Peak District Walks: Your Complete Guide
The Peak District National Park is a walker’s paradise, with hundreds of miles of footpaths, bridleways, and traffic-free trails winding through some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll along a river valley or a challenging hike across a windswept moor, the Peak District has something for every ability.
As Britain’s first National Park, the Peak District has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding walking. The variety of landscapes – from limestone dales to gritstone edges, from reservoirs to moorlands – means that no two walks are ever the same.
Quick Links to Walking Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monsal Trail | 8.5 miles | Easy | Families, cyclists, wheelchair users |
| Tissington Trail | 13 miles | Easy | Families, cyclists, long walks |
| High Peak Trail | 17 miles | Easy-Moderate | Cyclists, walkers, history lovers |
| Manifold Way | 8 miles | Easy | Families, nature lovers, cyclists |
| Stanage Edge | 4 miles | Moderate | Walkers, photographers |
| Froggatt Edge Walk | 8 miles | Moderate | Serious walkers, photographers |
| Dragon’s Back Walk | 4 miles | Moderate | Ridge walkers, adventurers |
| Ladybower Walk | 5.5 miles | Easy | Families, reservoir walks |
| Mam Tor | 2 miles | Easy-Moderate | Everyone, iconic views |
| Kinder Scout | 8 miles | Moderate-Challenging | Serious hikers |
| Wyming Brook | 2 miles | Easy | Woodland walks, nature lovers |
| Padley Gorge | 2-3 miles | Easy-Moderate | Woodland walks, families |
Traffic-Free Trails
The Peak District is blessed with several spectacular traffic-free trails that are perfect for walkers, cyclists, runners, and wheelchair users. These former railway lines have been converted into multi-use paths, offering gentle gradients and stunning views.
Monsal Trail
The Monsal Trail runs for 8.5 traffic-free miles from Bakewell to Chee Dale through the glorious White Peak countryside. It is flat, level and well-maintained, making it perfect for walkers, cyclists, runners, horse-riders and wheelchair-users alike.
The trail passes through several tunnels and offers spectacular views over the River Wye and the surrounding limestone dales. The tunnels have been lit to make them safe and accessible, adding to the sense of adventure.
The trail connects several beautiful spots, including the towns of Bakewell and the picturesque village of Ashford-in-the-Water. It’s a wonderful way to see the heart of the White Peak.
Monsal Trail Highlights:
- 8.5 traffic-free miles
- Accessible for all abilities
- Passes through illuminated tunnels
- Spectacular Wye Valley views
- Connects Bakewell to Chee Dale
The Monsal Trail is perfect for: families, cyclists, wheelchair users, runners, and anyone wanting an easy but spectacular walk.
Read more about the Monsal Trail →
Tissington Trail
The Tissington Trail runs for 13 traffic-free miles from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne, following the route of the former railway line between Buxton and Ashbourne. It winds through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Peak District.
The trail passes through the charming villages of Tissington and Parwich. Tissington is particularly famous for its ancient wells and beautiful duck pond, making it a perfect spot for a break.
Tissington Trail Highlights:
- 13 traffic-free miles
- Beautiful White Peak scenery
- Passes through Tissington and Parwich
- Gentle gradients
- Perfect for long walks and cycling
The Tissington Trail is perfect for: cyclists, walkers wanting a longer route, families, and anyone wanting to explore the southern White Peak.
Read more about the Tissington Trail →
High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail offers 17 miles of almost traffic-free bliss, stretching between Dowlow near Buxton and High Peak Junction near Cromford. It follows the route of the former High Peak Railway Line and runs through stunning limestone countryside and rolling hills.
The trail passes close to the ancient site of Minninglow, a fascinating burial site with Neolithic chambered tombs hidden among a distinctive ring of beech trees. It’s a wonderful way to combine walking with history.
