Peak District (Top 10 walks): The finest walks in the Peak District National Park (UK National Parks: Top 10 Walks)

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From Higgar, you can see Carl Wark a short distance to the south. The path that takes you there drops down at the southernmost point of the Tor. It’s pretty obvious, unless you are there in fog! Some of the tougher treks might require some more specialized gear, but mostly the walks in Peak District require just a basic kit that’ll keep you safe and happy.

The route follows old railway lines, footpaths, and a canal towpath. Embarking on this one also means seeing some of the urban fringes around Sheffield and Oldham, as well as the slopes of Cheshire and the moorlands of Staffordshire. Within the park itself and its immediate surroundings, there are also plenty of small towns and villages where you can crash. With pubs and bed-and-breakfasts, you’ll get a more local experience and one that feels that much more wholesome. Kinder Scout doesn’t sound like a tough trek at all —but trust us, it’s quite a challenge. The plateau sits at 636 meters above sea level, making it the highest point not just in the Peak District, but also in Derbyshire and the entire English East Midlands. This Pathfinder Guide makes the ideal companion for country walks throughout the Peak District. Clear and easy to follow directions are accompanied by detailed Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale maps and specially commissioned photographs. With 28 colour-coded routes to choose from, all tried and tested by seasoned walkers and varying from extended strolls to exhilarating hikes, there is a walk to suit all situations. We’ve carefully curated some of our favorite trails in this British national park, to make sure there’s something for just about every hiking ability. There are short strolls, bracing hill walks, mystical moorland adventures, and challenging multi-day treks.Personally, I prefer walking the path at the top of the Edge. This passes a gloomy looking quarry with some impressive and difficult climbs. If you have youngsters with you, please make sure that they are safe, particularly at the quarry, the ground at the top of the quarry walls is crumbly and loose in places, also slippery when wet.

Walking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities, and this guide to the Peak District features 50 mapped walks from 2 to 10 miles, to suit all abilities. Spend several days walking from pub to pub through spectacular landscapes, travelling slowly and gently on foot, which allows more time to savour the special qualities that make these areas unique. All walks have been plotted using Ordnance Survey online mapping tools. The main paper maps for the area are the OS Explorer Dark Peak OL1 and White Peak OL24. Harvey and the BMC Dark Peak maps are also useful. Always take a map and compass, even if you are using a GPS device. I have always found Cicerone guidebooks to be well produced with excellent introductions to the area in question and containing detailed descriptions of well-chosen walks. This new guide is no exception. The Great Ridge Walking Route, 2. Lud’s Church Trail, 3. The Boundary Walk, 4. Cromford Walking Route, 5. Woodland Explorer Walk, 6. Kinder Scout Loop, 7. Rushup Edge to Mam Tor Route, 8. The Wild Edges WalkThe guide introduces you to the area and highlights the most scenic walks. Each walk entry begins with a box giving start, distance, height gain, time, parking and route terrain. This is followed by a short overview highlighting the routes features. The main route finding instructions have paragraphs numbered corresponding to numbers on the OS map making navigation safe and easy. There are GPS references for all the route waypoints and the route is highlighted in yellow on the map. The guide also includes information on where to park, good pubs and places of interest along the route. Derbyshire County Council closed this path in May 2022 until at least April 2025. Motor vehicles are no longer allowed on that section of road. In view of the length of time and the precarious situation I have completely revised that section of the walk. This guidebook describes 35 circular walking routes in the Dark Peak - the wilder northern area of the Peak District distinguished by its dark gritstone. The walks range between 4 and 13.5 miles in length (6.5km to 22km), varying in terms of difficulty: some involve steep ascents and descents, uneven ground and pathless terrain, and demand a good level of navigational competence. The book also outlines 5 longer routes (3 linear; 2 circular) of 15.5 to 28 miles (25-45km) for those wishing to explore the area further, including a classic 'skyline' circuit of the Kinder Scout plateau. Detailed route description and 1:50,000 OS mapping are provided for each route, along with information on nearby points of interest and facilities.

From the Lord’s Seat, you descend onto the trail that winds along the ridge to Mam Tor itself, before making the short, steep ascent up the stone path to the summit. The scenery on all sides, including the Loose Hill at the far end of the ridge, makes the effort well worth it. Before you set off on your epic journey, take a moment to read through some of our tips and helpful safety advice: The latest book by acclaimed rambling scribe Mark Reid, it once again draws upon his extensive knowledge of the North Country's footpaths, historic villages and premiership boozers." As you would expect from Cicerone, each walk is clearly detailed including distance, terrain and local points of interest. Some walks are easy, some more challenging, providing a range of difficulties for all.

The Dark Peak is also well known among climbers for scrambling on the ‘Edges’, and in this guide of 41 routes, including Kinder Scout, the Wilderness Gullies and Bleaklow, there are scrambling routes suitable for all the year round. Lace up your hiking boots and exercise your own right to roam as you trundle along this particularly tough trek to the peak. It’s not too hard to follow, but it is definitely challenging in both length and incline. Uncover 28 beautiful circular walks around the Peak District with the OS Pathfinder Guidebooks, graded by length and ranging from 3 ½ to 11 ¼ miles.

In fact, Peak District was the UK’s first-ever national park, designated as such in 1951. The place was the stage of a famous mass protest in 1932, against the prohibition of hiking in its free open land. So, at this stage, you’re definitively clued up on all things Peak District. You know a bit of history, you know how to stay safe, and you have a rough idea of the wonders you have ahead of you…Each walk entry begins with at-a-glance details of distance, time, terrain, parking and public transport access where available. Clear route-finding instructions are provided together with simple overview coloured sketch maps, but OS Explorer map sheet numbers are also provided. The text also includes brief notes on features of interest along the way and there are colour photographs throughout.