Are you looking for a beautiful walk in the Peak District with an abundance of wildlife and great views?
Curbar Edge walk via Froggatt Edge is a great hike for and any level hiker in the White Peaks area of the Peak District. It’s easily accessible as there is parking and a road that runs alongside the edge, although it’s a small road so it’s doesn’t spoil the views.
I did an 8-mile circular walk along Curbar Edge, onto Froggatt Edge then returning back round via White Edge and finally an extra hiking loop back via Baslow Edge.
Yes, I know that’s a lot of edges, haha but that’s why it makes it such a great route!
I’ve split my walk up into two options, so depending on how far you want to walk you can pick the route that suits you.
Alternatively, if you would prefer something shorter I would recommend walking back via Curbar Edge, retracing your steps.
This way you can pick exactly the time and distance for you walk by walking the same in both directions!
Curbar Edge, Peak District
Here is all the information about the walk, including where to park near Curbar Edge, what maps to use, the routes to take plus a few highlights of the walk.
Feel free to ask me any questions about the walk n the comments below as well.
Curbar Edge + Froggatt Edge Peak District Walks
Where to Park for Curbar Edge Walk?
There is a small car park called Curbar Gap Car Park. It is a National Trust car park so free for members.
However, if you’re not a member then there’s a small charge.
Curbar Gap Car Park Address: Clodhall Lane, Hope Valley, S32 2YR (Try S32 3YR if you Sat Nav doesn’t like that one!)
- Up to 1 hour – £1.50
- Up to 4 hours – £2.60
- Over 4 hours – £4.00
Please note the machine accepts coins but no change is given. Or you can now pay by card.
Facilities: There are NO toilets at the start of the walk.
This car park only has enough spaces for 25-30 cars.
There are a few more spaces further down the road but the other option is to park along the road. It’s a narrow road so be sure to park as near to the side as you can and it’s best to put your wing mirrors in, just in case!
What Map Do You Need for the Walk?
Both walks are on the same map, no surprise there haha!
You can order direct from Ordnance Survey to buy your map for the walk (and lots more!) This is the paper map you need OL24 White Peaks – Peak District
Alternatively, why not get the OS Online App, you can buy a monthly package from £2.99 or for the year from £23.99 (I have the annual auto-renewal one because I use so much) but it’s good value and encourages you to do more walking!
You can check out the options for the OS App here.
Ask me any questions about the OS App or read my post here where I talk about using a smartphone for navigating.
Curbar Edge + Froggatt Edge Walk 1
Walk Start: Curbar Gap Car Park (Grid reference SK 26284 74754)
Walk End: Curbar Gap Car Park
Walk Distance: 5.75 miles/ 9.25 km
Hiking Time: 2.5-3 hours
Total Ascent: 653 ft/ 199 m
Ordnance Survey Map: OL24 White Peaks – Peak District
Walk 1 Map
Curbar Edge to Froggatt Edge
Walk Stage 1
Highlights: The amazing views from the Edge, Red deer and the Stone Circle
Start by walking out the far end of the car park, where you’ll see a sign for Curbar Edge.
This takes you straight up to the Edge literally straight away. That’s the beauty of the walk, within a few minutes you already have beautiful views. There’s a footpath but if you prefer you can walk closer to the rocky edge for some even more epic views!
From Curbar Edge, you descend a rocky path which then continues onto Froggatt Edge.
In autumn, the colours look stunning, reds and oranges blended in with the rocks. Look out for movement amongst the trees as you might see deer camouflaged amongst the trees and bushes.
I was lucky enough to see two females who I only spotted because they were moving
The area is popular with rock climbing so you might see people climbing down the sheer rocks along the route.
About 2 km into the walk, on the right-hand side you’ll see a Stone Circle, it’s still intact with the stones clearly standing in an opening surrounded by trees. A short distance after this there’s a small stream that runs downhill.
You can explore further down here if you want and after heavy rain, you might be lucky enough to see a little waterfall.
Froggatt Edge to White Edge
Walk Stage 2
Highlights: More gorgeous views from the edge, deer rutting in October
The path winds downwards until you reach a road, from here you hike past the Grouse in and up.
Finally, reaching the path which takes you along White Edge, which runs parallel to Froggatt and Curbar Edge. In October, listen out for the sounds of the deer rutting, they are unbelievably loud and you can hear them along the entire edge.
Look out for them amongst the trees although they are hard to spot unless they are moving.