High Peak Trail Highlights:
- 17 traffic-free miles
- Stunning limestone scenery
- Passes close to Minninglow
- Varied landscapes
- Excellent for cycling and walking
The High Peak Trail is perfect for: serious walkers, cyclists, history enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to see a wide variety of Peak District scenery.
Read more about the High Peak Trail →
Manifold Way
The Manifold Way is a traffic-free trail that runs for 8 miles through stunning countryside in the Staffordshire Peak District between Hulme End and Waterhouses. Following the former route of the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway, it follows the course of the River Manifold through the Manifold Valley.
The trail passes below Thor’s Cave, a magnificent natural cavern with a huge arched entrance set in a limestone crag. It’s a wonderful combination of easy walking and spectacular geology.
Manifold Way Highlights:
- 8 traffic-free miles
- Beautiful Manifold Valley scenery
- Passes below Thor’s Cave
- Gentle gradients
- Perfect for families and nature lovers
The Manifold Way is perfect for: families, nature lovers, cyclists, and anyone wanting to explore the Staffordshire Peak District.
Read more about the Manifold Way →
Ridge Walks with Spectacular Views
For those seeking more challenging terrain, the Peak District’s gritstone edges offer some of the best walking in the country.
Stanage Edge
Stanage Edge is a stunning gritstone escarpment north of Hathersage, running for almost four miles and rising to 458 metres at its highest point.
It’s the absolute epitome of the Dark Peak, offering unsurpassed views of the Hope Valley. In warmer months, its slopes are softened by blooming purple heathers and bright bracken. Here and there are abandoned millstones, harking back to the industrial past of this area.
Stanage Edge is also a world-famous climbing destination, with hundreds of routes for climbers of all abilities.
Stanage Edge Highlights:
- Almost 4 miles of ridge walking
- Unsurpassed Hope Valley views
- Abandoned millstones
- World-famous climbing destination
- Heather and bracken in summer
Stanage Edge is perfect for: walkers, photographers, climbers, and anyone wanting to experience the wild beauty of the Dark Peak.
Read more about Stanage Edge →
Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edges Walk
The Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edge Walk is an 8-mile walk that takes you along all three edges with wide vistas of the stunning Derwent Valley laid out below.
For a walk along some of the finest gritstone edges in the Derbyshire Peak District, it’s hard to beat this route. The edges are linked by field paths and quiet lanes, with plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the views.
Froggatt Edge Walk Highlights:
- 8-mile route
- Three spectacular edges
- Derwent Valley views
- Varied walking terrain
- Excellent for serious walkers
Froggatt Edge Walk is perfect for: serious walkers, photographers, and anyone wanting to experience the best of Derbyshire’s gritstone edges.
Read more about the Froggatt Edge Walk →
Dragon’s Back Walk
The Dragon’s Back Walk starts and ends in the pretty little hamlet of Hollinsclough, taking you along field paths and country lanes with magnificent views over the wild Staffordshire hills.
The route brings you along the crest of one half of the famous ‘Dragon’s Back’, over the top of Chrome Hill (425m) with panoramic views over the wide valley, including a spectacular view of Parkhouse Hill ahead.
Dragon’s Back Walk Highlights:
- Spectacular ridge walking
- Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill views
- Staffordshire moorland scenery
- Challenging but rewarding
- Perfect for adventurous walkers
The Dragon’s Back Walk is perfect for: experienced walkers, photographers, and anyone wanting a challenging ridge walk.
Read more about the Dragon’s Back Walk →
The Roaches
The Roaches is a stunning gritstone ridge that rises up from moorland close to Leek in Staffordshire. At its highest point the ridge reaches 505m and provides spectacular views over Staffordshire, Cheshire and even into Lancashire and Wales.
It’s a great place to spend a day in the great outdoors, with more than 975 acres of rocky upland to explore, providing a perfect playground for walkers and climbers.
