Higger Tor - Peak District Walk
Tuesday 29th October 2019
Determined to get back out walking before we head north for a week in the Lakes we managed to find a dry day when John didn't have any meetings booked. Even though it was half-term we made the most of the opportunity and picked a route we knew we could adjust if necessary.
Start: Suprsie View car park (SK 2522 8012)
Route: Surprise View car park - Owler Tor - Burbage Bridge - Burbage Rocks - Upper Burbage Bridge - Fiddler's Elbow - Higger Tor - Over Owler Tor - Surprise View car park
Distance: 5.5 miles Ascent: 284 metres Time Taken: 3 hrs 45 mins
Terrain: Clear tracks
Weather: Warm and dry
Pub Visited: Millstone Inn, Hathersage Ale Drunk: Black Sheep Best Bitter
After crossing the road we cut across the moor following the track with views towards Longshaw Lodge.
We emerge on the path next to Burbage Brook and follow it towards Burbage Bridge.
After all of the recent rain the brook is fairly full and the path alongside it quite muddy in places.
Having made a late start we are keen to find a good spot for lunch, but despite appearances half-term means it is busy and the best places are already taken.
Having crossed the road we are rewarded with a view of Carl Wark in her Autumn colours.
We hold back to let the families out making the most of the weather get well ahead of us whilst also enjoying the view of Burbage Rocks.
Carl Wark and Higger Tor make it well worth holding back and just enjoying the view.
We soon head uphill onto the top of Burbage Rocks, as we do so the clouds roll in and it turns a little cooler.
Heading along Burbage Rocks we continue looking for a suitable dry spot for lunch, we are definitely getting a bit peckish now.
The weather changes rapidly, one minute we are in cloud the next it is back to blue skies.
More clouds threaten to bring about another drop in temperature as we continue along the edge.
As we continue uphill Over Owler Tor comes into view.
Mother's Cap can also be spotted.
Having found a suitable dry and reasonably sheltered spot for lunch we enjoy the view across to Cowper Stone.
Looking in the other direction along Burbage Rocks.
From our lunchspot we could also look across Higger Tor towards Mam Tor and the Great Ridge.
The clouds continued to come and go as we headed along the edge towards Upper Burbage Bridge.
Looking along Burbage Brook as we briefly walk along the road over Upper Burbage Bridge.
We take the path over Fiddler's Elbow heading for Higger Tor.
Looking back towards Fiddler's Elbow from the climb onto Higger Tor.
We divert off the path and head towards Callow Bank to enjoy the view across it to the Great Ridge and Win Hill.
Although we had no plans to head for Carl Wark we did check out the KitKat Stones and the view of Carl Wark from them.
Instead of heading for Carl Wark we walked along the top of Higger Tor to the end close to the road. Our plan was to pick up the path to the right of the enclosure.
Looking along Higger Tor as we approach the end we rarely visit.
We pick up the path at the far end of Higger Tor and drop down the back as Callow Bank catches the sunlight.
A few minutes before this shot was taken we were contemplating getting the waterproofs out, but the shower passed over very quickly.
Looking across to Stanage Edge as we head for Over Owler Tor.
Higger Tor.
Sunlight all around us as the Hope Valley is light up.
Well accept for the direction we are heading, it is looking rather grey over Over Owler Tor.
We make fast progress along the path and are soon enjoying the view across to Burbage Rocks.
Higger Tor from Over Owler Tor.
Looking across to Stanage Edge from Over Owler Tor. The best of the sunshine has gone now and any hope of a sunset shot is disappearing fast as the bank of cloud builds up.
A final look along the edge before we head back to the car via Mother's Cap.
Mother's Cap is the final highlight of today's walk, or so we thought.
Looking across Grey Millstone Quarries and Lawrence Field.
As we make our way through the wood to the car park we are greeted by these pumpkins, presumably someone has been practising for Halloween.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023