Peak Walking Adventures Guide, Richard Tower, suggests some hikes in the Peak District to stretch your legs without exhausting your budget…

“Join a Mass Trespass

Walk the Mass Trespass route following the footsteps of the 500 protesters who scaled Derbyshire’s 2000 foot plateau, Kinder Scout in 1932, to fight for public access onto private land.  This is a steep walk with stunning views from Kinder Downfall (a 100ft waterfall). Hayfield begins and ends your ‘trespass’, a picturesque village – finish with a pint at The Royal at Hayfield, an 18th century coaching Inn with great local ales.

Find the Bleaklow Bomber

Peak Moorland has been an unhappy landing for more than 150 planes; many are wrecks from WW2.  A tragic but impressive Wreck on Bleaklow is the B29 Superfortress ‘Overexposed’.  The US Air Force bomber crashed in mist in 1948 killing all 13 onboard and leaving a trail of engines, wings, and undercarriage as a sad memorial.  (Inexperienced walkers can get lost here, so a guide is a must). From Glossop, this walk offers wilderness too, with mountain hares, purple heather, and dramatic views over deep cloughs, towards the distant Welsh hills. 

Be Keira Knightley!

Derbyshire has been centre-stage in the so-called ‘battle of the bodices’, providing narrative settings in the Hope Valley for Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. You can walk from Hathersage onto the magnificent Stanage Edge and take a picture from ‘Keira Knightley’ rock.  This is the stunning viewpoint where Keira, playing Lizzie Bennett, dreamed of Mr Darcy in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice.  Look out for the 200 ft fountain at Chatsworth House down the valley (Darcy’s fictional home).

Visit the Plague Village

Visit Eyam, the plague village of 1666, where the community went into lockdown after a bolt of fabric from London carried fleas and infected local people with bubonic plague.  See the house where the infection started, visit the Riley Graves where one woman buried her whole family.  You could head up to the Barrel Inn at Bretton and take a stroll up Sir William Hill – good food and great views abound here.

Find a Quiet Corner

Carsington Water has so many attractions and a ’round of the res’ by bike, on foot, or by mobility scooter is a must.  But the surrounding hills are quiet gems if you want to get away.  Nearby the old mining villages of Brassington and Carsington are linked by an old track with stunning views, 500 foot above the reservoir – an hour’s walk with pubs for lunch. Try the Miners Arms Carsington, Miners Arms Brassington, or The Old Gate Inne, Brassington.

Take the Train

Finding a parking space at peak times can be stressful and time consuming, and expensive – have you thought about taking a train?

Direct trains from Sheffield and Manchester go to Edale train station in the heart of the Hope Valley, set amongst giant hills. From here, keen walkers and families can walk along the Great Ridge via the stunning summit of Mam Tor to Hope. Hop back on the train and head home without the hassle of parking and knowing you’ve done your bit to reduce your carbon footprint.”

For information about our Guided Walks visit: www.peakwalking.com

We also offer a number of wellbeing and team walks for Corporate or Private Guided Walk Groups. If you would like to find out more, do contact us