An Exciting Padley Gorge Walk
The Padley Gorge walk is a family-friendly walk in the Longshaw Estate in the Peak District National Park. It is a popular place to come because it is close to Sheffield, it is beautiful, and families love the area, as kids love to paddle and climb in the gorge. The Longshaw Estate was given to the National Trust in 1931 to secure its preservation and now has the protection of the Peak District National Park Authority.
The Peak District is England’s first national park because pioneers fought tirelessly for the protection of special landscapes like this. We can enjoy the Padley Gorge walk today because of them!
You can expect magical woodland, rivers, rocky edges and beauty at every turn in the Padley Gorge walk. What’s great is that there are plenty of different walks to do depending on distance and time, so there is a Padley Gorge walk out there for everyone. We have offered an alternative to the National Trust’s guided walks; this is because they are well-signposted in different colours, and it would be difficult to get lost. There is an easy route (orange), a short route (pink) and a medium route (blue).
How to get to Padley Gorge
Padley Gorge is between Grindleford Village and the A6187. You can reach it by bus, train and car.
Bus: You can catch the service 272 Sheffield to Castleton and the 214 Sheffield to Matlock service and get off at Fox House.
Train: Grindleford Station is the closest train station. It is 1.5 miles uphill through Padley Gorge to the Visitor Centre and café.
Car: Access, the Padley Gorge, walks via the A6187 between Sheffield and Hathersage. Follow the signs from the Fox House.
Where do you park for the Padley Gorge walk?
£5.00 – All day (over 4 hours)
The Padley Gorge walk car park is the Woodcroft car park. You do not need to book, but spaces are limited. It is free for National Trust Members (scan your badge) or the following:
£3.50 – Up to 4 hours
You can pay at the machines or use PayByPhone – following the instructions on the machine when you arrive.
The support helps the National Trust plant more trees across the Peak District.
Padley Gorge walk postcode is S11 7TZ
This postcode will bring you to Longshaw, and then you should follow the brown signs to the Woodcroft car park.
There is also free parking along the Fox House road, but this is limited and will get full very quickly, especially on school holidays, the weekend or lovely sunny days.
Facilities at Padley Gorge
- Longshaw Café is open from 10:00 – 16:00 every day, according to the website. However, on the last occasion, we were there, the sign said it closed at 17:00. They sell hot and cold drinks, cakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches and more. It is a brand new cafe that opened in Spring 2021 that can now offer spaces for around 180 inside and outside. They had an aim to cater for everyone including people with dogs and prams. It is 3 times the size of their old cafe.
- Toilets are in the Longshaw Café Hub area open from 10:00-16:00 every day.
- There are picnic benches at the Woodcroft car park.
- There is also the Grindleford Station Café along the route, where you can get lots of different hot food – including chips. There is usually a queue! The café is usually open Wednesday-Friday from 09:00-16:00 and Saturday- Sunday from 09:00-17:00.
- The Fox House Pub is near the main car park and has one of our favourite beer gardens looking out onto the Peak District.
- For up to date information, read the National Trust’s : What To Expect Page.
When is the best time to go on the Padley Gorge Walk?
The Padley Gorge walk is a year-round track. Most people say that the best time to visit is Autumn because of the magical colours of the leaves. In May, people love to visit to see the Bluebells in Yarncliffe Wood. However, others enjoy the Padley Gorge walk in the summer because they can relax and dip their feet into the water when the weather is warm. We have completed the Padley Gorge walk-in (almost) every season and love returning time and time again.
A Circular Padley Gorge Walking Route – 12 Simple Steps to Follow
Distance: 6km
Time: 2-3 hours (stops dependent)
Elevation: 196m
If you do take a wrong turn at any point in the Padley Gorge walk, do not worry; follow the steps backwards or use your map to find an alternative route to the next checkpoint. There are many paths, especially in the woods, and when they are blanketed in leaves, you may miss the turning. It is part of the adventure.
- Start by walking to the Visitor Centre and cafe by following the path over the small bridge. Turn left at the Visitor Centre and follow the estate walks signpost down a stony path.
