Walking In Peak District

Whether you are a long distance rambler, a hilltop hiker, a Sunday stroller, a fanciful footslogger or an enthusiastic pedestrian preferring to explore urban or village life, Peak District Walks is for you.

Walking in the Peak District offers a diverse and delightful mixture of countryside from which to choose. You may prefer to trek across exposed moorland where walkers now have more freedom to roam, thanks to the recently introduced Access rights. Alternatively there are easier paths to pursue, especially around the White Peak where walkers can descend into the Derbyshire Dales and follow riverside paths, woodland tracks or simply cross fields and stiles over an undulating landscape with glorious far-reaching views. The Peak District is carefully managed by the National Park Authority and local Councils, with the emphasis on providing a safe and enjoyable environment whilst successfully retaining a balance between visitors and the conservation and preservation of its countryside, flora, fauna and wildlife.

The majority of paths, tracks and rights of way are clearly way-marked and have accessible stiles or gates which are well maintained and regularly monitored. Erosion of popular paths is controlled by introducing hard-wearing protection such as the thousands of Yorkshire slabs which have been painstakingly laid over several moors and popular paths in the Dark Peak area. Not only do these protect the landscape, but they also make walking across bleak and hazardous moorland much safer and more accessible. The Peak District and Derbyshire are criss-crossed by recognised routes and paths for ramblers such as The Limestone Way, The Midshires Way, The Pennine Bridleway, The Derwent Valley Heritage Way and the southernmost stretch of the famous but indomitable Pennine Way. Then there are the disused railway lines running through the heart of the White Peak countryside which have been utilised and transformed into the Tissington Trail, the Monsal Trail and High Peak Trail. Derbyshire may not have a coastline, but we make up for it with massive reservoirs set in scenically beautiful countryside, where you can find many waterside paths and tracks that are easy to follow and some which are pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

A visit to Carsington Water in the south of the region can provide a whole day of entertainment, especially if you decide to walk the 8-mile lap around the Water’s edge. Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs can be found in the Dark Peak, set amidst wooded valleys beneath heather clad moors dotted with the occasional boulder and outcrop of gritstone rocks that have strange sounding names like The Salt Cellar or Cakes of Bread.

You can wander around our website to prepare for your Walk in the Peak District. We have provided some general ’what you need to know’ information that should help you to have a happy and enjoyable walk. There is also a selection of walks for you to download and follow, which have been compiled by competent and experienced writers. However, if you do not feel confident enough to venture out alone, or would simply like to be guided around the beauty spots by an informative and friendly guide, then click on our Guided Walk section for further details. Whatever you choose, enjoy your Peak District Walk!

Peak District Walks - Hopton Hall Hopton Hall is nestled below typical Peak District hills in the hamlet of Hopton, a few minutes drive west of Wirksworth and looks out towards Carsington Reservoir, which is another few minutes drive further on.  In fact, when the reservoir was constructed in the 1980’s some of Hopton Hall’s estate was swallowed by the water, but nevertheless it is still surrounded by thirty acres of it’s own lovely countryside. Many locals and visitors to the Peak District will know about the snowdrop gardens at Hopton Hall; the... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 07 March 2013 01:32PM

Peak District Walks - Winter Hills Snow; fallen and frozen, air; calm, cold, crisp, sky; blue & high cloud. Fantastic conditions for a run on the higher ground of the Peak District.   Stunning winter conditions The Hope valley was wreathed in its customary cloak, the cold air, subsiding overnight forming an inversion and resulting in cold, grey conditions.  Climbing the flanks of Win Hill I emerged from the fog into stunning winter conditions. Temperatures were sub zero but the climb proved sufficient to warm all but the exposed skin on my face. ... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 31 January 2013 09:55AM

Peak District Walks - Fell Running – Hill Forts and Limestone Ravines It was a dull, damp and dreary morning in the Peak District - not at all inspiring for running in the hills. Cloud capped Peak District hills With the air in the valley full of fine drizzle and the higher ground cloaked in wet hill fog the only positive was that the weather was much better than yesterday's deluge and than that predicted for tomorrow.  I decided on a high circle of Castleton, with a sharp climb from the valley to gain height followed by the undulating ridge. Heading out across the fields towards Losehill Hall... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 07 January 2013 09:53AM

Peak District Walks - Fell Running – Winter Coming The high moors of the Peak District have had their first dusting of snow.   Winter comes to the Peak District And with a cold, crisp winter's day giving an ideal opportunity for a run I decided to visit some less frequented parts of the Peak.  Starting at the turning circle at the northern end of Derwent reservoir I immediately noticed a keen wind.  The water, glassy and mirror like on my last visit now rippled under the northerly breeze. Thankful of the meagre heat from a wintery sun in an almost cloudless sky I set... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:12AM

