A Complete Guide to the Three Shires Head Walk
The Three Shires Head walk is a popular, family-friendly waterfall route in the White Peaks, part of the Peak District National Park. Interestingly, the waterfalls and Packhorse Bridge on Axe Edge Moor is where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire counties meet.
It is known as a short walk, and you will arrive at the Three Shires Head at roughly halfway, which means it is a great spot to have a picnic and a rest. If you visit in the warmer months, you will notice a lot of people wild swimming in the River Dane, as well as those just having a paddle or dipping their feet into the water.
Packhorse Bridge is one of the main attractions of the Three Shires Head walk, it was likely built in the 18th century and today is Grade II listed. It is said to be a place where thieves once came to escape the law by rushing to another county.
When you see the stone bridge, you will realise why it is a popular photograph for many calendars. It is picturesque and beautiful and should be on your Peak District waterfalls bucket list.
Walk Details
Three Shires Head Walk Distance: 6.5km (4 miles).
Three Shires Head Walk Time: 2-3 hours (depending on stops).
Three Shires Head Walk Elevation: 230m
Three Shires Head Walk Terrain: Grass, rocks, tarmac.
How to get to the Three Shires Head Walk
The best way to reach the start of the walk is by car. Public transport is not good enough, which is a shame considering the limited parking options.
The nearest train station is Buxton, and from there you can reach Flash (the highest village in Britain), but it is still 2.5 miles. If you want to head to the Peaks and you do not have a car, we can recommend Kinder Scout, due to the train station in Edale.
Three Shires Head Parking
Three Shires Head Car Park: The Roaches Gradbach Car Park (free parking) – this is also the car park for the Lud’s Church Walk.
The Three Shires Head postcode is SK17 0SU. Please remember that postodes are rural, so we recommend following the Google Maps directions instead to Gradbach Car Park.
Grid reference: SJ 99852
Alternatively, there is £10 all-day parking at Greensytch Farm and Shiredale Dane View House. The latter has an honesty box at the entrance and there is parking in a large field nearby in the summer months. Remember when you are parking, please keep the road clear for emergency vehicles.
There are no toilets in the Three Shires Head car park.
You can also reach the walk from Flash, Wildboarclough and the Cat and Fiddle pub if you prefer, but you will need to follow a different route to Three Shires Head to the one suggested below.
Three Shires Head Weather
Remember to check the Three Shires Head weather here from the BBC for Flash (the closest village). It is a good idea to ensure you are prepared for your walk.
Three Shires Head Swimming
Swimming at Three Shires Head is very popular during the summer months, with many people enjoying wild swims. Please remember that the rocks are slippery and if you were to get in any danger, there is no phone signal.
If people are jumping in, please do not follow as this is extrememly dangerous because the water is not deep enough!
Top Tips for the Three Shires Head Walk
1. The Three Shires Head Walk Car Park is free, but it is small and hectic on weekends. You can park in the laybys, but these also get full quickly. Some people have reported fines in the past. We suggest arriving before 9 am on weekends to get a guranteed spot in the car park.
2. There are toilets at the Riverside café near the car park. This lovely little spot serves coffees, ice creams, and food, with picnic benches next to the river. We recommend a visit. It is about 500m from the car park right down the road. However, it is only open in the Peak season, so you cannot rely on these toilets being open.
3. Wear suitable shoes, the rocks near the bridge at Three Shires Head can be slippery, and some walk stages are pretty rocky. We wore hiking shoes, but a lot of people were wearing trainers. It was in summer and winter it can get very muddy, so be prepared.
4. If it is a hot day, you may want to brave the water, so remember to bring a swimming costume and a towel. It is not uncommon to see people relaxing on the river banks and having a waterfall shower. Three Shires Head swimming is a popular activity.
5. Go as early as possible if you want to be alone without the crowds. It can be a busy beauty spot.
6. The Ordnance Survey map for the Three Shires Head walk is OS Explorer Active Map OL24 (White Peak). You can download this on your phone or get a paper map.
