Birchen Edge

About trip

Two monoliths erected in memory of Nelson and Wellington make excellent route markers for this walk. The route crosses stark gritstone edges on the skyline above Bar Brook, which offer magnificent views of the surrounding moors and parkland. Directions: a Park near the Robin Hood Inn above the A619 Chesterfield road. Walk past the adjoining cottage and go through the gate on the left. Follow the rocky, woodland path uphill, aiming for the crest of Birchen Edge. b Take care on reaching the lower part of the crag and follow the path through a rocky gap, Turn left along the summit rocks. c At the triangulation pillar, turn left downhill through the narrow gap in the crag. Turn right along a narrow moorland path following occasional wooden marker posts. d Climb a ladder stile and turn left on to the road. Follow it with great care across the busy A621 Sheffield road. Walk uphill, opposite, for about 150yds (137m). e Go left through a gate on to a turf covered moorland track. f Follow the moorland track as far as the moorland boundary. g After passing the old quarry on the right, turn back left and follow the wall and fence into oak woodland. Drop downhill along a faint and windy path through trees, to a gate and a narrow path around a house. h A horse trough to the left of Cupola Cottage marks the way. Walk steadily uphill through the scattered birch wood. i Cross the bracken covered field. j Climb the stone stile and turn left along the main road back to the Robin Hood Inn. Places of Interest: 1 Nelson's Monument. Nearby are three boulders, each shaped like the bow of a man-of-war. They are fancifully named Victory, Defiance and Sovereign – all ships at the Battle of Trafalgar. 2 Viewpoint. Chatsworth House and its park fills the valley. To the left is the largest expanse of grouse moor in the Southern Pennines. 3 Wellington Monument. The stone cross was erected in 1866. From here, there is a good view of Chatsworth House. 4 The Eagle Stone is slightly off-route but can be reached by a narrow sidepath. At one time, every young man from Baslow had to climb it before he could get married.