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Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor (without visiting Upper Padley) – Route.

There are two route options:
This walk 2¾ miles - Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor without visiting Upper Padley.
Alternatively a 3½ miles walk - Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor via Upper Padley.


Distance: 2¾ miles / 4½ kilometers

Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Grade: Easy

Map: OS Explorer OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak Area

Start Point: Surprise View Car Park,

Grid Reference: SK 252 800

Nearest Post Code: S32 1DA

Serial Distance Grid Reference Description
01 0.00 miles SK 252 800 From Surprise View pay and display car park off the A6187, cross the road, go through the kiss gate, follow the path across Lawrence Field to a kiss gate, then enters Bolehill Wood.
If access to the kiss gate unavailable, turn left along the A6187 for 160 yards to another gate on the right. (There is an option to follow the path ahead to explore the rocks on Owler Tor then to continue to the path along Burbage Brook - do not cross the footbridge - turn right on the footpath in Bolehill Wood along Burbage Brook).
From this kiss gate this route turns right and follows the path to the earlier kiss gate, then turns left on the path for about ¼ of a mile across Lawrence Field to a kiss gate, then enters Bolehill Wood, descending the path down the hill to where it joins a footpath.
02 0.75 miles SK 255 795 At the footpath, turn right through Bolehill Wood, follow the path as it trails Burbage Brook, continue to a cross ways in the path. The path on the left path leads to a footbridge, with the path on the right signed ‘Surprise View & Bolehill Quarry’
03 0.90 miles SSK 253 794 Turn right on the footpath, after 260 yards the main track bears right, take the footpath to the left. Pass through a break in the wall, and passed a wooden gate, continue on the path as it bears right with a short ascent to a kiss gate at the top of the hill.
04 1.25 miles SK 249 792 Pass through the gate into Bolehill Plantation, the path bears left, after 90 yards to a narrow track on the right, ascend the hill. Pass through the kiss gate, the path heads north through the bracken which later broadens out amongst the trees. Pass the cliff faces of the old quarry, and eventually passing scattered millstones piled at the side of the path. Follow the path to the where it meets the A6187 at the end of Bolehill Wood Plantation.
05 1.80 miles SK 274 801 Cross the A6187 to enter Whim Plantation, continue north along what was the old Grey Millstone Quarry access road, through the plantation for ½ a mile or so, and the northern edge of the plantation, the path bears right and ascends to the top of the cliff to the top of Millstone Edge.
06 2.20 miles SK 247 807 From the top of Millstone Edge the path bears right, ignore the next track on the right, and continue for a further for 90 yards the path turns sharp left. Continue ahead (ignore path on left) for a short ascent to the top of Over Owler Tor and Mother Cap.
07 2.40 miles SK 250 806 From the top of Over Owler Tor and Mother Cap the path bears right to head south, follow the path amongst the rocks and Silver Birch trees back to the start at the car park.