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Stanage Pole walk (linear, 3.4km): with optional extension to Stanage Edge

Stanage Pole walk (linear, 3.4km): with optional extension to Stanage Edge

Peak District Kids writer: Helen from Little Puddle People

Channel your inner pirate as you explore Stanage Pole; a large wooden pole that has stood for hundred of years, marking the border between South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, Hathersage and Sheffield, and probably the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. Incredible views and rare wildlife come as standard on this hill conquering hike, and kids will love clambering on the nearby rocks too.

The Stanage Pole walk is all uphill, but don’t be put off! The changing terrain, flagstone paths, rocky track, open moorland and pine plantation will keep the interest going with kids, and don’t forget it’s downhill all the way back. 

There is an option to extend the walk by continuing on to Stanage Edge too.  

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When planning your 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.

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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 or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.

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.

Map of Stanage Pole 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.

This Stanage Pole walk follows a linear route.

OS Map for Stanage Pole walk
© Crown copyright 2024 OS AC0000861980

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:  3.4km / 2.1 miles (or 4.8km / 3 miles if extending to Stanage Edge) 

TYPE OF WALK: linear hill walk

PARKING: Redmires Plantation Car Park. Click here for the Google Map point, postcode is S10 4QZ. Parking here is FREE. If this car park is full, you can drive to the very end of the road and park along the side there. But please be considerate with your parking.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS:  Spectacular views, and a fun landmark to find!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow 1.5-2.5 hours for this walk. Although it’s not far it is steep! 

ACCESSIBILITY: There are no stiles, and this is not suitable for prams.

TOTAL ASCENT: 91 metres (109 metre if you continue on to Stanage Edge)

FACILITIES: There are no facilities on this walk. But a few minutes down the road from the start point towards Sheffield is The Three Merry Lads Pub, Sportsman Lodge Moor, and Blue Moo Cafe.

Redmires car park

The route

START: Redmires Plantation Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2564 8562
Post code: S10 4QZ
what3words: ///shower.opens.rents

This is a linear route.

1. Walk out of the car park and turn right, walking along the lane with the reservoir on your left until you reach the end of the track.

Stanage Pole walk

2. Continue straight up the track off Redmires Road. The track is called ‘The Long Causeway’ and is a medieval packhorse route leading from Redmires all the way to Hathersage. A steep embankment with a tiny water run off stream (if it’s been wet) should be on your left and the plantation on your right. 

3. Further on you will reach a gate. Continue straight through onto the flagstone track. You should begin to see Stanage Pole up ahead. 

4. Stanage Pole stands on top of the hill at 438m (1,437ft) above sea level.  It is a wooden pole with metal cap mounted between rocks.  After scrambling about on the rocks pretending to be the captain of a pirate ship and shouting ‘land ahoy!’ towards the incredible Stanage Lodge, it’s either time to turn around and head back the way you have come or continue down the hill to reach Stanage Edge

5. If you continue onwards and descend to Stanage Edge you will reach an old gateway and drystone wall on your left. In front of you is a big drop over the edge, so keep children close! The views are incredible, looking left up to Stanage Trig point and right across the Hope Valley and beyond. Admire the views, have a picnic on a rock and a scramble, before heading back the way you came down.  

6. Heading back over the hill from Stanage Pole, descending towards the reservoirs, offers a great view of Sheffield and the reservoirs.  


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.

Want more ideas for family walks?
Best Family Walks in the Peak District
Pram Friendly Peak District walks
Toddler walks in the Peak District


Or, use the search walks page to find your perfect family walk.

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:
Stanage Edge walk (7.7km, circular)
Hathersage Stepping Stones walk (4.9km, circular)
Bamford Edge walk (7.9km, circular)