Day 3: YHA Hathersage to Grindleford Station (4.3km)

This YHA Hathersage to Grindleford Station walk forms Day 3 of a 3-day hike from Edale to Grindleford, staying at YHAs and using the Hope Valley Line to return to Edale from Grindleford by train. Head over to the Edale to Grindleford multi-day hike guide for a full overview, including kit list, meals, what you can expect at the YHAs, and other tips.

After the hill climbs of Day 1 and Day 2, it’s a an easy-going and relatively flat walk for Day 3; walking along the River Derwent and through woodland from Hathersage to Grindleford, as you weave around the railway track. Remind yourself to look back behind you on this walk to spot Win Hill and the Great Ridge and appreciate how far you’ve walked over the three days.

Make sure you allow time to treat yourself to a drink and hot chips at Grindleford Station Café.

It is possible to do this walk as a day walk, separate from the 3-day Edale to Grindleford walk, by parking in Hathersage (Oddfellows Road Car Park) and then returning on the direct train from Grindleford to Hathersage.

YHA Hathersage to Grindleford Station 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…	£13.55	Buy on Amazon

This walk follows a linear route from Hathersage to Grindleford.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 4.3km / 2.7 miles

TYPE OF WALK: linear river and woodland walk

PARKING: If you are doing this as a day walk, and not as part of the 3-day hike from Edale, you can park in Hathersage, and then return on the train from Grindleford to Hathersage. Parking in Hathersage is at Oddfellows Road Car Park, opposite the entrance to Hathersage Swimming Pool. Click here for Google Maps location. Postcode is S32 1DU. £4.20 for us to 3 hours, £6.60 for all day parking. The machine takes both cards and cash, or you can pay online using PayByPhone (location: 806374).

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Both Hathersage and Grindleford are on the Hope Valley Line, so you can get a train to Hathersage (if coming from Manchester or Sheffield), follow this walk to Grindleford, and then get a direct train back from Grindleford.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: walking along the River Derwent, playing in the woodland as you approach Grindleford, spotting the regular trains running along the Hope Valley Line.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: This walk can be done in 1.5 hours, but allow for 3 hours with young kids.

TOTAL ASCENT: 89 metres

FACILITIES: After leaving YHA Hathersage, there are no facilities on this walk until you arrive to Grindleford Station where there is a café. Please note that the toilets at Grindleford Station Café are strictly for patrons only.

The route

START: YHA Hathersage
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 2274 8144
Post code: S32 1EH
what3words: ///vans.eternity.loopholes

This is a linear route.

1. Take a right out of YHA Hathersage and walk along the road. Just after walking underneath the railway bridge, there is a footpath on your left through a wooden gate.

2. Walk through to the field and then across to the far corner. Look out for the trains along the railway track that run over a small weir to your left.

4. Follow this footpath for 670 metres to the main road. Then cross the main road to pick up the footpath straight in front of you.

5. Follow this to the River Derwent and continue along this footpath for 730 metres.

6. At the footpath sign next to the drystone wall shown below, take a left behind the wall. Follow this slightly uphill (take in the views of Win Hill behind you) to walk under the railway arch.

7. Just 50 metres from the railway arch, there is a footpath junction. Take a right and follow the yellow arrows, passing an old barn on your right, and then into the woodland.

8. Continue through the woodland for 1km from railway arch. When you reach a point where the footpath splits (veering left one way, and crossing the railway track to the right), take the footpath veering left. This leads up to a wooden gate.

9. Walk through the gate and take the footpath to the right. This meets a cattle grid, which marks the top of the lane leading down to Grindleford Station. Follow this lane for 770 metres downhill to complete this Hathersage to Grindleford Station leg and Day 3 of the Edale to Grindleford walk.