How to Complete the Curbar Edge Walk and Froggatt Edge Walk
If you are searching for a beautiful walk with exceptional views over the Derwent Valley, then the Curbar Edge and the Froggatt Edge walk is for you. It is in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire in the United Kingdom.
It is one of our favourites because the hike is accessible, and you can make it as long or as short as you like, with an optional extra route along White Edge, Baslow Edge or both.
You can also easily make the walk an out and back route, which means there is something for everyone, no matter your ability.
It is because of the beautiful Curbar Edge and its views and only a few minutes away from the car park. It doesn’t get much better than that. The area is also very popular with rock climbers and boulderers, so you’ll likely see some on the route.
We have created a complete guide to the walk below, including parking information, weather, top tips and complete directions to help you plan a fabulous day out on Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge!
Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge Circular Walk Details
Walk Distance: 11km / 6.8 miles
Walk Difficulty: moderate
Time: 4-4.5 hours
Ordnance Survey: OL24 White Peaks
Crowd Levels: Medium
Route Type: circular walk
Elevation: 191m
How to get to Curbar Edge
We realised if you follow the address for Jolly’sJolly’s Coffee and Cake, Clodhall Ln, Calver, Hope Valley S32 3YR, it takes you to the start of the walk and the Curbar Gap car park.
You can follow the Google Maps Directions here.
Curbar Edge Car Park / Froggatt Edge Car Park
The Curbar Edge walk Car Park is called Curbar Gap. It is a National Trust car park with no toilets, but there is a coffee van and picnic tables. As of April 2022, the machine had disappeared, so the car park was currently free. However, it was previously only free for National Trust members, and the costs were as follows:
Up to 1 hour: £1.50, up to 4 hours: £2.60 and over 4 hours: £4.00.
Please let us know in the comments if this changes again so we can ensure people know what to expect.
There are some laybys outside the car park if the car park is full, which is very likely on weekends and holidays. However, whatever you do, park sensibly and do not park on double yellow lines, as this could prevent emergency vehicles from reaching those in need and from you getting an uninvited ticket!
If you do not have a car, you can get the train to Grindleford train station and go up Froggatt Edge.
Curbar Edge Postcode: S32 3YR
Curbar Edge Weather
Before we set off, we usually check the weather to know what to expect before we go to be as prepared as possible. But, of course, when you’re exposed, the weather can change suddenly, so be prepared!
About Curbar Edge
Curbar Edge is located in Dark Peak, the area of the Peak District characterized by peat moorland and gritty rock. The Edge is an extensive series of west-facing gritstone escarpments collectively called the Eastern Grit.
In the same part in the same area of Curbar Edge is Padley Gorge, on the A6187 close to Grindleford village. This region is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The elevation for Curbar Edge is 849.7 Ft (259 meters).
The word “Curbar” and the various names from which they are from all have an identical meaning: Corda’s fortified spot.
About Froggatt Edge
Froggatt Edge is a gritstone escarpment close to the villages of Froggatt, Calver, Curbar, Baslow and Grindleford.
Froggatt Edge applies only to the northernmost portion of the escarpment. The middle and southernmost portions are referred to as Curbar Edge and Baslow Edge, respectively.
The escarpment is the eastern part of the Derwent Valley. On the top of the escarpment lies a heather moor that is managed, which is purple with a bloom in the summer months.
Below the escarpment, along the valley slopes that run toward the Derwent, is a forest made up of Birch trees.
Froggatt was utilized as a millstone source, and a few half-finished millstones can be located at the bottom.
Useful Tips
- There is a picnic area with fabulous views close to the car park (follow the directions to Curbar Edge)
- Get to the car park early or late in the day, as there are a max of 30 spaces (depending on how others park)
- There are no facilities at the car park, so you will need to use the toilet before you begin your walk. There are some in Calver below at the Eating House Cafe. We recommend this place for some food or a coffee!
- There is also a popular coffee van, Jollies, in the car park. They usually put out some chairs for you to sit on and sell home-baked cakes too.
- Remember to wear suitable shoes. We wear hiking boots because it can be muddy in the area, especially in Froggatt Wood, which seems to be muddy all year round – as it does not get much sunlight.
- Wear layers and take waterproof with you. You will be highly exposed when you walk along the edges.
- If you want the best views, stick to the path on the edges, but make sure that you stay away from the edge, especially with young children.
- Take all litter home to ensure this area stays beautiful for everyone.
Curbar Edge Walk and Froggatt Edge Walk Directions
Remember only to use these directions as a guide and bring a map or download one before you set off on your hike!
Start and end grid reference: SK 26284 74754
Stage 1: from Curbar Gap Car Park to Curbar Edge
The start point is from the car park. You will need to up the stairs (following the sign for Curbar Edge picnic site) on the left, where Jollies, the cafe van, is usually parked.
Turn left to go past the picnic spot and walk through the wooden gate following the Curbar Edge sign. After the gate, take the less obvious path on the left, as this one will take you to Curbar Edge. The way straight ahead is the faster route, but it’s worth seeing the views straight away.