- Go through the gate, turn right and continue down the path. When you arrive at another gate, you will see a pond on your right-hand side. Continue following the trail as it curves right into a small wood and then proceed along the path as it winds around the small pond. Do not go through the gate in front of you (this will be the way you return).
- Head downhill into Granby Wood. You will pass a small barn on your right and should continue down through the gate towards the road. Next, you will arrive at Granby Barn on the B6521. Inside the barn, there is lots of information, including maps of the Longshaw Estate, information about the Northern Grit and the Longshaw Estate history. This is worth stopping and reading.
- Cross the road (be careful as it can be busy) and go through the gate. Good to know: there is usually an ice cream van here. Keep right as you go down the hill after the gate. Cross over the small wooden bridge over Burbage Brook. Turn left straight after the bridge, following the signpost for Padley Gorge.
- Keep walking to the bottom of the gorge with the gorge on your right. There will be a smaller wooden bridge but don’t cross it. Continue to the bottom through the gate. The terrain is uneven, with some giant boulders to walk over. The woods are mystical, with turning mossy tree branches. It looks like something out of a fairy tale. A great photo opportunity!
- You will pass a sign for the Sunshine Car Park, and then there will be a fork in the path. Take the right-hand side path, as the left joins back up with it. When the path opens up, take a sharp left down towards the brook, the trail will curve to the right, and you will go past a stone bench. You should see the wooden bridge below – which is where you are heading!
- It can be very boggy in places. Follow the stone steps down and cross the wooden bridge over the gorge. Turn left up the steps and curve around, following the footpath on the right side uphill towards the Totley Tunnel and Grindleford Station, leaving the gorge behind you.
- Take the right-hand path slightly downhill when you get to a fork in the track and continue. The road will be on your left, and when you can see the exit towards the road, take a right and go down the path towards the train station.
- Cross the bridge to see the tunnel and the Grindleford Station Cafe. Watch out for the cars. It is a great spot to have a bowl of chips, a full English breakfast, or maybe just a coffee. After you are done exploring or resting, you need to return following the brook heading uphill until you get to a fork in the path. Take the right uphill. It will be after you see a small tunnel.
- Follow this path up through Yarncliffe Wood until you arrive back at the B6521 road again. You will be walking parallel to the road as you walk through the wood. At the road, turn left, and you will see a National Trust sign for Yarncliffe Quarry. Cross the road and turn right, going through a white gate next to a public footpath sign. You can stop at the quarry to see the climbers, as this is a popular climbing spot.
- Through the white gate, you will see a house in the distance. Walk past the house, following the footpath signs up to the Granby Woods. These are the yellow and green signs. After, you will come to a path on the Longshaw Estate to take you back to the visitor centre. Head left along the trail, take a right turn through the wood and go through the small gate in front of you.
- Turn right past the pond on the footpath you started on and head back uphill, curving around the pond. Take the left gate, and you will arrive back at the Visitor Centre, where there will be refreshments and toilets waiting for you.
Walk completed!
Top Tips for the Padley Gorge Walk
- Arrive early! The Padley Gorge Walk is a busy route because it is family-friendly, not too strenuous, but beautiful.
- Take all litter home with you or put them in designated bins at the Visitor Centre!
- Take a camera with you. There are so many photo opportunities, and the gorge steals the show!
- Wear appropriate footwear and wear layers to stay warm.
- Take a waterproof coat with you. It is England!
- Take drinking water and snacks for the route.
- Take, screenshot or download a map or instructions before you go and do not rely on phone service. You can download the OS Map on your phone, and they offer a free 30-day trial. Maps.me is also a good alternative. For more essential travel apps, read our guide here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Padley Gorge Walk
Can I swim at Padley Gorge?
Yes, Padley Gorge swimming is popular, especially in the summer months. However, it is more like dipping and paddling than swimming because it is not very deep.
How long is the Padley Gorge trail?
There are many different Padley Gorge trauls. The Padley Gorge trail we have described is 6km and will take roughly 2-3 hours. Depending on whether you are stopping for pictures and food. It could take longer or shorter than this.
What other walks can I do in the Peak District National Park?
There are so many walks in the Peak District; it can be difficult to decide what walk to do next. To help decide you next Peak District walk, read our guides to the:
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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