Mable walks from Hathersage to Abney – Peak District Walks

Time taken 2 1/2 Hours

We have done quite a few walks in our time that take in both Hathersage and Abney as both represent places close to home where we have friends to visit and have been familiar with for a number of years. This walk is not an adventure for us but it does offer some lovely walking and some great scenery. It is gentle yet still makes you feel satisfied when you have completed it.

I have started this walk and detailed it from the Scotsman’s pack pub which I would not normally do as Hathersage is too close to home for me to need a pub start, but as it is a good pub it is worth any Peak District visitor using it as the start and stopping off point, so you can make use of its facilities and welcoming atmosphere for lunch or dinner, or even just a light snack before your journey home.

Anyway, here we go, as with my eyes shut I can detail this walk for all, knowing all nooks and Peak District crannies along the way.  From the pub walk through the village, dog on lead, until you get to the junction with the George Hotel on the right hand side. Continue on until you have passed Brookfield Manor and then after passing under the railway bridge turn left into the fields and pass over onto the right of the fields heading for the building in the right hand corner, with the stream. Cross the stream and turn right around the corner beyond Nether Hall onto a track. Keep to the right of the first field and continue straight until you get to the main bridge into Hathersage from Grindleford, which should be crossed and carry on until you meet with the Plough Inn, by the main roadside.

At the Plough, take the road/lane that leads uphill opposite and climb gradually until when it bends right you take the left hand drive taking you over a cattle grid and then bearing left on the path. You will find that you now descend quite steeply across a meadow until you reach another bridge. Passing through a gate, you will then need to walk straight up a tarmac drive. At the top take a right until you reach a farm and, keeping the farmhouse on the right, pass through some gates and continue along the track towards a batch of conifers ahead.

The track leads through fields to some planted woodland which once passed opens to a stile near the crossing of two streams. Follow the track left uphill and climb out of the valley until everything levels only then to descend into another small valley. Stay with the path as it descends to Stoke Ford with a signpost and stream at the base. Cross the Pooh bridges at the valley bottom and then head off left and upwards through fields and trees to Abney, where you will emerge in the centre of the small hamlet, onto the road that runs through it.

Turn right on the road and out of the village passed Lane end Farm where you will then find a stile to your left as the road bends slightly off to the right. Bear right in the fields ahead as you pass through more stiles and follow the readymade track through heather until you reach Offerton Edge that offers views across Hathersage, in the valley below. Make sure you do stand on this top to take in the scene as it will not be bettered in the Peak District or, I would say in the U.K., as it extends left and right, detailing the Win Hill, Kinder Scout and Ladybower – it is magnificent.

When you have taken your fill of Peak District wonders the path bears right and down passed Offerton Hall onto a tarmac road. At this stage turn left onto the road over a cobbled area to find a right turn through a gate, shortly afterwards. Walk between the fences and through the gate to the valley bottom until you reach the river and its stepping stones – in wet weather these can be flooded and if you are not in willies, just follow the river further down back to the main Hathersage Bridge and cross there. If the stones are exposed, cross and eventually bear right to a gate leading onto the main road.

Cross to the stile opposite then half right over the railway line. Follow the lanes back into Hathersage where at the post office, behind the bank you will find Besom Lane. Turn left at the top of the lane and continue down the track passed the cricket fields, turn right, uphill alongside a little stream and head up towards the churchyard. The churchyard is well worth the visit as it is the resting place of the fabled “Little John “of Robin Hood fame.

Leaving the churchyard via the lych-gate and turning right you will soon find yourself back at the Scotsman’s Pack and ready, no doubt, for some refreshment – Enjoy!