Walking in the Peak District

Walk the Trails

Snaking their way across the White Peak limestone plateau are the now green scars of several disused railway lines which were all considerable feats of civil engineering in this difficult hilly country. Since they fell victims to the famous Beeching axe they have been converted to recreational use for walking, cycling or riding.

The first lines to be converted were the former Ashbourne to Buxton route which became known as the Tissington Trail, and the Cromford and High Peak route, which is now called the High Peak Trail. The Monsal Trail along the line of the former Midland Railway followed in 1980.

In the south west of the Park, Staffordshire County Council has provided a similar facility along the line of the former Leek and Manifold light railway, which was primarily built to serve the isolated farming communities on the hills above, but only operated for thirty years.

Walk the Dales

The White Peak is the name given to the limestone outcrop which forms the central core of the Peak National Park. This lofty plateau of limestone was formed from the fossilised remains of sea creatures which existed in a warm, tropical sea some 300 million years ago.

The plateau is split by the deep gorge-like fissures of the dales. These dales, like Dovedale, Monsal Dale and Lathkill Dale are among the few Peak landscapes which have been left entirely untouched by man. On the steep rocky faces of their sides are found some of the rarest and most beautiful plants and insects in the Park. The dales were formed by melt water from Ice Age glaciers cutting down through the permeable limestone.

Walk the Hills

The place names of the Dark Peak give a clue to the forbidding nature of the terrain Bleaklow, Black Hill and Kinder Scout. The millstone grit moors of the Dark Peak enclose the limestone plateau from the north. The summit of the National Park is Kinder Scout at 2088 feet. Kinder is the first hurdle on the 250 mile Pennine Way, which starts for most people on the formal log bridge in Edale.

These inhospitable moors were the scene of the famous access battles of the 1930s, when ramblers from the neighbouring cities of Manchester and Sheffield trespassed over the private grouse moors to exercise their rights to roam. These people played no small part in the campaign for National Parks which resulted in the creation of the Peak National Park in 1951. Nowadays, 76 square miles of Dark Peak moorlands, are covered by special access agreements negotiated between the National Park authorities and landowners.

Recommended Walks

Tissington and Parwich
A lovely walk across the limestone tops between the two villages and down through the Bletch Book. Start at the seventeenth century Hall in Tissington and finish at Parwich church.

Ilam Hall
Tucked away on a bend of the Manifold River Ilam village was built in the 1830s on the instructions of Jesse Watts Russell. Start the walk by following the Riverside Terrace where 17th century dramatist Congreve wrote part of his comedy The Old Bachelor and then climb above Ilam Woods. Beyond the walk joins the abandoned Turnpike Road from Cheadle (Staffs) to South Yorkshire via Blore, Caldwell Bridge and Thorpe.

Dovedale
Most visitors arriving at the lower reaches of Dovedale (Izaak Walton Hotel) are content with a short stroll beyond the stepping stones at the mouth of the dale. Scenically delightful though this may be, it is only a mere hint of the attractions further upstream like Reynards Cave and Twelve Apostles Rocks.

Millers Dale
Start at the station car park and walk up Marks Dale and round to Wormhill. Spectacular views of the twin viaducts that once carried powerful steam locomotives of the Midland line along Monsal Dale from London St. Pancras to Manchester. The line closed in the 1960s and is now known as the Monsal Trail. The walking trail is from Bakewell to Millers Dale and although tunnels once blocked the Millers Dale and Monsal Head viaducts, so noted by the poet Ruskin, they remain open for pedestrian use.

Hartington and the Dales
Hartington has always been a busy and famous village. Literary giants such as Dr Johnson and Byron came to admire the beauties of Dovedale and at nearby Beresford Hall, Izaak Walton wrote The Compleat Angler in the 17th century. From Hartington you can enjoy walks down Biggin Dale, Beresford Dale and Wolfscote Dale and dont forget to visit the Stilton cheese factory in the heart of the village.

Youlgreave and the Lathkill Dale
The walk begins in the old lead mining village of Youlgreave and you can decide to take the Bradford Dale up to Middleton or walk in the opposite direction down the Lathkill past Conksbury Bridge and Over Haddon. Youlgreaves historic church is well worth a visit it is renowned for both its Norman fort and its bell ringing. An annual well dressing celebration marks Youlgreaves appreciation for the gift of pure water unusual on the dry limestone plateaux.

Hill Walks

Kinder Scout
The summit of the National Park.

Castleton
is popular with thousands of visitors who come each year to visit its caves and climb the steep slope of the castle. The best walk leaves Castleton by an almost hidden route and climbs to the limestone upwards along the bed of a collapsed cave. Mam Tor dramatically marks the change from limestone to the gritstone and shales of the Dark Peak. The massive earthworks of the Iron Age Fort can still be traced at its summit and breathtaking views can be enjoyed of Kinder Scout and Winnats Pass.

Stanton Moor
This isolated gritstone moorland plateau played host to a substantial population in Bronze Age times. The community built five stone circles, and at best seventy burial mounds can be found scattered around the heather moors. The walks start and finish in Birchover where there are two hospitable inns.

Langsett
A major part of the walk enjoys the shade of pine trees lining the banks of the Langsett Reservoir. The walk starts and finishes at the picnic site at the side of the A616 on the outskirts of Langsett village where you can end up at the Waggon and Horses Inn.

Winn Hill
Start in the centre of Hope village and move out along the Edale road. A steep climb from lush farmland is rewarded by a long heather covered ridgewalk with a fine view point over much of the Peak District.

Lads Leap
This moorland walk is along a rocky escarpment high above Manchesters water supply in the Longendendale Valley, an ideal introduction to the wild moors of the northern section of the Dark Peak. The walk starts at the abandoned level crossing on the B6105 Glossop to Woodhead road.

Froggatt Edge
This is a walk full of contrasts and interest. Starting near the mouth of the longest and still used railway tunnel in the Peak District, it possesses some of the most natural woodland in the region. Access to the start of the walk is by the B6521 below the Fox House Inn on the A625 there is parking available on the side lane to Grindleford station.

Goyt Moss
This is a high moorland walk around Burbage Edge and overlooking Buxton. The walk starts in the narrow wooded upper reaches of the Goyt valley and climbs the heather moor of Goyt Moss. Access is by the one way system along the Goyt valley.

Teggs Nose
Starting in an area of abandoned gritstone quarries, two miles east of Macclesfield, the walk crosses a deep valley and returns by way of Macclesfield Forest. Approach via the Old Macclesfield road signposted off the A537. Guided walks leave the car park information centre.