6.3
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.3Two gritstone pinnacles rise above a rock-strewn White Peak landscape. Their house-like outline earned the formation another name: Mock Beggar’s Mansion.
Robin Hood’s Stride turns a short visit into a proper bit of White Peak exploration: weather-cut gritstone pinnacles, broad countryside views and a footpath setting threaded with older stories. Its folklore is part of the appeal, but the rocks themselves are the show.
Dramatic · Atmospheric · Quirky
Find your way
Open mapNear Elton, Derbyshire
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The experience
Make the rock formation the focus: approach on a footpath, take in the pinnacles and surrounding White Peak views, and explore only as far as the ground and your confidence allow. For a longer outing, a sourced walking route from Bakewell links the Stride with stone circles, Cratcliffe Hermitage and other historic features.
Things to do
See the twin pinnacles
Look for the two prominent gritstone pinnacles and the house-like profile behind the alternate name Mock Beggar’s Mansion.
Allow time within a short visit
Walk the Limestone Way to the outcrop
Robin Hood’s Stride lies on the Limestone Way; verify the chosen approach, access and route conditions before walking.
Extend to Cratcliffe Hermitage and Nine Stones Close
A longer local walk can include the nearby stone circle and the hermitage’s carved crucifixion scene. Use a detailed route source and check access and conditions.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: the gritstone pinnacles
- 01
Reach Robin Hood’s Stride by a footpath, checking the approach and access before setting out.
- 02
Take time to view the paired pinnacles and the surrounding countryside.
- 03
Keep to ground and routes you can manage; the rock is steep and uneven.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: Stride, stone circle and hermitage
- 01
Use a suitable local footpath to visit Robin Hood’s Stride.
- 02
If you have a route map and conditions are suitable, extend the outing to nearby Nine Stones Close and Cratcliffe Hermitage.
- 03
At the hermitage, look for the crucifixion carving described by the route source as dating to the 14th century.
- 04
Check access, route details and conditions before walking; do not assume the longer route is suitable for every visitor.
Full Wildland day · About 6 hours walking
A full-day White Peak history walk from Bakewell
- 01
Start at Bakewell Bridge and follow the sourced long-distance circular route only with its full directions and route information.
- 02
The route passes villages and the Grey Ladies stone circle before reaching Robin Hood’s Stride.
- 03
Continue, if conditions and time allow, to Cratcliffe Hermitage, Rowtor Rocks, Stanton Moor and the Nine Ladies stone circle.
- 04
The published route is 13.8 miles, with 1,739 feet of ascent and an average walking time of 6 hours 15 minutes; plan accordingly and check the route source for current details.
Verified history
Robin Hood’s Stride is a gritstone rock formation near Elton, also known as Mock Beggar’s Mansion. The supplied source describes the pinnacles as Weasel Pinnacle and Inaccessible Pinnacle. Nearby Nine Stones Close is a four-stone circle, while Cratcliffe Tor has a rock shelter known as the Hermit’s Cave, with a crucifixion carving dated stylistically to the 13th or 14th century. A separate route account describes the carving as 14th-century.
Folklore & legend
Local legend says Robin Hood leapt between the two rock pinnacles. The name Mock Beggar’s Mansion is associated with their resemblance to the chimneys of a large house. These are stories attached to the landscape, not verified events.
Hidden details
The pinnacles have names — The source identifies the eastern pinnacle as Weasel Pinnacle and the western one as Inaccessible Pinnacle.
A hermitage carving nearby — Cratcliffe Tor’s rock shelter, the Hermit’s Cave, contains a crucifixion carving dated stylistically to the 13th or 14th century.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal highlight for the outcrop.
Check forecast and ground conditions before walking. Steep, uneven rock and paths call for care.
The route
- ascent
- 1,739 feet
- distance
- 13.8 miles for the Bakewell circular route
- duration
- Average 6 hours 15 minutes
- difficulty
- Long route; the source notes it may be too far for many walkers. Check route details before setting out.
- route shape
- Circular route from Bakewell Bridge
- start point
- Bakewell Bridge
- parking start
- Check before visiting; the route source links to car park and public-transport information but the supplied excerpt does not specify arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- A shorter outing to Robin Hood’s Stride is possible, but the supplied sources do not specify a verified short-route distance or duration.
- Robin Hood’s Stride
- Grey Ladies stone circle
- Cratcliffe Hermitage
- Rowtor Rocks
- Stanton Moor and the Nine Ladies stone circle
- Haddon Hall
Worth pairing with
Nine Stones Close
A nearby four-stone circle that can be included in a longer foot outing.
Cratcliffe Hermitage
A nearby rock shelter with a historic crucifixion carving, described in the supplied sources as 13th–14th century in date.
What to look for
The paired gritstone pinnacles, deeply seamed rock surfaces and the outcrop’s house-like silhouette. Treat the Robin Hood leap as folklore, not documented history.
The story
Folklore & legend; nearby prehistoric archaeology
Best time to go
Check local conditions; no specific seasonal peak is established by the supplied sources.
No particular season or time of day is verified by the supplied sources. Check the forecast and ground conditions, especially before attempting uneven or steep sections.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A gritstone outcrop reached by footpaths, including the Limestone Way. Access routes include paths from roads in the area; check current route conditions and access before setting out. The rocks are steep and uneven, and climbing or scrambling requires care.
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Parking
Check before visiting; supplied sources do not confirm a dedicated car park or parking arrangements.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports no wheelchair-accessible car park or entrance. The outcrop and surrounding paths include steep, uneven terrain; check route suitability before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Robin Hood’s Stride
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