Continue straight along the edge and rejoin the trail whenever you fancy it. It’s straightforward. If you have a clear day, this walk is lovely, as there are panoramic views.
Stage 2 – Curbar Edge to Froggatt Edge
After roughly 2.5km of walking straight, you will reach Froggatt Edge. It begins after you go through the large rocks on the path. Froggatt Wood will be below you.
2.9km into the walk, there will be the Froggatt edge stone circle on your right. After, there will be a wooden gate. Please go through it and continue straight through the trees. There’s a lovely lookout on your left!
Stage 3 – Froggatt Edge to Square Wood
Continue straight until you get to the fork and continue on the left-hand path, where it curves at the stone wall to reach the road. Go through the wooden gate and continue straight to walk alongside the road.
On the right-hand side, there is a small gate. Please go through it, walk down the stone steps and cross the small stream. Then, turn left to go down. Do not go through the stone wall.
Keep going down until you reach some stones to cross over the stream on your left. (See photo) these rocks can be pretty slippery due to the moss, so be careful.
When you reach the large tree and the stone wall, turn left and then go through the small gap in the wall. Turn left and then go through the wooden gate. Go straight across the field, through a large kissing gate. Continue straight on the apparent path that goes through Square Wood.
Stage 4: Square Wood to New Bridge
This path can be very muddy, and you should follow it as it begins to go downhill and curves left. Take a left and cross the stream over the stepping stones when it flattens.
Cross another small stream and then take a right downhill at the small signpost, following the black and yellow arrow. It takes you to Spooner Lane here. Take a left and continue straight over the stream. You will stay on this path for a while now, going through the stone wall, through the open field.
Keep walking, following the track in the direction of the village of Froggatt. It becomes a well-made stony path with stone walls on either side that comes out at some idyllic cottages. Keep straight along the road and watch out for any cars.
Stage 5: New Bridge to Curbar Lane Road
Cross over the bridge on your right and turn left at the New Bridge and Calver sign. Walk through the trees and next to the River Derwent. There’sThere’s a lovely bench to have a picnic on here!
Keep following the path around, through the gates, and eventually, you’ll come to a wooden bridge. Go over it and turn left to see a beautiful bridge in front of you. Behind it, you will see a Curbar edge. Beautiful. Continue straight up the path to the road and cross straight over the road where you walk between some bungalows.
The river will now be on your left, and you should continue straight down the path through the trees and then through a field. Continue straight through the kissing gate, and walk through the caravan site towards the houses in front of you along the road.
The Eating House is on your right! We recommend stopping here for breakfast, lunch or a coffee and a cake. The staff are very friendly.
Stage 6: Curbar Lane Road to Curbar Gap Car Park
Turn left, go over the bridge, and turn left up Curbar Lane road. This road is quite steep, but if you follow it up carefully, you will then be able to cut up through the fields following the public footpath sign to make your way back up through the fields, keeping the stone wall on your right.
Go through the gate on your left and cross over the road, and you will be back at the car park. Curbar Edge walk and Froggatt Edge Walk complete. Well done!
Frequently asked Questions
When is the best time to complete the Curbar Edge walk?
Arguably, this walk is a year-round route, which will be most beautiful in the heather season, from late August to early September.
However, we will keep this route for another time if it is raining because you are extremely exposed to the edges, and it will not be as enjoyable.
How can I extend the Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge walk?
It is straightforward to walk along Baslow Edge – turn right instead of going uphill to the car park and walk under the edge before looping back along the edge to the car park.
You can read our complete guide to the Baslow Edge walk here for more information. It is also a walk where you can see the impressive Eagle Stone.
You can also walk along White Edge, which is popular as there is a trig point! However, it is good to know that the ground is uneven as there is Big Moor.
What are the Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge short walks?
The Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge short walk involve walking along the edges and returning the same way to the Curbar Edge Car Park. It is straightforward, and you can decide how long you want to walk.
Are the Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge walk to dog friendly?
Yes, you can take your dogs with you. However, they must be kept on their leashes due to livestock and nesting birds! You might also see red deer and highland cattle on this route, so make sure your dog is close.
What is climbing like on Curbar Edge?
There are over 200 different climbing routes on Curbar Edge, so there will be something for everyone. No wonder it is so popular.
Curbar Edge is a major place for rock climbing in the Peak District for the use of traditional rock climbing as well as bouldering.
There aren’t any official routes for sports climbing along the edge due to local regulations and ethics set by various bodies.
The lengths of the routes vary between 20 and 79 feet (6.1 to 24.1 meters). The difficulty of the routes varies in the traditional UK grades from Easy to Extreme, as well as routes with some of the most technical traditional grades and bouldering grades anywhere in the world.
Where can I have a drink after the Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge circular walk?
We recommend The Bridge Inn and the Grouse Inn.
What other walks can I do in the Peak District?
We love exploring the Peak District and have written a list of our best Peak District walking routes to help you plan where to go next. We also love the following hikes that we would recommend:
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.
