Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor via Upper Padley - Route.
There are two route options:
This walk 3½ miles - Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor via Upper Padley.
Alternatively a 2¾ miles walk - Padley Gorge & Bole Hill to Over Owler Tor without visiting Upper Padley.
Distance: 3½ miles / 5½ kilometers
Time: 4 hours 00 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’. Continue for a further 210 yards to a path on the left. |
| 03 | 1.00 miles | SK 252 793 | At cross tracks, ignore the sign for 'Surprise View', continue for 250 yards turn left along a track that doubles back, to descend some steps, cross the footbridge and turn right, ascend the stepped path up the slope. At a fork in the path bear left continue up the hill for 90 yards or so to a junction. |
| 04 | 1.09 mile | SK 252 791 | Turn right and follow the path in to the end of the wood. Turn right on Windses Estate Road, cross over the bridge follow the road to a track on the right. Follow the track for 120 yards passed the Windses Estate House. Enter Bolehill Wood through the gate, for a further 140 yards to a fork. |
| 05 | 1.50 miles | SK 250 791 | At the fork bear left for about 100 yards the path bears right for 70 yards and enters Bolehill Plantation at the top of the hill, pass through a kiss gate. Follow path ahead for 40 yards to a to a narrow track on the left, (The path (SK 249 792) is where the shorter route joins the trail) 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. |
| 06 | 2.30 miles | SK 247 801 | 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. |
| 07 | 2.75 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 fork, bear sharp right for a short ascent to the top of Over Owler Tor and Mother Cap. |
| 08 | 2.90 miles | SK 250 805 | 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. |