Longshaw Ranger Run
The Longshaw estate in the heart of the Peak District is a runner's paradise. This 6km (3.8 miles) run winds through ancient woods, open moors, and farmland, showcasing important sites on the estate and the work that rangers are doing to preserve the local countryside. Look out for curlews, skylarks and pied flycatchers as well as flower-rich meadows and a Bronze Age funerary cairn. This route was created with help from trail runners Jen and Sim Benson, as part of the Ranger Run series.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Longshaw Café, Longshaw, S11 7TZ. Grid ref: SK264798
Step 1
Follow the track to the left of Longshaw Café and behind the buildings, heading south through woodland and out onto the moorland. Pass Little John's Well and continue until you reach a track junction. Keep right at the fork and follow the path along the edge of the woodland until you reach the narrow track on the main road (A625).
Step 2
Carefully cross the road and follow the track almost immediately opposite. Follow this track as it ascends gradually above the road below White Edge Moor, through woodland and then weaves around the old quarries. Cross a footpath and head through the field, descending back to the main road (A625).
Step 3
Carefully cross the road and walk about 140m (153 yards) down the road using the narrow roadside track until you reach a gate on your right. Head through the gate, turn left, and then go through another gate to follow the path up through the young woodland with the wall on your left. As that wall disappears, head straight through the birch woods and take either path, (they reconnect later) You'll pass a cairn of rocks on your left.
Step 4
From Tumbling Hill, wind down to the right to head north, weaving down the path until you reach a wall with a gate. Go through the gate and into the field and follow the path through the middle of the field to the far end.
Step 5
With Oak's Wood in front of you, turn right at a path junction and follow the path around the edge of the woodland as it curves round to the left.
Step 6
Go through the little gate into the woods and follow the woodland path, with a steep hill beneath you and Yarncliffe meadows on the right. Continue up over the wall until you come to a small kissing gate.
Step 7
Go through the kissing gate, turn immediately right and head through another small gate. Follow the path between the woodland (on the left) and the wall (on the right) until you reach a bridleway.
Step 8
Turn left and follow the bridleway past the crossroad of paths and through the gateposts all the way back to Longshaw Lodge. Head straight through the yew trees and back to the start at Longshaw Café.
End point
Longshaw Café, Longshaw, S11 7TZ. Grid ref: SK264798
Trail map
More near here
White Edge Loop cycling trail
Discover views across the Hope Valley on the White Edge Loop cycling trail at Longshaw, an easy circular route that explores the estate via bridleways through woodland and moors.
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Frogatt, Curbar and White Edge red deer circular walk
A circular walk with views across the expanse of Derbyshire's Big Moor, a chance to spot red deer and the option to take a break for a pint and some pub grub halfway round.
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