Peak District Walks - Bright Jewels on a Dull Day Some days the Peak District is shrouded in low cloud or hill fog and the splendid views are replaced by a damp, dreary clag. It is harder to be inspired on these dull days, no yonder far horizon of blue hills nor sun dappled heather and bracken. But wait, there is a visual reward to be had if you look more closely. One such day finds me running on the moorland around Derwent Edge practising some navigation skills.  The reduced visibility creates a smaller world and as I run it forces me to focus more on my immediate... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 19 November 2012 01:47PM

Peak District Walks - Autumn Colours The damp, grey blanket that has hung limply over the area for most of the week has finally gone and once again fell running in the Peak District is a pleasure. The anticyclonic gloom replaced now by brighter but noticeably colder weather as the Northerly reminds us that winter is not far ahead.  Summer time is over and the shortening days have had their effect on the trees, the leaves turning through a kaleidoscope of green, yellow, brown and red as they give up the fight and fall, recycled into nature to provide shelter and... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 01 November 2012 12:28PM

Peak District Walks - A Circular Walk from Alsop Moor This walk begins just off the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road in a large lay-by at the end of Crosslow Lane at Alsop Moor.  The route is slightly undulating and travels through some of the finest scenery the southern Peak District has to offer - especially if done in Autumn when the colours are at their finest. Anyway, we begin by crossing the busy road - beware of the fast traffic, it really comes at a pace along this stretch and a slight bend either way makes it more hazardous - but once negotiated, you are instantly into calmer... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 26 October 2012 10:49AM

Peak District Walks - Grey Skies to Blue Running in the Peak District on autumn mornings often means setting off in damp grey conditions.  The colder nights combined with the still relatively warm ground can lead to early morning mist and fog, especially in the valleys.  However if the atmospheric conditions are right this low cloud can burn off giving fantastic views later in the day. I set off on one such morning for a run around the Burbage and Stanage area.  Getting out of the car the air is cold and damp without a breath of wind.  Moisture hangs heavy on... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 19 October 2012 01:58PM

Peak District Walks - Night Running - Ox Stones and Lady Canning’s Plantation The nights are drawing in but a day of good weather has given a great opportunity for evening running in wonderful conditions. Twilight running Grabbing the opportunity to squeeze in a late evening run I picked up a friend and we headed out to the nearest part of the Peak District for a twilight run.  The sun was setting by the time we started but there was just enough light to run without torches for 20 minutes or so. The light was fantastic, salmon pink in the west merging to shades of turquoise and a deep indigo to the east... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 05 October 2012 11:13AM

Peak District Walks - Evening Sun on White Edge White Edge, high to the east of Grindleford in the Peak District is a lovely location for a run.  There are interesting things to discover off the main path and it offers great views across Big Moor towards Sheffield, Chesterfield and westwards across the National Park in the direction of Tideswell.  This westerly aspect makes it ideal for an evening run when broken high cloud offers the prospect of a fine sunset and the orange rays enhance the purple of the heather. Starting at the junction of the A625 and B6054 I head up onto... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 13 September 2012 10:11AM

Peak District Walks - A Short Walk in The Goyt Valley This walk, with breathtaking views of The Goyt and surrounding hillsides, covers an area much changed over the last 150 years.  Whilst anyone travelling forward in time from that era would probably still recognise it from the lie of the land, they would be amazed at the differences that have occurred in this beautiful Peak District valley. Although only approximately 3 ½ miles long, the walk takes in varied terrain and changing scenery almost from the start, which, incidentally is about half-way down Goyt’s Lane, off the... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 20 August 2012 09:36AM

Peak District Walks - CROWDEN & KINDER Crowden Clough The climb up Crowden is a challenge for any fell runner: uneven, loose, slippery and so steep in its upper reaches that most people will be slowed to a hands on knees walk.  But the rewards are fantastic views and good running on the path flanking the Kinder plateau. Accessed from Upper Booth rather than Edale, Crowden sees less traffic than its neighbour Grindsbrook Clough but shares the same characteristics.  Starting in Edale I work my way through a network of fields and footpaths to Upper Booth and... Peak District Blog Posted on Wednesday, 15 August 2012 01:19PM

Peak District Walks - A Burbage Evening – Racing Clouds My favourite running area is the Burbage Valley, close to Hathersage in the Peak District.  It is only 10km from the city centre yet gives the feel of being rugged and remote, especially if you can avoid the weekend crowds. There is plenty of parking at the top and bottom of the valley and a choice of terrain to run on including trail, fell and steep hill.  It has everything an off road runner needs and if you park at the Fox House you can reward your efforts with a little "liquid refreshment" afterwards. I took advantage a brief... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 06 July 2012 01:32PM

