Peak Walks 9. Hathersage, Shatton and Abney Moor circuit.

• Map: The Peak District Dark Peak Area 1:25000, Outdoor Leisure 1
• Time: 4 hours walking time
• Length: 16km/10 miles
• Ascent: 250m
• Inset: River Derwent near Hathersage

Start at Hathersage, free parking can usually be found at the station SK233811 and this makes a good starting point, there is also a PAD carpark nearby.

Walk out of the station approach and turn left under the bridge and down the B6001 for about 500m, cross the bridge over the river Derwent and take the path on the right along its bank (true right bank). Follow the river upstream for some 3km until the path meets a minor road at the rather posh village of Shatton. Turn left and at a junction turn right, cross a stream and follow this small road, getting smaller to a gate leading to Upper Shatton and Shatton Hall, dog-leg right and continue in the same direction along a track for another 300m to where it branches, take the left branch through Elmore Hill farm (footpath signs) then up a field to join Brough Lane, a byway open to all traffic. Follow this uphill for 2km, steeply at first but eventually levelling as it passes the end of a minor road and arrives at a gate. Pass through this and follow the broad track as it curves leftwards for a further 1 km to a signpost pointing right at the end of a series of small fields.

Follow the pleasant footpath keeping the fields on your right for 1 km through a new gate and fence system then down the moor for a further 200m to a cross-path, turn left and follow the small path across Smelting Hill and Offerton Moor for 1km to Offerton Edge where there are stunning views to the north. Follow the path steeply down to the right to Offerton Hall, turn right up the small road for 350m to a footpath on the left. This soon leads to Callow Farm, cross the yard and pass through a well marked small gate then down the field and into a small wood - Callow wood. Follow the leafy path through the wood and the meadow beyond to a small road. Turn right and continue uphill for some 200m to where a footpath leads off left at Mount Pleasant.

After 400m you will find yourself on the river bank not far from the bridge near the start of the circuit. 

Points of interest: Lots of great views, Dippers, gliders, ancient field systems. Bluebells in May, Heather in August.