Blacka Moor Nature Reserve is a hidden gem that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Sheffield city life.
With its diverse range of habitats, breathtaking views, and abundant wildlife, this nature reserve is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and a haven for those seeking solace in the great outdoors. Surprisingly, it is never that busy.
How to get to Blacka Moor
The nature reserve is located just a few miles southwest of Sheffield, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors alike. Its Stony Ridge free car park on Hathersage Road offers a space only for a few cars but you can also park at the nearby Longshaw National Trust and walk up.
About Blacka Moor Nature Reserve
Blacka Moor was presented to the City of Sheffield in the 1930s by Alderman J G Graves for the use and benefit of the people of the city. It is still owned by the Council but is leased and managed by the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. The trust also organizes regular events and guided walks, providing an opportunity to learn more about the reserve’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
The reserve contains 181 hectares of breathtaking scenery and forms part of a much larger internationally important wild landscape called the Eastern Peak District Moors which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
What to see in Blacka Moor Nature Reserve
Some unique features of Blacka Moor include the varieties of heather, the gradual transition from woodland to open moor, and its population of bilberry bumblebees. Its diverse migrant bird population includes willow warblers, black caps, cuckoos, wheatears, stonechats, and whinchats. You might be in luck and see a red deer on site too!
You may also come across some wildflowers, including cowslips, meadow buttercups, and orchids from spring onwards.
The woodland also provides a habitat for a diverse range of fungi such as the fly agaric and the shaggy ink cap adding a splash of colour to the forest floor.
Photographers’ Paradise
As you can see from the photos in this article, Blacka Moor is a photographers’ paradise. Especially in autumn, when the ancient woodland trees showcase spectacular autumnal colours. The reserve is a perfect place for woodland photography in any season.
READ MORE: Amazing views from Winn Hill, Peak District National Park
Take a Walk
We parked at the Longshaw car park and walked up to the Stony Ridge Entrance to start our walk. Soon we went through the wooded area of Strawberry Lee Plantation towards the Devil’s Elbow. Furthermore, we then walked through the Blacka Plantation to Stepping Stones and then back via Blacka Plantation to the car park.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat to reconnect with nature look no further than Blacka Moor Nature Reserve. You will be surprised by its stunning landscape, abundant wildlife, and rich history. This hidden gem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits.
So put your walking boots on and go for a pleasant walk. Just watch your steps in the woodland as the path is uneven, steep in places, and can be muddy after the rain.
Have you been to Blacka Moor? Let me know in the comments below the post.
Peak District Walks
Wild Red Deer at White Edge, Peak District
Roasting on Higger Tor and Carl Wark, Peak District
Bolehill Quarry and Woods, Peak District
Upper Burbage Bridge to Higger Tor Walk, Peak District