The Roaches Highlights:
- Stunning gritstone ridge
- Views over three counties
- 505m at highest point
- Perfect for walkers and climbers
- 975 acres to explore
The Roaches is perfect for: walkers, climbers, photographers, and anyone wanting to experience one of Staffordshire’s most spectacular landscapes.
Hill & Reservoir Walks
Ladybower Reservoir Walk
The Ladybower Reservoir Walk is a 5.5-mile circular walk around one of three reservoirs in the beautiful Upper Derwent Valley.
It’s a great way to spend a day, especially with a picnic or a meal at the nearby Yorkshire Bridge Inn afterwards. The walk offers stunning views over the water and the surrounding hills.
Ladybower Reservoir Walk Highlights:
- 5.5-mile circular walk
- Beautiful reservoir views
- Upper Derwent Valley scenery
- Picnic-friendly route
- Accessible for most abilities
Ladybower Reservoir Walk is perfect for: families, dog walkers, photographers, and anyone wanting a gentle walk with spectacular views.
Read more about the Ladybower Reservoir Walk →
Dove Stone Reservoir Walk
The Dove Stone Reservoir Walk is a 4-mile walk that gives you a great taste of the countryside in the far north west of the Peak District.
It takes you briefly into the Chew Hills and the moors of Dove Stone Moss and then returns for an easy circuit of the lovely reservoir, with fabulous open views of this wonderful area.
Dove Stone Reservoir Walk Highlights:
- 4-mile circular walk
- Moorland and reservoir scenery
- Spectacular open views
- Perfect for families
- Easy to follow route
Dove Stone Reservoir Walk is perfect for: families, nature lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting to explore the northern Peak District.
Read more about the Dove Stone Reservoir Walk →
Mam Tor
Mam Tor – literally meaning ‘Mother Hill’ – is an iconic peak just outside Castleton. The views from the top are well worth the walk – taking in the whole of the Hope Valley on one side and the whole of the Edale Valley on the other.
The walk to the summit is steep but relatively short, making it accessible for most visitors. The path is well-maintained and offers gradually unfolding views that get more spectacular with every step.
Mam Tor Highlights:
- Iconic Peak District peak
- Spectacular valley views
- Accessible walk
- Perfect for all ages
- Stunning photography opportunities
Mam Tor is perfect for: everyone – from families to serious hikers and anyone wanting to see the best views in the Peak District.
Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout at 2,087 feet high is the highest point in the Peak District National Park. Walking to the summit from Edale takes the traveller through a huge variation in landscape and perfectly illustrates the diversity of the Peak District.
The views from its edges are awe-inspiring in the truest sense of the words. The plateau is a wild, unforgiving place, but the rewards for those who make the effort are immense.
Kinder Scout Highlights:
- Highest point in the Peak District (2,087ft)
- Awe-inspiring views
- Varied landscape
- Challenging but rewarding walk
- Start from Edale
Kinder Scout is perfect for: serious hikers, experienced walkers, and anyone wanting to stand on the highest point in the Peak District.
Read more about Kinder Scout →
Woodland Walks
Wyming Brook
Wyming Brook is a beautiful wooded ravine on the edge of the Peak District in Yorkshire. It’s a perfect spot for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those who want to escape the hustle and bustle.
Wander among the trees and discover a clear brook tumbling over mossy stones and part-submerged tree roots, criss-crossed by a series of picturesque wooden footbridges. It’s a stunning place to explore at any time of the year.
Wyming Brook Highlights:
- Beautiful wooded ravine
- Tumbling waterfalls
- Wooden footbridges
- Perfect for photography
- Peaceful and atmospheric
Wyming Brook is perfect for: photographers, nature lovers, couples seeking a peaceful walk, and anyone wanting to explore a hidden gem.
Read more about Wyming Brook →
Padley Gorge
Padley Gorge is a beautiful wooded ravine with ancient trees, tumbling waterfalls, and a clear stream. It’s a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, recognised as “the best example of the remnant oak and birch woodland that once covered much of the edges of the gritstone uplands of the Peak District.”
