Ed Roberts
10 December 2019
Mountains tower over the rugged and unforgettable landscape of the Peak District and provide a scenic escape for walkers and ramblers to get up high and forget their worries.
Climbing requires a lot of problem solving and mental concentration which not only sharpens the brain but motivates the endorphins in your body to get going. The feelgood factor of hillwalking is what makes people do it over and over again, not to mention the feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top. Mountain climbing combines exploration with exercise and is often so fun that you forget the exercise part all together!
Holidays are all about breaking free from the day-to-day and retreating to a beautiful destination, the Peak District is just that: a scenic landscape perfect for gaining some breathing space. The best place to admire the landscape is of course from the top of a hill, so we’ve gathered a few of our favourites that you can visit to discover incredible panoramas that will take your breath away.
Kinder Scout
Climb the highest peak in the Peak district for remarkable views…
The highest point in the Peak District is Kinder Scout, a moorland plateau with an unforgettable panorama of the surrounding landscape. It’s also home to Kinder Downfall on River Kinder, the tallest waterfall in the Peak District with a 30-metre drop, so make sure you pass it on your way up to the top.
This mountain is worth the climb simply for the view! The sense of achievement when you reach the top of this treasure will make your holiday and you can capture some fabulous photos when you’re this high up. When you finally get to the top of this incredible mountain give yourself a moment, take a breath and just take it all in. This amazing peak is well worth your effort.
Ascent: 625m
- Level: Moderate. If you take the classic trail from Edale the route will take about 4-5 hours.
- Nearest village: West of Edale in the Peak District National Park.
- Stay nearby: Kinder Cottage | Sleeps 4 | 1 dog welcome
The Shivering Mountain (Mam Tor)
Take the family on a meander up Mam Tor, one of the prettiest peaks…
Climb this hilltop for incredible views of Hope Valley, which is perhaps one of the most photographed regions in the National Park due to its beautiful landscape. Make sure you take your camera so you can take some snapshots yourself.
The Shivering Mountain means ‘mother hill’ and this peak has acquired its name due to the frequent landslides which have created a series of mini-hills beneath it. Make a visit to Blue John Cavern or Treak Cliff Cavern, or choose to venture along Winnats Pass, a particularly popular walking route that will take you past fabulous scenic panoramas.
Ascent: 200m
- Level: Easy. Mam Tor Circular trail is great for nearly any level of hiker and will take between 1-2 hours.
- Nearest village: South of Edale in the Peak District National Park.
- Stay nearby: The Edge | sleeps 8 | 2 dogs welcome
Win Hill and Ladybower Reserve
Admire the views at the top of this mountain in Derbyshire…
Another mountain with an incredible view, one which many consider to be one of the finest views in the Peaks - Win Hill, allows you a panorama across the scenic landscape and the magnificent Ladybower Reserve - a must-visit for walkers and ramblers.
A direct route from Yorkshire Bridge takes you up the steep and slippery slope of Parkin’s Clough, it’s a particularly challenging climb, although there are plenty of more moderate walks you can choose from to reach the peak of this magnificent mountain. Whatever the level, everyone can enjoy this great hill.
Ascent: 462m
- Level: Moderate. Win Hill is commonly ascended from Yorkshire Bridge or Hope. /hope-cottages
- Nearest village: Hope in the Peak District National Park
- Stay nearby: Bobbin Cottage | sleeps 4
Thorpe Cloud
Enjoy a day out in the Peak District hills…
Located at the edge of Dovedale, it’s a popular mountain (it’s actually a limestone hill, but for the sake of this list we’d like to pretend it’s a mountain). This ‘mountain’ is an excellent choice for a family day trip due to the easy routes up to the summit, so head there and make the climb for a great vantage point of the surrounding region.
This landmark is particularly magnificent as a peculiar phenomenon takes place here at certain times of the year, a double sunset. By standing at the top of nearby hill, Lin Dale, you can see the sun appear to set twice behind Thorpe Cloud. The sun goes down, then mysteriously reappears before dropping back down again.
Ascent: 287m
- Level: Moderate. It provides a fine viewpoint north up the dale and south across the Midland plain.
- Nearest village: Dovedale
- Stay nearby: Thorpe Green | sleeps 9
Higger Tor and Burbage Rocks
Spend an afternoon on one of the best mountain walks in the Peak District…
The iconic Peak District summit, Higger Tor, towers over the landscape of the Burbage Valley. From this mountain, you can also spot the prehistoric hillfort at Carl Wark. There are claims that Carl Wark means ‘The Old Man’s Fort’ in Old Norse, with ‘Old Man’ referring to the devil. Enjoy three hours of bliss as you potter through the countryside at whatever pace you like, taking in all the views.
Walk to the summit of this phenomenal landmark and find yourself surrounded by an ancient and mysterious landscape. The walk should only take half a day meaning you can plan a nice slap up meal in a Peak District pub to refuel an re-energize before your next adventure.
Ascent: 182m
- Level: Easy. The walk crosses some wild moorland and includes the well known rocky viewpoint of Higger Tor and takes about 3 hours.
- Nearest village: Dovedale
- Stay nearby: Glen House | sleeps 6 | 2 dogs welcome
Once you reach the summit of any of these hill climbs you will be met with scenery you’ll never forget. For more incredible views take a look at our top five views in the Peaks, and if you have a head for heights try our post about the highest points in the Peak District. If you have a head for heights try our post about the highest points in the Peak District.
We invite you to explore the most challenging hikes in the Peak District whilst staying in a wonderful holiday cottage.
If we’ve inspired you to take a trip to this magnificent region and see the spectacular views for yourself, take a look through our collection of cottages in the Peak District and discover the perfect place for a break. We have everything from family-friendly holiday homes and romantic retreats for two to dog-friendly pads with plenty of garden space.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.