Earl Sterndale and High Wheeldon from Longnor

This route starts from the attractive North Staffordshire village of Longnor. It then crosses the Dove Valley into Derbyshire, passes through Earl Sterndale to climb High Wheeldon before re-crossing the Dove back into Staffordshire. The scenery en-route is varied with excellent views of this part of the Peak District throughout.

Technical sheet

293106
A Longnor walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 27/06/18
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.07 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 315 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 317 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 402 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 257 m

Description

(S)The start is the centre of Longnor village where a cobbled car park (Grid ref. SK088649) usually has room for a car or two. Otherwise alternative parking is available elsewhere in the village. From the Market Place walk north along Chapel Street and continue across Church Street into a tarmac lane. Turn right onto the signed footpath, which leads you behind a modern bungalow development and down a bank to join the access track (Grid ref. SK087655) to Underhill Farm. Turn left along this and at a crossroads bear right and continue towards Yewtree Grange. Pass this building to its left and follow the track up to the road.

(1)Turn right along the road and after 300 metres take the signed footpath on the left that follows a track to some houses. The way ahead leaves this track and becomes a path dropping down the hillside to a footbridge over the River Dove (Grid ref. SK078665). Cross this bridge into Derbyshire and continue on the path to the tarmac lane. To your left is Chrome Hill, while ahead rises Parkhouse Hill. Both of these hills are formed from old coral reefs and an ascent of either or both could be added to this walk is energy permits!

(2)Assuming you are not climbing either of the hills, turn right along the lane and after a few metres bear half left across the grass crossing the flank of Parkhouse Hill to a gate. The path continues through this field and another to reach the road (Grid ref. SK084668) between Glutton Bridge and Glutton Grange. Cross the road and take the stile opposite and begin the climb up the hill to Earl Sterndale. Crossing a rather awkward wall stile continue through a gate to the right of a water trough and continue downhill to the village arriving at the front of the "Quiet Woman" pub. Facing the pub, take the path to its right through the back yard with its turkeys and other assorted 'wildlife'. This continues uphill across fields before descending into the Dove Valley to reach a track (Grid ref. SK089663).

(3)Turn left along this passing through Underhill Farm. Turn left on Green Lane and walk up to the road. Continue ahead along the road passing the old quarry on your left that is very popular with climbers. Just past the quarry take the signed footpath on the right. This leads in a large loop to the trig point on the summit of High Wheeldon. The view from here is superb with the Upper Dove Valley particularly noteworthy. Chrome and Parkhouse Hills are very evident in the scene as is Axe Edge Moor at the head of the valley.

(4)Having enjoyed the panorama return the way you came tracing you steps to Green Lane. Rather than turn right to Underhill Farm continue straight ahead along the lane over Beggar's Bridge and back into Staffordshire. The path leads into a track and climbs to "Top o' tha' Edge" where you join a road. Turn right into the village and return to the start of the walk.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 290 m - Start: Longnor village
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 309 m - Turn right along road
  3. 2 : km 2.37 - alt. 278 m - Turn right along lane
  4. 3 : km 4.55 - alt. 279 m - Turn left along track
  5. 4 : km 6.43 - alt. 402 m - High Wheeldon summit
  6. S/E : km 9.07 - alt. 288 m - Finish: Longnor village

Useful Information

Although not included in this walk you pass close to Chrome and Parkhouse Hills, which could also be climbed if energy permits.

At the end of a walk, Longnor offers a number of opportunities for refreshment including pubs with the converted Market Hall housing a cafe and craft shop recommended.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
Sarita J
Sarita J

Thank you for letting us know about the fallen signpost! Do you have any suggestions on how we could change the wording on this walk so it is still clear for future walkers? Many thanks, Sarita

JBPalmer
JBPalmer

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 05/10/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice walk one part past the farm was not clear, because the actual sign post for the footpath had fallen down looked liked the post was rotten.
Apart from that a nice walk views on top of Earl Sterndale were good.

Sarita J
Sarita J

Thank you for your feedback. We have changed the wording to "crossroads" as suggested

John Scholey
John Scholey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 05/12/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

There is a squeeze stile where the path down from Longnor meets the track to Yewtree Grange. This style is impossible to get through for anyone short in stature but not particularly thin. The only way my wife could get through was to lay two rucksacks in the style and stand on them. There are no rocks nearby that we could have used.

After this it says at a'junction of tracks'. The right turning looks for all the world as though it goes into a house and so we took the next one which also beared slightly right. This brings you onto the road and you then have to walk down the road to get back on course. It would be better to say 'crossroads' than 'junction' and then it would be obvious that you have to take the turn sharp right.

The track down from Earl Sterndale to the Underhill Farm track is very stony and rocky and is difficult for someone who is not too good on their feet.

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