7. Remember to take water, snacks, food and your camera and take all litter home with you. Leave no trace.
8. Dress appropriately and wear layers in the colder months.
9. The phone signal is weak, and we did not get service at all on the Three Shire Heads walk.
10. The walk is dog friendly but remember to keep them on leads and clean up after them.
Three Shires Head Walk from Gradbach Directions
Disclaimer: these Three Shires Head walk directions are only meant to guide and are not supposed to replace your map. They are helpful to understand where to go based upon the descriptions and photographs, but some paths are not obvious, so make sure you are ready.
1. Begin the Three Shires head short walk at the left-hand corner of the Gradbach Car Park( Grid reference SJ 998 662).
Continue following the path next to the stream and go over the wooden footbridge, following the public footpath sign. Keep the river on your left and walk up through the field in the direction of the gate next to the road.
2. Go through the wooden gate and when you reach the road, turn right. Walk uphill following the bend of the road, be careful of the cars and other vehicles. After the curve, there is a public footpath sign next to Dane View House on your left marked DWV (Dane Valley Way). Go down the driveway and take a right through the gate.
3. Go straight across the field through the gate and keep the dry stone wall on your left as you walk up across the fields. Take in the views around you. They’re gorgeous. At the top of the hill, go through the gate where the path forks, take a left (see the picture) and continue diagonally and go through a small wooden gate. Follow the track along with the fields.
4. When you reach the white stone track, follow the path down for roughly 100m. Then at the Public Footpath sign, go through the stone walk and continue up the footpath. Go up in the direction of the gate shown below and follow the path for 900m. You will get to Three Shires Head walking down the track. Be careful on your footing because there are a lot of stones.
5. You have arrived. Now, depending on the time of year you visit, it will either be idyllic or full of people and families. Both offer different experiences. It reminded us of the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye as the waterfalls cascade down the stream.
6. The rocks are slippery so take care. It is an excellent spot for a picnic or even a swim. We last visited on a warm day, and it was full of people swimming and relaxing by the stream. After you’ve finished exploring, cross over the iconic bridge and turn left to walk along the path on the other side of the river.
7. After roughly 500m along the trail, you will see a yellow footpath sign. Follow this path through the gate and across the fields in the direction of the farmhouse. Take a left through the hole in the stone wall and continue down the grassy path. You will arrive at a lane and will see a house. Cars can use this, but it is not common to see one.
8. This then brings you out onto a lane. Cars can go down here, but you’re unlikely to see any, and there are gates across the lane in places. Follow the lane to the left downhill and turn right over the bridge, and continue right, with the river your right.
9. Leave the river behind and follow the path up to the farm towards the farm buildings. Continue right around the corner along the stony path. When there is a grassy right turn, take this to leave the white trail behind you. It is easy to miss, but it’s after the trough, near where you began the walk. Go through the gate from the start, turn right and continue down through the grassy fields. The stone wall should be on your right now.
10. Retrace your footsteps back through the gates, turn left through the drive and then right at the road as it curves downhill. Take a right at the signpost and continue back, past the river, and over the footbridge. You will be able to see the back of the car park! Walk complete!
Alternative Walking Route (circular walk)
Instead of following number 9 and 10 in the directions above, take the path on your left after Bennettshitch Farm to the road. At the road, turn left, continue and then you will reach a bridge. You will then appear at the place where you began the walk and should go back through the field, over the bridge, and you will have arrived back at the car park.
Other Exciting Peak District Hiking Guides:
The Three Shires Walk (3 shires walk) is one of the best short walks in the Peak District. You can also combine this walk with a walk to Lud’s Church or The Roaches.
Alternatively, read our exciting guides to other Peak District walks linked below for your next Peak District trip.
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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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.
This was a great guide, we had a fabulous walk. Brilliantly detailed. Thank you!
Thank you Marzia and we are so glad you had great walk!