Peak District Walks - Black Hill Circular For experienced hill-walkers only.  About ten miles with challenging terrain in parts. The OS 1:25000 “Dark Peak” map and good compass are essential, as is a stick for testing the ground, before you commit to tread. Black Hill.  A sinister sounding name; a dark reputation.  The second, challenging day for walkers attempting the full length of The Pennine Way; a grim summit of black, boggy peat, stained even blacker by the industrial grime brought on the howling wind from the Lancashire mills. The reality... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 22 June 2012 12:44PM

Peak District Walks - Bleaklow Circular For experienced hill-walkers only.  About ten miles with challenging terrain in parts. OS 1:25000 map and good compass are essential. Bleaklow sits brooding at the centre of the High Peak, a high, boggy plateau with a sinister reputation; yet it has its picturesque aspects, also.  This walk takes in some of the very best scenery that the Peak District has to offer as well as some impressive industrial heritage. The walk begins at the Torside Car Park which will be found on the B6105, the Glossop to Crowden road.  OS Grid... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 22 June 2012 12:08PM

Peak District Walks - Folly Jolly by Les Singleton  A nice day in the middle of all this bad weather! We decided, as it was a short day for us due to other commitments, to go close to home – Buxton, to be precise. Sue said it was AGES since we’d been to the folly known as Solomon’s Temple, or Grinlow tower, so that’s where I pointed the map! We parked up at the side of the park. As this walk was a few weeks ago ), the daffs were out in force. This is looking over the pond in the middle of Buxton central park.   We left the park and climbed out of town,... Peak District Blog Posted on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 01:32PM

Peak District Walks - Flower Power It’s that super time of the year again where everything is new, alive and BURSTING to get out there! We know where the best spots for wild flowers are, and never tire of visiting them when they are at their best. The walk started from Wardlow Mires, where our favourite pub, the Three Stags is. Jeff, the landlord, kindly gave us permission to park there for the day. Here’s the unusual sign. No ordinary painted board for the Stags! It’s a quirky place, and their sense of humour is nicely summed up by this sign in the small... Peak District Blog Posted on Wednesday, 06 June 2012 12:07PM

Peak District Walks - A Walk Around Ellastone About five miles; fairly easy going, with a few difficult stiles. The starting point of this walk is not in the village of Ellastone itself, but down at the magnificent bridge over the River Dove, (on the B5033).  Just before the bridge there is a kind of lay-by on the right (if you are approaching from the Ellastone direction) which makes for easy parking on this fairly quiet road. The first thing you will want to do is to have a short explore along the footpaths that lead along the River Dove in either direction, as the famous... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 28 May 2012 10:37AM

Peak District Walks - A Short Walk from Alport Alport, a satellite of Youlgrave,  nestles ¾ mile downstream of its larger neighbour at the confluence of the Rivers’ Lathkill and Bradford.  It is a sleepy little hamlet which sits quietly between the waters in one of the most picturesque, yet lesser-known beauty spots of the Peak District. On the “B” road which passes through, you will find lay-bys either side of the road where you may park, and the walk begins where the Lathkill cascades down a series of small weirs before going under the road to meet... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 18 May 2012 11:15AM

Peak District Walks - Magical Manifold by Les Singleton After feeling a bit ‘stir crazy’, because we’d not been for a proper walk for about a month, we decided to get out and into the Manifold valley. If you’ve never been here, you’re missing a magical place. The walking here is always what the books would call ‘strenuous’, as you’re forever dropping into, and climbing out of, deep valleys. That aside, the rewards are – well – MANIFOLD! It’s one of my very favourite dales, and it’s where I first fell in love with the great... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 10 May 2012 02:08PM

Peak District Walks - A high level traverse – Mam Tor, Lose Hill, Win Hill, Stanage Edge – 16 miles This is a strenuous walk, not just long in miles, but very up and down, with three main ascents, and few significant sections of level walking. I started from Edale and finished at Surprise View Car Park, but Hope and Bamford, which are passed on the walk, make viable alternatives as start or finish points in order to shorten the walk. Edale is one of the remotest villages in the Peak District, but offers a good range of accommodation, with several campsites, a youth hostel and an inn.  Being the start of the Pennine Way... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 10 May 2012 12:19PM

Peak District Walks - Bakewell Circular – 16 miles This is a long walk, and whilst the terrain isn’t difficult, the walk requires a full day’s attention and shouldn’t be underestimated. There are a few options to shorten it, but it will likely be at least 13 miles if you aren’t planning on using public transport to return to Bakewell. It was a bank holiday Monday when we tackled this route, so rain was guaranteed, and duly came, lasting without let-up for the whole day. The walk leaves Bakewell by a path running behind Bakewell Junior School. To find it, walk... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 30 April 2012 12:49PM

