Short Ox Stones walk, including trig point (circular, 1.7km): perfect for toddlers

Peak District Kids writer: Helen from Little Puddle People

This short Ox Stones walk close to the Sheffield border of the National Park is one of the best toddler walks in the Peak District as it ticks so many boxes; it’s relatively flat, the views are incredible, and there are rocks to climb. Plus, there’s a trig point to bag! In fact, the Ox Stones trig point is perhaps one of the easiest Peak District trig points to reach, as well as being our closest Peak District walk to Sheffield.

Wildlife enthusiasts should keep an eye out for caterpillars, butterflies, lizards, curlews and other ground nesting birds, hares; and be sure to look across the landscape for deer, especially when on top of the rocks.

With the changing terrain this is a great walk for little ones to build core strength and balance. But please note that this walk is not pram friendly due to the rocky and uneven terrain. Click here for our pram friendly walks in the Peak District.

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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

Ox Stones 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 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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	The Peak District: Dark Peak Area \| Weatherproof \| Peak…	£13.45	Buy on Amazon

This short Ox Stones walk follows the below map in an anticlockwise direction starting from the from the lay-by on Ringinglow Road.

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.

Ox Stones walk (printable download) – 1.7km

£1.50

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Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 1.7km / 1 mile

TYPE OF WALK: A circular walk, following rocky and uneven paths. There is a very slight incline but it is very gentle.

PARKING: Parking is in a lay-by on Ringinglow Road. Click here for Google Map point. Postcode is: S10 4QN.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Amazing views, Ox Stones trig point, wildlife (including a chance to see deer), and rocks to climb.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Whilst an adult can do this walk in 40 minutes, allow a good 1.5 hours to do this walk with very young kids.

ACCESSIBILITY: This walk is NOT pram friendly due to the rock and uneven paths. There are no stiles.

TOTAL ASCENT: 20 metres

PUBLIC TOILETS: There are no facilities at this location but a few minutes down the road towards Sheffield is Mayfield Alpacas (small animal farm, café and toilets) and the Norfolk Arms Pub (meals, drinks, toilets, car park, overnight campervan parking),

The route

START: lay-by on Ringinglow Road
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2785 8346
Post code: S10 4QN
what3words: ///mount.gears.voted

Route follows an anticlockwise direction.

1. Cross the road, walk over the tiny bridge and then towards the gate. Go through the gate and immediately through another gate on your right.

2. Follow the path as it heads between the heather. This footpath can be narrow and rocky in places, wide and soft underfoot in others, and often with a trickle of water runoff running alongside that is fun to splash through and follow!

3. At the junction where another path joins, follow to the right towards two huge stones. The rock on your right (which looks like a wedge of cheese) is the perfect rock for little bums to slide down.

4. After a few meters the magnificent Ox Stones will be in front of you. The rock on the right has a wonderful cave-like shape carved out, perfect for sheltering from the wind and play. Enjoy the view with a cuppa and/or snack.

5. Once you have finished exploring the rocks head to your left towards Ox Stones trig point.

6. Keep following the path downhill towards the wooden gate at the bottom.

7. Head left once through the gate, following the track back to the start!

If you would like to extend this walk you could either head towards Burbage edge or into Lady Cannings Plantation.

After your Ox Stones walk

Mayfield Animal Park is a small farm attraction just around the corner, entry is paid but you can access the café and facilities. The farm has a small indoor area housing exotic animals as well as rare breads, rescues and some wonderful friendly animals outdoors, including llamas and alpacas (which you can also feed).

The Norfolk Arms pub serves meals (including vegan and vegetarian options) and drinks, has extensive indoor and outdoor seating, plus a large car park with overnight parking for campervans available.

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.