Top tip
- Take some binoculars for a better chance of spotting the deer in the trees.
Walking along White Edge you can enjoy beautiful views of the Big Moor to your left and to your right there is the footpath and views from the start of your walk.
There are a few great spots to stop for lunch along this section, large rocks that make great seats!
White Edge to Curbar Edge
Walk Stage 3
Highlights: Views of the first section of the walk, Red Deer and trig point bagging
After about 2 km you can detour slightly to reach the trig point, at 365 m, if you like trig point bagging haha, or just continue along the path. The views are better if you keep to the edge of the path.
Just under 1 km from the trig point, you’ll reach a sign which points you left to Curbar Edge or straight on to Birchen Edge. Then take the path for less than 1 km which will take you directly back to Curbar Gap Car Park.
If you would like to extend your Peak District walk, then continue your walk for an additional 2 miles then continue following the instructions below.
Curbar Edge + Froggatt Edge Walk 2 (Extended Option)
Walk Start: Curbar Gap Car Park
Walk End: Curbar Gap Car Park
Walk Distance: 8 miles/ 13 km
Hiking Time: 3.5-4 hours
Total Ascent: 866 ft/ 263 m
Ordnance Survey Map: OL24 White Peaks – Peak District
Walk 2 Map
White Edge to Baslow Edge
Walk Stage 4
Highlights: Highland Cattle grazing and Wellington’s Monument
If you are happy to continue then keep straight following the path. For some reason, on the OS maps the footpath doesn’t show but if you’re an experienced hiker you’ll get to realise that not every path is on the map!
Follow the path for about 1 km where you reach the road.
Cross the road and continue back onto the footpath through the gate (take note of the beware of the bull sign). If you’re scared of cows, like me, then you might be a little concerned.
However, this was my favourite section of the walk because, in this field, there was a whole herd of beautiful Highland Cattle. I’ve seen one or two before when I’ve been hiking, up in Scotland in the Cairngorms but never a whole herd.
The wonderful thing about these Highland Cattle is that they were so chilled out, sat relaxing, eating grass they looked like they didn’t have a worry in the entire world!
Once you’ve taken a million photos, it’s time to continue walking up the path, with the woodlands on your left-hand side. There were lots of Highland Cattle hiding in the woods too so look out for them and their funny tree scratching habits!
When you reach a large rock with a stone cross, you’ll have reached Wellington’s Monument, a stunning memorial.
Baslow Edge to Curbar Edge
Walk Stage 5
Highlights: Eagle Stone, Baslow Edge and views of Curbar Edge
Take the footpath on your right, heading north back to your start point, about 50 metres ahead will be the iconic Eagle Stone. I admit I’m not 100% sure why it’s called Eagle Stone, as, in my opinion, it looks nothing like an eagle haha.
A fellow Instagrammer told me that there’s a rumour that ‘back in the day’ (ie a long time ago) that men were challenged to climb to the top of the rock to be worthy of marrying the local maiden.
I climbed up to the first bump in the rock but after that, I decided jumping back down was the safer option!
Again similar to the path at the beginning of the walk along the Curbar Edge section, you can walk on the footpath or there’s another path that follows Baslow Edge along a more rocky route.
From here you simply follow the path down to the road, turn right and walk for a short section on the road back to the car park.
More Great Walks in the Peak District
White Peaks Walks
- Chee Dale Stepping Stones
- Dovedale walk including the Stepping Stones
- Derwent Edge hike in the Peak District
Dark Peak Walks
- Hikes from Castleton including Mam Tor
- Winnats Pass Walk from Castleton
- 10 awesome walks from Edale in the Dark Peaks
Buy your maps here
Or go with the App! OS Online App
Do you have any questions about the Curbar Edge/ Froggatt Edge walk?
Would you like any more tips for walks in the Peak District? Drop me a message in the comments below.
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Thanks for sharing your walks. We did Walk 1 of this yesterday and you are right – the views are stunning! Great info but just two comments – the postcode wouldn’t work for some reason but 3YR did (not 2YR). May be our Sat Nav! Also the parking meter in the car park now takes card payment. Thanks again. Hope to do the longer walks next! ?
Ah that’s wonderful Sarah, so glad you enjoyed the views. Thanks for the info, I’ve added the postcode in as a second option, my sat nav is a bit weird too and useful to know the meter takes card payments. Enjoy your hiking 🙂
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