The best of the Peak District on foot

The Peak District, tourist hotspot

The Peak District National Park is an amazing nature park in central and northern England. I just love it, and I’m not alone. The rest of England agrees with me. It attracts millions of visitors every year. It can therefore, get hectic, especially on national holidays and in the summer.

A great place to hike or cycle

The Peak District covers parts of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and South Yorkshire counties in England. The park has rolling hills, rocky gorges, vast swamps, picturesque villages, scenic valleys and limestone rock formations. In addition to breathtaking landscapes, the area has gorgeous country houses, medieval castles and prehistoric monuments.

Hence, it is a great place to hike, ride a horse or cycle. That is if you like steep, rocky trails.

Peak District accommodation

Picturesque Bakewell and Castleton are an excellent base for a few days of enjoying nature.

• The romantic Rafters Hotel in Bakewell is set in a beautiful location. The hotel serves a delicious breakfast.
• Serendipity Cottage in Castleton is a two-bedroom cottage with a garden, patio and private parking.

Peak District National Park trails

Peak District National Park has plenty of hiking opportunities, varying in difficulty and length.

Castleton to Mam Tor Circular Walk

This circular walk starts in Castleton to the top of Mam Tor, or Shivering Mountain, before returning via the Great Ridge. The distance from Castleton to Mam Tor via the Great Ridge is approximately nine kilometres and takes about three to four hours to complete, depending on walking pace and breaks along the way.

Dovedale kloof

Dovedale is famous for its scenic gorge and the River Dove. There are several walking routes along the river and through the gorge, including a popular route known as the Dovedale Stepping Stones Walk near the village of Thorpe in Derbyshire.

This route is best known for the iconic stepping stones that cross the River Dove. The walk is approximately six and a half kilometres long. The route is suitable for hikers of different levels. The walking route can be accessed via the car park at Thorpe Cloud. From there, you follow the walking path along the River Dove and eventually reach the famous stepping stones.

Strines Moor Ridge

The circular walk along Derwent Edge, a limestone ridge with impressive rock formations, including the famous Wheel Stones, is seven and a half miles (12.1 km), starting near Hope, Derbyshire. This walk takes an average of three and a half hours.

You will pass the Strines Reservoir, a picturesque reservoir surrounded by hills and forests and Strines Moor Ridge, a vast moorland landscape that turns beautiful purple, especially in late summer and autumn.

It starts and ends at Strines Inn in Bradfield Dale.

Stanage Edge

The Stanage Edge is an impressive limestone ridge. From here you have beautiful views. There are several hiking trails along the edge, with options for both short and long walks. Start in the village of Hathersage.

The Pennine Way

The Pennine Way is one of the best-known long-distance walking routes in the United Kingdom. It is a path that runs through the heart of England, from the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, through the Yorkshire Dales, across the North Pennines and ends in the Scottish Borders.

Accessibility Peak District National Park

Sheffield is close to the Peak District. Depending on the specific part of the Peak District you want to visit, it is 10 to 12 miles, and Manchester is 20 to 30 miles. At the same time, Derby is 40 to 50 km and Nottingham 60 to 80 km.

The Northern Hope Valley line

The Northern Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield passes through spectacular Peak District scenery. The train stops at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.

Manchester – Glossop line

To the west is the Manchester to Glossop line, providing access to the nearby Dark Peak moorlands and the Longdendale Valley, including the Goyt Valley and New Mills.

Manchester – Buxton line

From Manchester, take the bus to picturesque villages and valleys in the White Peak, including Bakewell.

East Midlands

To the south, the Derwent Valley Line runs from Derby to Matlock, from where regular bus services run to the White Peak, including the market town of Bakewell.

CrossCountry

CrossCountry Trains directly connect Birmingham in Bristol to Chesterfield or Sheffield. From here, buses run to the most popular destinations in the Peak District.

TransPennine Express

To the north is the Manchester-Huddersfield line, stopping at Greenfield and Marsden to access Dove Stones, the Wessenden Valley and the open moors.

View the different options by train.

Buses in the Peak District

Several bus companies, including Stagecoach and other local businesses, operate the bus network in the Peak District. Bus services vary depending on the route and area you want to explore. It is usually possible to buy tickets on the bus.

Payment options vary, but most buses allow you to pay in cash. Some buses also accept contactless payments, such as debit cards or smartphones.

Schedules may vary depending on the time of year and the specific route. The stops are usually in the city centre or close to major attractions.

Car

If you arrive by car, remember to pay for parking or expect a hefty fine. Even if not obvious to visitors, security cameras are often in place.

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