Six Day Self-Guided Pilgrimage Walk & Accommodation
The Peak Wesley Way is a six-day, self-guided route with chapel accomodation that offers a unique way to experience the stunning Derbyshire landscape. It connects six rural chapels stretching from the limestone plateaus of the White Peak up to the gritstone edges of the Dark Peak.
The route starts in the popular town of Matlock and finishes in Edale, both of which have railway stations thereby allowing easy access by public transport, a move much appreciated by locals as a form of green tourism; sharing their wonderful countryside and benefiting local businesses but avoiding the need to bring extra cars into the Peak District.
This journey is designed for small groups of one to six people and is open to those of all faiths and those with no faith at all that simply want to experience this rewarding experience. It costs just £195 per person for the six days, which is fabulous price for such a wonderful adventure in The Peak District.
You will cover roughly ten miles each day, moving from one chapel to the next while carrying everything you need on your back. It’s the perfect challenge for families, friends, or solo walkers looking for a little headspace and plenty of fresh air.
The Peak Wesley Way starts in the popular town of Matlock and finishes in Edale. In this contemporary take on the ancient practice of pilgrimage, you will follow the same tracks and paths that farmers, miners, and travellers have used for centuries, with lots of informative facts provided in your guide along the way. It’s perfect for those searching for peace, maybe a test of faith, or just a genuine escape from the noise of modern life. You’ll get to see the breathtaking hills, valleys, and waterways of The Peak District at a leisurely pace.
By the time you reach the final chapel, the landscape has changed completely from the gentle dales to the rugged ridges of the north.
Sanctuary in the Chapels
The accommodation along The Peak Wesley Way is as unique as the walk itself!
Each night, your group has exclusive access to all or part of a Methodist chapel. These fabulous buildings are still active places of worship, meaning you are sleeping in the heart of local village life. You can arrive from 4pm and have until 9:30am the next morning to soak up the atmosphere. Most nights you will be met by a local volunteer who will show you the ropes and hand over the keys. The chapels are clean and comfortable, with sturdy camp beds in the main body of the chapel or a quiet side room.
Every chapel is equipped with the basics you need to recover from a 10-mile hike. There are toilets and showers at every stop, along with a microwave, kettle, and toaster. You don’t have to worry about the morning caffeine fix, as complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and milk are provided, along with fruit and porridge sachets for breakfast. It’s purposely a modest setup that honours the history of the ordinary people who founded these spaces to bring good news to their communities.
The experience is priced affordably to make it accessible to as many people as possible and there is a 50% concessionary discount for children, students, and those on statutory benefits when booking for two or more people
To make the most of your stay, you’ll need to pack light but smart! You will need to take your own sleeping bag, clothes, a towel and basic toiletries. You will be responsible for your own packed lunches and evening meals, so the local village shops along the way are perfect to pick up your lunches and microwaveable evening meals. Or of course, you can always visit one of the many local cafes and pubs for hearty breakfast or a well-deserved meal or drink.
A Journey Through the Heart of the Peaks
The Peak Wesley Way’s itinerary takes you through some of the most iconic landmarks in the region. Each day brings a new village and a new perspective on the hills.
Day 1 – Matlock to Youlgreave
The walk begins in Matlock, an historical spa town which is now a popular tourist destination with lots of shops and eateries, through to Winster an ancient village, mentioned in the Domesday Book, again, with a handy village shop and village pub. From there, the trail continues to Youlgreave, another beautiful, historical village that sits above the River Bradford with beautiful valleys with crystal clear waters and Lathkill Dale, which many locals consider the most beautiful valley in the region. If you are hungry by the time you arrive, there are two pubs in Youlgreave serving classic pub grub that hits the spot after a long day’s walk.
Day 2 – Youlgrave to Great Longstone
From Youlgreave, the trail heads towards Great Longstone via Bakewell, “the ancient capital of the Peak District”, famed for its Original Bakewell Pudding. This picturesque market town has lots of historic interest and eateries that will fuel you for the afternoon. Leaving the town behind, you follow the paths toward Great Longstone, a quiet and pretty village that sits right under the shelter of Longstone Edge. It is a classic limestone village with a traditional village green and a very relaxed pace. For your evening meal, there are two lovely village pubs and a village shop to restock. This leg of the journey takes you from the busy riverside shops of the town deep into the calm of the White Peak’s farming heartland via the Monsal Trail and impressive Monsal Viaduct, one of the most photographed spots in England!
Day 3 – Great Longstone to Baslow
From the quiet lanes of Great Longstone, the route heads toward the gritstone edges via Calver, another pretty, historic village mentioned in the Domesday book, now home to a craft centre, gift shop and pub with riverside garden and cafe. Leaving the river behind, you make your way toward Baslow on the edge of the Chatsworth Estate, and a bridge dating back to 1603! This stretch of the Peak Wesley Way marks the transition where the limestone of the White Peak starts giving way to the dark, moody edges of the north. Here you will also find cafes and pubs to refuel before your next adventure.
Day 4 – Baslow to Hathersage
Moving into the Dark Peak, this stretch takes you along the gritstone ridges of Baslow, Froggatt and Curbar, with spectacular views over the Hope Valley on to Hathersage, a village linked to the legends of Robin Hood and Jane Eyre. Today it is a hub for climbers and walkers with a fabulous deli to pick up supplies, shops to browse, cafes to enjoy coffee and cake, and pubs to reward yourself with a hearty meal.
Day 5 – Hathersage to Castleton
Leaving the climbing hub of Hathersage, the route turns toward the dramatic heart of the Hope Valley. This stretch offers some of the most iconic views in the National Park such as Mam Tor as you approach the village of Castleton. Known as the “Gem of the Peak,” Castleton is famous for its four unique show caverns and the striking ruins of Peveril Castle, which has guarded the pass since 1076. The village is a bustling spot with a lot of character and plenty of places to refuel.
Day 6 – Castleton to Edale
The final leg takes you on a short climb to Edale, which is not only the end of the Peak Wesley Way, but also the end and the start of the Pennine Way. Finishing your pilgrimage here, with the treat of a drink or cake from one of the two tea rooms, feels like a proper achievement.
Why Walk the Peak Wesley Way?
The Peak Wesley Way isn’t just another hiking holiday. It is a chance to live simply for a week. There is something grounding about carrying your world on your back and finding sanctuary in a quiet chapel at the end of the day. You are following in the footsteps of travelling clergy and local preachers, who walked or rode horses in the days before paved roads, to reach these villages because they had something important to say.
The Peak Wesley Way gives you the space to think. You get to see the Peak District without the filter of a car window or the distraction of a hotel television. It is affordable, it is challenging, and it is deeply rewarding. Whether you are looking for a spiritual connection or just a long walk with good friends, this route offers a perspective on the Peaks that you simply cannot get any other way. Book your spot, pack your bag, and come see why people have been making these journeys for hundreds of years.
Guidebooks, journals and Peak Wesley Way pins to wear are posted to pilgrims when booking to stay in the accommodation. Pilgirms can collect stamps in their journals at each chapel and at the end they will receive a Completion Certificate.
Contact The Peak Wesley Way
To find out more about this unforgetable journey and book your memorable pilgrimage, please contact the team at The Peak Wesley Way.
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