An easy walk mostly on the level, it is beautiful down by the river and very popular in the Summer. There are various walks around this area, with more height and distance, which will be added soon! We like this for an easy walk all year round in a lovely area!
Distance – 6.5km and not a difficult walk.
Food – National Trust cafe at Longshaw, ice cream van on the B6521 and the station cafe at Grindleford Station Cafe (don’t forget your cash and great stopping place half way round!)
Toilets – National Trust Longshaw estate behind cafe, at Grindleford Station Cafe.
Parking – Longshaw Estate car park (free for National Trust members) Postcode S11 7TZ. The carpark does get full on nice days, there is road side parking available but it’s always good to arrive early if you can!
Note- make sure you have maps (this route is not a replacement for a map/gps), suitable clothing, food, water and first aid kit. Always be prepared for changes in the weather and circumstances.
The Route
From Longshaw carpark follow down the hill towards the National Trust cafe. As you walk towards the cafe you can explore in the trees on the left hand side where there are fairy doors hiding in tree stumps!
Grab any supplies you need from the cafe and a quick toilet stop before walking down across the front of the cafe with the building and lawn up to the side.
Head through the gate and turn right, the children love to climb through the tangles of rhododendrons as the the path follows down and round to the pond, normally with plenty of ducks to see!
Keep following the main path round the pond and past a little information barn to the main road.
Cross the main road, there is usually an ice cream van parked along here (even in Winter!) and go through the gate and down the steps. The stream is straight in front of you. Head straight down, slightly to the left and along the stream with it on your right until you come to a foot bridge. Cross over the bridge, or enjoy a paddle! It can get very busy on hot sunny days down by the stream!
Once over the stream bear left with the stream in your left, enjoy the waterfalls and gorgeous moss covered rocks and trees along the path.
Follow the well marked track with the stream down below you in the left. There are places where you can walk down to get a closer view of the stream and little falls (always be careful and aware of hazards and your surroundings). It is gorgeous through here with dappled sunlight and the green rocks.
You will eventually head down to a gate and a track that goes down hill with houses either side. Carry on downhill to a t junction and bear left. This road then takes your round to the station and cafe (can get busy and don’t forget your cash!) where you can watch the trains passing through!
To continue the route go back the way you came back over the railway line and look for a small squeezer stile in the wall on your right.
Go through the stile and the path which gradually heads up hill onto a wider track that takes you all the way up to the B6521.
Cross the road and take the path slightly up road that is signposted. There is an old quarry that is used for climbing, head up and round the outside of the quarry. Watch for a path and gate to the left.
Go through this gate and you are back in the grounds of Longshaw Estate.
Follow the grassy paths forwards across the Longshaw estate, you will meet a track where you turn left and then a little further take another grassy path off to the right that takes you back to the pond. There are lots of paths and tracks through the estate that you can take so can’t really go wrong!
Once at the pond follow the track to the right back the way you came through the rhododendrons and on to the cafe and car park.
There are den building areas and trees to climb on near the pond if you want to spend some time playing and enjoying the surroundings! A lovely easy walk all year round!
Just A Normal Mum 