Cratcliffe Tor Routes

Access is sensitive!

Cratcliffe Tor lies on open access land, designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000). This gives area access rather than linear access as provided by public rights of way. It also gives a legal right of access specifically for climbing, as well as walking and other quiet recreation on foot.

Please bear in mind however that the landowner still has the right to restrict access for up to 28 days per year (often used on public safety grounds for shooting in moorland areas), and can also apply for longer term restrictions with Natural England (such as bans on dogs, or regular restrictions during particular times of year).

Approaches
There are two possibilities:
1) Park in an unsurfaced lay-by on the B5056, approximately 4.5km from the junction with the A6 Bakewell-to-Matlock Road. The crag is visible up to the right from here. Cross the road then climb a stile on the right, which marks the start of a track leading up to farm buildings. Follow this for approximately 350m then veer leftwards on a grassy footpath (the ‘Limestone Way’) heading towards the prominent pinnacles of Robin Hood’s Stride. At the top of the field there is a stile on the right (just to the right of a wooden seat): cross this and continue up and rightwards through the woods, before dropping down to the base of the left-hand side of the crag (10 minutes). Note: under NO circumstances attempt to approach the crag more directly i.e. by passing closer to the farm buildings.
2) It is also possible to approach the Tor from the minor Alport-to-Elton road (Cliff Lane) running west of the crag. Park in grassy lay-bys just south of the entrance to Harthill Moor Farm. Be sure to leave sufficient room for passing farm vehicles! Opposite the farm entrance is a public footpath signposted ‘Robin Hood’s Stride / The Limestone Way’. Follow this across fields for some 350m to reach a wooden gate on a wide track below Robin Hood’s Stride. Follow the track downhill for some 50m then pass through a stile on the left to enter another field. Follow a well-marked grassy footpath aiming for yet another stile in the bottom right-hand corner of the field then drop down and right, skirting past boulders (hundreds of excellent problems here), to reach the left-hand side of the crag (10 minutes).