Peak District harvest moon walk: Baslow Edge, Birchen Edge, White Edge (15 mi)

The Peak District has a way of making the landscape feel timeless. Ancient edges rise above quiet valleys, old stone monuments stand against the wind, and the open moors stretch beneath huge skies that seem to have no end. From the wooded valleys around Froggatt and Curbar to the sweeping ridgelines of Baslow, Birchen and White Edge, this is a landscape shaped by wind, weather, and centuries of footsteps. Join us for a challenging but unforgettable circular adventure across some of the Peak District's most spectacular edges and moorland. We'll follow the rugged heights of Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edge, before reaching Birchen Edge and its striking Nelson's Monument, built in memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson following his famous victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Standing high above the surrounding landscape, the monument rewards the climb with beautiful sweeping views across the Peak District. From there, we'll continue across the wide-open landscape of White Edge and Big Moor. As the day unfolds, the character of the landscape will keep changing — from wooded valleys and rocky escarpments to vast horizons across the Derbyshire moors. And if we're lucky, the autumn hills may offer something truly special: wild red deer moving across the moorland, with the deep roar of stags carrying across the landscape during the autumn rut. As evening approaches, the walk takes on a different atmosphere beneath the full Moon. If the skies are clear, moonlight will begin to illuminate the familiar hills and edges as darkness falls, casting the surrounding landscape in a completely different light. The open moorland, silhouettes of the ridges and vast night sky should make the final part of the walk feel very different from the landscape we experienced during the day. Walking under a full Moon offers a chance to experience the Peak District from another perspective — quieter, darker and more atmospheric, with the moonlight guiding us across the hills and stars appearing overhead. Of course, the experience will depend on the weather and cloud conditions on the night. It's a long and demanding day, but one filled with wild landscapes, sweeping views, autumn colours, the possibility of red deer and, as darkness arrives, the atmospheric glow of the full Moon. Come prepared for a challenging day on the hills and an evening experience that should be quite unlike an ordinary Peak District walk. 📸 Featured Photo of this Event Full moon by Jim Peaco / Yellowstone National Park is in the public domain. 📍 Meeting Location & Time Meeting Location: Grindleford Station Café, Upper Padley, S32 2JA Link to Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXdLUyTuqjYQkJJk6 Link to What3words: https://what3words.com/famous.bland.flats Meeting Time: 12:45 PM Start Time: 13:00 (1:00 PM) 🥾 Walk Overview Distance: ~15 miles (24 km) Elevation Gain: ~1,900 ft (600 mt) Duration: ~7 hours Difficulty: Hard Route Type: Circular 🐇🐢 Pace & Fitness Requirements This is a long and challenging walk, so please make sure you’re comfortable with the distance, terrain and planned pace. We’ll do our best to keep everyone together and wait when we can, but we may not always be able to wait for long if someone falls significantly behind. Please come prepared and confident that you can keep up with the group. We recommend downloading the route in advance in case you need to take a shortcut or continue independently. ⛰️ Route Highlights Froggatt Curbar Baslow Edge Nelson's Monument Birchen Edge White Edge 📲 Route Links View Route on Komoot Download GPX file 🚆 Public Transport direct trains from/to Sheffield direct trains from/to Manchester 🌦️ Weather & Clothing The weather on the hills can be highly variable, windy, and cold — even during the summer months. Please wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip to handle muddy and slippery terrain. Avoid flat trainers or jeans. Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions: Moisture-wicking base layers Insulating mid-layers Waterproof outer layers Useful links for weather forecasts: Grindleford @ BBC Weather Froggatt @ BBC Weather 🎒 What to Bring Sturdy walking boots or shoes with good grip (no flat trainers) Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (avoid jeans) Sufficient food and water for the entire day Waterproof jacket and warm layers Sun protection (suncream, sunglasses) Torch (or headlamp) A comfortable backpack Optional: hiking poles, hat, camera, binoculars, power bank, phone (or watch) with the route downloaded 🐶 Dogs Fit and friendly dogs are welcome! Please keep them on a lead near livestock. 🦌 Deer The moorland around White Edge and Big Moor is one of the best places in the Peak District to spot wild red deer. In autumn, the landscape comes alive with the rut — the dramatic deer mating season. Listen out for the deep roars of stags, and you might witness antler clashes as males compete for females. In the final part of our walk, we'll have a good chance to catch the action, especially when crossing White Edge and passing near the Longshaw Estate. Keep a safe distance — stags can be unpredictable during the rut. Binoculars help! 🌕🌅 Full Moon & Sunset We’ll be walking beneath the Harvest Moon as daylight fades across the Peak District. The Harvest Moon is the traditional name for the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox, and has long been associated with the harvest season and the extra light it provided for working after sunset. The Moon reaches its full phase at approximately 5:49 PM BST and rises around 6:32 PM, just before sunset at 6:56 PM. If conditions are clear, we’ll experience a beautiful transition from daylight and sunset into moonlight as we cross the open moorland. As darkness gradually sets in, the rising full Moon should create a spectacular atmosphere across the hills and surrounding landscape. Full Moon: 5:49 PM BST Moonrise: 6:32 PM BST Sunset: 6:56 PM BST Civil twilight ends: 7:30 PM BST 6:56–7:30 PM — Civil Twilight: There will still be some natural light in the sky as the sun sets, gradually giving way to moonlight. After 7:30 PM — Night: Darkness will have fully set in, with the full Moon and stars providing the evening backdrop. Useful links: Sunrise & Sunset — Peak District Moonrise & Moonset — Peak District 📢 Notes The route is planned via Komoot and not pre-walked, so expect possible muddy or slippery sections. This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are unsafe, or if the walk leaders have an unexpected emergency and can no longer make it. Updates will be posted in the comments, so please enable email notifications for any changes. Please bring a torch or headlamp for your safety. 📌 Bookings Please only book if you genuinely intend to attend. If you reserve a spot but can no longer make it, please cancel your booking or let the organiser know. It only takes a moment to update your booking, and it really helps everyone: the organiser, the walk leader, and your fellow attendees. ⛑️ Disclaimer You are fully responsible for your own safety, health, fitness, and equipment. The group has no insurance — by RSVPing, you agree to these terms. 📬 Questions? Feel free to comment below or message the organiser privately.