Peak District Walks - A walk from Winster We started our walk today in one of Derbyshire's oldest villages, Winster. It was very big during the lead mining era, and used to have a superb seat decorated with lumps of lead. Of course, these didn't last long before they were stolen. This is a photo of just one of many very old date plaques on houses and cottages in the village.   This is Winster's biggest claim to fame, the market house. It's now an information point, but it still 'looks the part', standing as it does on the main corner of the village.   A REAL... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 22 March 2012 01:55PM

Peak District Walks - Scouting for views by Les Singleton Tuesday dawned nice, and our first day off for - oooooo - THREE DAYS ;-) We'd just got back from ten days in Gran Canaria, so to go from this; To walking in snow was a bit of a shock to the system! However, we'd not done any 'serious' walking for two or three weeks, so Sue suggested a pull up onto Kinder Scout. This meant a climb of almost 2,000 feet, even on a nice day like today, at this time of the year, Kinder could be very 'UNKinder', weather and temperature-wise. Although it was set fair all day, we took no chances and wore... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 08 March 2012 11:32AM

Peak District Walks - Dovedale Delights, Guided Walk with Peak Walking Adventures ‘Dovedale Delights’ is a full day guided walk in beautiful hills and a deep limestone gorge of the White Peak area.  Dovedale is perhaps the best known of the Peak District’s limestone dales and has been a favourite holiday destination for decades.  Our walk explores some of the quieter paths and trails in the hills away from the main tourist route in the bottom of the valley but still includes a crossing of the famous Dovedale stepping stones. From the tiny hamlet of Milldale, you will walk up a steep... Peak District Blog Posted on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 09:57AM

Peak District Walks - Chee Dale & Wormhill On the A6, a few miles to the east of Buxton is a large lay-by on the left beyond Topley Pike and this is the start of a 7.5 mile walk which takes in the little-known village of Wormhill and one of the Peak District’s most  spectacular river paths. At the far end of the lay-by, a zigzag route – part of the Pennine Bridleway –takes you down the steep hill, over the Monsal Trail at the bottom, then over a footbridge crossing the Wye at Blackwell Farm Cottages. Just after the footbridge the bridleway turns right, so... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 27 February 2012 02:38PM

Peak District Walks - Every one's a Winnatt Today, it was cold - VERY cold, so we decided on a short, sharp walk. Just under six miles, but with 1,500 feet of ascent - that would keep us warm! We parked up in Castleton, got quickly suited and booted and set off, looking up at Perveril castle (which gives the town it's name) peeping down at us from it's hillside vantage point.     The river that passes through the centre of the village gives it a special 'nice' look and feel. Also, the cottages are in a really pretty stone. In this light, they don't look as good as in... Peak District Blog Posted on Thursday, 02 February 2012 01:36PM

Peak District Walks - A Walk from Great Longstone This walk, of just under 7 miles, begins and ends in the Peak District village of Great Longstone.  Great Longstone is located about a mile east of Monsal Head, gateway to one of Derbyshire’s best-loved tourist hot-spots, yet mysteriously manages to still be somewhat off the beaten-track.  If you have time, do explore this pretty village as there is much to see in terms of historic buildings, notably the magnificent hall and the sturdy-looking parish church of St Giles, which dates back to the 13th century. The church’s... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 30 January 2012 01:44PM

Peak District Walks - Walk from Birchover to the Hermit’s Cave and back I’d heard intriguing things about the Hermit’s Cave at Cratcliffe Tor and we used my partner’s birthday lunch in Birchover as an opportunity to visit this magical place. Starting at the Red Lion, Main Street, turn right out of the pub and walk down the street, heading west.  The main village street bears right, into The Mires. Don’t follow this but go straight on down the track ahead, which is a continuation of Main Street.  On the right is the Druid Inn, and above that is Rowtor.  This fascinating... Peak District Blog Posted on Monday, 30 January 2012 01:08PM

Peak District Walks - Les Singleton - Jack Frost nipping at our ears...... We LOVE low temp's, so we set off to Great Longstone, where the walk started. These fish seemed quite happy under the ice in a trough outside one of the village cottages. This impressive line of troughs was ice free, though. Probably because the water was running all the time. The wall surrounding the churchyard was a bit of a shock - it was in a TERRIBLE state. It really needs some care and attention.......... The first signs of spring, as usual - SNOWDROPS! It does the heart good to see the... Peak District Blog Posted on Friday, 20 January 2012 11:23AM