Padley Gorge + Higger Tor + Bolehill Quarry | 8-Mile Circular

Know Before You Go: Padley Gorge + Higger Tor At A Glance

Based in the White Peak area of the Peak District this Padley Gorge + Higger Tor walk is perfect for slowing down and appreciating your surroundings. The rocks at Upper Burbage are a great spot to stop for some lunch with beautiful views. If you are wanting a shorter walk in this area then you can check out the Padley Gorge + Bolehill Quarry 3.5 mile circular.

The walk is not technically difficult but there are a few sections that are either steep or (at the time of our visit in July 2026) were vastly overgrown with brambles and nettles. The walk also takes in the remains Bolehill Quarry — an area of historic interest (look out for the discarded and unfinished millstones in the area).

Hiking for a healthier mind: Padley Gorge + Higger Tor Wellbeing Rating

Padley Gorge + Higger Tor + Bolehill Quarry Route Description

Stage 1

We parked up along the Station Road and used the RingGo app to pay for our parking before heading down past the Grindleford Station Café. Continue walking straight ahead and you reach a signed footpath for Padley Gorge on your right. Ignore that and follow the road around past the cottages, as the road bends round to the right there is road off to the right (fig.1). Follow the road up and you will reach a gate with a National Trust sign for Padley Gorge.

Go through the gate and follow the well defined path through the woodland. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the woodland off to the left and right (especially if you have kids with you). Keep on the obvious path all the way through the woodland, through the gate and out onto open land. Follow the path along the stream (Burbage Brook) keeping it to your right. There are a couple of bridges crossing the stream but keep on the left side until the end of the path where there is a bridge crossing (fig.2) — cross the bridge and follow the path.

Stage 2

Follow the cobbled path and take a right at the directional sign post (fig.3), then follow the path round, this leads you through another gate. Shortly after the gate there is a narrow path leading off to the left (fig.4), take the left path and continue along to the gate before crossing over the road.

Go straight across the road and through another gate. From here you start a long but gradual climb up the path that will eventually lead up to Upper Burbage. As you reach Upper Burbage there is an information sign (and a seat on the other side of it). From here there is a clear path heading downwards to the left, ignore this and continue along the open, less defined rocky path (fig.5), there are several routes but all lead over to Burbage West where there are rocks. We sat and ate our lunch here looking out at the stunning views.

Stage 3

Reaching the stones, follow the path over to the right which leads you towards a drop off. Just before the drop off there is a path leading down to your right, take the path and follow it round to the left, taking you back under the rocks (fig.6). From here follow the path all the way along, eventually leading you to a gate. Through the gate and the path hugs wire-and-post fencing (fig.7). Continue all the way along until you reach another gate. Go through the gate and follow the path around to the left. The path leads you out to the road where you need to cross over. Be careful here as you are crossing on a blind bend at Surprise View so you need to be extremely careful.

Stage 4

After crossing the road navigate your way down the slight hill and head to your left. Here you will see the remains of Bolehill Quarry (quite often in good weather you will see some rock climbers here). Follow the grassy path along through the trees and drop down a couple of hills and through the gates. There is a steep hill to come down and at the bottom take a left and head along the narrow path. At the time of our visit the next section was very overgrown with ferns and brambles so it is worth keeping that in mind. Follow the path all the way along, you will pass some houses and eventually come out onto the path that you started on. Take a right and back down to the first gate you came through and follow the road back around past the cottages and to the train station.

Got the OS Map App? Follow the route by clicking the link below.

Where to eat and drink after walking Padley Gorge + Higger Tor

Depending on the time you arrive back the Grindleford Station Café is a great place to grab something to eat and a drink. It is dog friendly and has seating both inside and outside — and they take card payments. Their menu offers an impressive selection of hot and cold food. A full breakfast will cost you £10, toasties start at £5.65 and jacket potatoes start at £7.30.

For those looking for something slightly bigger, there are burgers available from £5.90, a selection of set main meals including meat and potato pie served with chips, mushy peas and gravy (£11.10). The mains section also has a homemade chilli con carne and a number of Yorkshire pudding options. The specials are certainly worth a look at. Choose from homemade stew, Yorkshire pudding and chips (£12.25), homemade soup (£7) or homemade chicken curry, naan bread and chips (£12.25).

Pics from the peaks: more from Padley Gorge + Higger Tor