The walking here is wonderful, with paths following the stream through the gorge. The twisted shapes of the ancient trees create an almost magical atmosphere.
Padley Gorge Highlights:
- Ancient oak and birch woodland
- Site of Special Scientific Interest
- Tumbling waterfalls
- Magical atmosphere
- Excellent photography opportunities
Padley Gorge is perfect for: nature lovers, photographers, families, and anyone wanting to experience a magical woodland walk.
Read more about Padley Gorge →
Themed Walks
Pub Walk
The Pub Walk combines a bracing walk with a hearty meal and a local tipple at one of the Peak District’s many marvellous pubs.
From cosy, two-roomed country inns to luxury gastro pubs, the Peak District has a pub to suit every taste. And what better way to set yourself up for the best day out than with a bracing walk followed by a hearty meal and a local tipple?
Pub Walk Highlights:
- Scenic countryside walks
- Historic Peak District pubs
- Hearty meals and local ales
- Combined walk and reward
- Perfect for groups
Pub Walk is perfect for: couples, groups of friends, food lovers, and anyone who appreciates a good walk followed by a good meal.
Read more about the Pub Walk →
Kids’ Walks
Kids’ Walks are shorter routes with plenty of kid-friendly distractions, including caves, streams, rope swings and trees to climb.
We believe that it’s hugely important to get the younger generation enjoying the great outdoors, and the Peak District offers fantastic opportunities to spark their interest. These walks are written specifically with kids in mind.
Kids’ Walk Highlights:
- Shorter routes for little legs
- Caves to explore
- Streams to paddle
- Rope swings to play on
- Trees to climb
Kids’ Walks are perfect for: families with young children, schools, and anyone wanting to introduce children to the joys of walking.
Plan Your Walking Day Out
What to Bring:
- Walking boots or sturdy shoes
- Waterproof jacket (the Peak District weather can change quickly)
- Map and compass or GPS
- Water and snacks
- Sunscreen on sunny days
Safety:
- Check the weather forecast before you set out
- Let someone know your route and expected return time
- Keep to the marked paths
- Carry a fully charged phone
- Be aware of livestock on the fells
Parking:
- Most trails have car parks at key points
- Arrive early on busy weekends
- Some car parks are pay-and-display
- Consider using public transport where available
Dog-Friendly:
- Most Peak District trails are dog-friendly
- Keep dogs on leads during lambing season
- Clean up after your dog
Explore More Peak District Guides
Looking for more inspiration? Visit our other guides:
- Castleton Visitor Guide
- Dovedale & White Peak Villages Guide
- Peak District Walking Trails Guide
- Stately Homes & Castles Guide
- Peak District Family Attractions Guide
- Peak District Ancient Sites Guide
Walking in the Peak District: A World of Discovery
Whether you’re a serious hiker, a casual walker, or a family with young children, the Peak District’s walking trails offer something for everyone. From the traffic-free routes of the former railway lines to the dramatic ridges of the gritstone edges, every walk offers something new.
The Peak District is a walker’s paradise, and once you’ve walked here, you’ll understand why it was chosen as Britain’s first National Park. Plan your walking day out today and discover the beauty of the Peak District on foot.
Footnotes
- Monsal Trail: Read full guide →
- Tissington Trail: Read full guide →
- High Peak Trail: Read full guide →
- Manifold Way: Read full guide →
- Stanage Edge: Read full guide →
- Froggatt Edge Walk: Read full guide →
- Dragon’s Back Walk: Read full guide →
- The Roaches: Read full guide →
- Ladybower Reservoir Walk: Read full guide →
- Dove Stone Reservoir Walk: Read full guide →
- Mam Tor: Read full guide →
- Kinder Scout: Read full guide →
- Wyming Brook: Read full guide →
- Padley Gorge: Read full guide →
- Pub Walk: Read full guide →
- Riverside Walk: Read full guide →
- Kids’ Walks: Read full guide →
