Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Natalia
Higger Tor is an impressive gritstone rock formation in the Peak District, with lovely views of the Burbage Valley and surrounding countryside. It’s on our list of easy Peak District walks plus our list of best views in the Peak District, but is generally less busy than the nearby viewpoints of Stanage Edge and Bamford Edge. There is free parking within walking distance of Higger Tor, and the 10-15 minute walk to the viewpoint is relatively easy. If you want a longer walk then you can always combine it with a visit to Stanage Edge or Bamford Edge. Find out everything you need to know before you visit with this guide to the Higger Tor walk in the Peak District!
Higger Tor Parking
The Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park conveniently offers free parking just a short walk from Higger Tor, at postcode S32 1BR. It’s a small car park with around 30-40 parking spaces, so it’s best to arrive early to guarantee a space – especially during the busier summer months.
Free Higger Tor Parking Postcode – S32 1BR
There are other car parks within walking distance of Higger Tor, which you can use if you want to do a longer walk or if the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park is full. Both Hook’s Carr Car Park and Hollin Bank Car Park are just a short distance away, nearby to Stanage Edge which you can easily include on a circular walk.
Hook’s Carr Car Park offers free parking, and is closer to Higger Tor in comparison to Hollin Bank Car Park. The latter car park does charge, with a day’s parking costing £4.75.
Walking routes
Higger Tor walk from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park
The walk to Higger Tor starts at the gated public footpath in the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park. As you turn into the car park, the gate will be on your left hand side.
Head through the gate and take the path to the right. The footpath is uneven and rocky at first, but continue along it for around 10 minutes.
After this, the footpath will begin to lead you upwards towards Higger Tor itself. Once you’ve reached the top of the tor you will have brilliant panoramic views of the surrounding Peak District.
There are several viewpoints at Higger Tor, so make sure to walk around the plateau to enjoy the various views. The unique rock formations are impressive to see up close, and you can climb the rocks to get different perspectives of the surrounding scenery.
It’s a relatively short walk to Higger Tor from the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park, but thankfully there are a couple of other spots to visit nearby if you want a longer walk.
If you do want a longer walk then the most logical option is to continue onwards towards Carl Wark – an Iron Age hill fort. It’s around a 10 minute walk from Higger Tor, making it a quick and easy addition to your walk.
Click here to download the trail for the Higger Tor and Carl Wark hike on AllTrails!
Higger Tor walk from Stanage Edge
If you’ve parked at either the Hook’s Carr Car Park or Hollin Bank Car Park then you can do a (kind of) circular walk of Higger Tor to Stanage Edge. Both car parks have trails leading up Stanage Edge, so follow the path up to begin the walk.
Once you’re on top of the cliff then you have two options – turn left or right. The quickest option is to turn right, but if you want to enjoy more of the views from Stanage Edge then you can turn left and walk along the clifftop for a few kilometres. If you do the latter then you’ll need to turn back and retrace your steps when you’re ready to head onwards to Higger Tor.
Follow the path along the top of Stanage Edge, and towards the end of the cliff there is a path that leads slightly to the left. This route will lead you down towards Ringinglow road, at which point you’re just 100 metres from Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park.
There is a gate on the left just after you enter the car park, which marks the start of the public footpath to Higger Tor. After going through the gate, make sure to take the path to the right.
From there it should take around 15 minutes until you reach Higger Tor itself, where you can enjoy some wonderful views of the Peak District. If you want to extend your walk further than you can continue onwards to Carl Wark, which is around a 10-15 minute walk away.
When you’re ready to continue with the remainder of the walk, start heading back from Higger Tor towards the Upper Burbage Bridge Car Park. After a short walk there will be a path to your left which leads to the road.
Take the path to the left, cross the road and then go over the nearby stile into the field. Walk across the field towards The Dale road, then climb over the stile and cross the road.
At this point there is a path leading back up to Stanage Edge. If you didn’t take the chance to walk along more of Stanage Edge earlier, then now is a good time to do so. When you’re ready head back down to where you parked by going down the route you went up earlier.
Click here to view the Higger Tor and Stanage Edge walk on AllTrails!
Tips for visiting Higger Tor
Hathersage Village – Hathersage is conveniently located nearby to Higger Tor, as well as both Stanage Edge and Bamford Edge. The village is home to shops, restaurants, pubs and a bakery, making it an ideal stop if you’re looking for a bite to eat before or after your walk.
Birdlife – As well as enjoying the wonderful views, make sure to keep an eye out for birds of prey. We saw a kestrel during our visit to Higger Tor, and we’re sure there are plenty of other interesting birds to see in the area.
Mam Tor – Higger Tor is around 10 miles away from Mam Tor, so it’s easily possible to visit both spots in one day. If you’re planning on doing longer circular walks at either spot then you may be a bit pushed for time, but it’s doable if you start early enough.
Continue your adventures in the Peak District with these the great spots of Thor’s Cave and Chrome Hill.
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