.5 hours, but with young kids allow 3+ hours (there are so many rocks and boulders to play on!)

ACCESSIBILTY: No stiles, but the footpaths are rocky and very uneven, and half way around this walk it can get very muddy and boggy. Not suitable for pushchairs.

TOTAL ASCENT: 138 metres

PUBLIC TOILETS: There are no toilets or facilities on this walk. However, Longshaw Estate is nearby where there are toilets and café.

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. Starting from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park, walk through the metal gates where the public footpath is marked, and take a left. Follow this past two small tunnels that lead under the road for the stream to flow through. These are fun places for the kids to play.

2. Continue along the clear and defined footpath, with Burbage Rocks on your left. This is an easy, gradual downhill section, but it will take ages as your kids will want to play on the rocks. With the car park still in view, this walk may seem very slow going at this stage!

3. Follow along this footpath for about 1.8km until you see a footpath sign on your right (photo below) that leads you down into the valley.

4. Take a right and follow this footpath down to the bridge, and then follow the footpath directly opposite which climbs to the left of Higger Tor. Do be careful on this section as the footpath gets lost amongst the mud and bog. Keep the rocky outcrop of Carl Walk on your left, with Higger Tor on your right.

5. You will soon emerge onto a clear footpath that leads up to Higger Tor. Take a right and walk up to the summit. As you reach the summit of Higger Tor, keep right. Ignore the footpath than leads to the left, and take care with your footing.

6. From the top of Higger Tor, continue straight ahead for 200m, and then take the footpath on the right at the fork. Continue for 1km along Fiddlers Elbow back to the car park. This is the perfect stretch to play ‘The Floor is Lava‘ with all the rocks and boulders along the footpath.

After your Higger Tor walk

Whilst there are no facilities on, or at the start, of this Higger Tor walk, the village of Hathersage is 5 minutes drive away with lots of eatery options.

Alternatively, for something a bit different, Mayfield Animal Park is a 5 minutes drive in the other direction towards Sheffield, where kids can feed llamas and alpacas, see exotic animals, play in the outdoor mud kitchen, and there’s a small café on site too.

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.