Peak Walks 7. Alport - Birchover - Stanton Moor circuit.
- Map: OS 25000 OL24
- Time: Allow 4.5 hours
- Distance: 16km/10 miles
- Inset: Robin Hood's Stride
Park near Alport village on the road to Youlgrave at SK219646. Turn right down the hill then right by a red telephone box through a white gate. For the next 3km follow the River Bradford into a wooded valley, passing Youlgrave above on the right and several dams and weirs. Eventually the track swings right and heads up to Middleton, follow this briefly over the stream past old enclosures then branch left beside a marshy area passing an old mine sought on the right. Cross the footbridge and continue up the valley past a large detached boulder to a step ladder on the left. Climb this, turn right and follow the track down to another footbridge with an inscription. Cross the footbridge, walk left then swing right and across several fields separated by stiles. At a lane turn left and after about 20m take a footpath on the left by a signpost. The path is initially easy to follow but where it becomes undefined follow the power lines for about 800m to where the path enters a narrow lane leading to a small road. Don't be tempted to walk up to the top of the field!
Turn left, up the hill for 50m and at a sharp LH bend take the path right through Rock Farm. The track climbs gently then crosses several fields below some rocky tors, heading for an old quarry visible in the distance. The track skirts below an old spoil heap and eventually joins another small road - Cliff Lane. Follow the lane left, over the hill, past a small quarry and at the lower end of a wood take an access path to the right. Follow this, skirting Robin Hood's Stride rocks on the left to a stile leading to a rocky track. Note Cratcliff Rocks on the left, climber's paradise and site of an ancient Hermit's Cave. Descend the track and the better one beyond to the B5056 road. Turn left and in about 150m cross a stile on the right and climb the field up and left to a lane. Follow this lane into Birchover by the Druid's Inn.
The Druid's Inn and The Red Lion further up the village both serve excellent refreshments, The Red Lion is perhaps more walker friendly. Opposite the Druid's is a narrow lane leading up into the woods. Follow this past ancient quarry workings to emerge on a road opposite a working quarry. Those who chose to walk through the village should turn left at the top of the hill to reach this spot. This is the road to Stanton in Peak and would constitute a short cut. Turn left along this road and after about 200m or so look for tracks leading right onto Stanton Moor.
The moor is a popular recreation area and is crisscrossed with paths. Once on the moor pass the easily climbed Cork Stone and contine for another 400m to a path junction, turn left and pass the Nine Ladies stone circle. Continue through the woods and down a meadow to Lees Road. Turn left to Stanton in Peak, turn right and walk through the village, continue downhill to the B5056, cross this to a stile and walk diagonally right across the field to reach another stile leading onto a lane. (This is just cutting a corner off). Follow the lane left to a T junction, turn right and at a sharp bend above Alport take the small track to the left leading down through the woods, back to the main road at the red phone box.
Particular interest: Bradford Dale, Rock Farm, Robin Hood's Stride, Hermit's Cave, Stanton Moor artifacts.