The Peak District is where we first fell in love with hiking. Even now, after enjoying countless Peak District hiking trails over the years, whether it’s a big hitter or quieter route, these are the ones that always deliver.
We both have family who live close by and as a result we’re lucky that we regularly get to spend plenty of time hiking in this beautiful area and have come to know the park very well.
Unlike a lot of generic lists, we’re going to share with you the 14 best hikes in the Peak District we’ve actually walked ourselves. Every route is one we’ve enjoyed multiple times, and we’ll also share maps, info and tips that have made a difference for us.
The Peak District spans Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. Combined with this and the fact that it was the UK’s first National Park (founded in 1951), its history and breadth provides so many varying landscapes to explore.
From the limestone valleys of the White Peak to the brooding and dramatic gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, we often feel like this contrast can feel like exploring two different National Parks on one trip. If you live nearby, this can give you a great sense of variety!
The great thing is, there’s something for everyone, from short family friendly walks in the Peak District to longer distance Peak District hikes that will challenge even seasoned hikers.
Our guide below pulls together everything you need to know about hiking in the Peak District from our first hand experience. Including the 14 walking routes we actually rate, complete with our maps, trail info and our own experiences to you get out and enjoy them!
For even more inspiration, be sure to read our guide on how to get the most out of your trip to the Peak District that we worked on with Visit Peak District and Derbyshire. There’s also our guide to UK Hiking essentials that’s well worth reading!
October 2025 update: We’ve given this guide a big refresh, and have added more personal info, tips and tools to help you plan your hike. We still hike in the Peak District regularly, so every route here is one we know and love.
The 14 Best Hikes in the Peak District at A Glance
A quick look at the hikes we’ve covered in more detail below, and the ones we rate (and always enjoy). With options ranging from shorter trails to longer, full day hikes.
- Alport Castles
- Kinder and Kinder Downfall
- Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud
- Dovedale Stepping Stones
- Curbar Edge, Froggatt Edge and White Edge
- Stanage Edge
- The Roaches and Lud’s Chruch
- Lathkill Dale and Monyash
- Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill
- Castleton – Mam Tor – The Great Ridge
- Hope to Hollins Cross
- Kinder Downfall via The High Peak
- Bleaklow Head from Doctors Gate
- Derwent Edge from Ladybower Reservoir
Our Favourite Peak District Hikes and the Best Walks in the National Park
The Peak District hikes we’ve covered below are walks we’d genuinely recommend to anyone. Each one explores something a little bit unique about the area, from iconic ridge trails to lesser-known valley routes that show off the variety of hiking in the Peak District National Park.
We’ve included detailed maps, key trail information and our honest take on what makes these gorgeous Peak District walks so special, and well worth your time.
1. Alport Castles and the Derwent Reservoir
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – hilly with some steep climbs, these are packed in mostly at a couple of points. Exposed and potentially windy in sections, uneven drops and precipitous edges at Alport Castles. Mostly flat along the Derwent Dam, uneven, rocky as you gain height.
Distance: 19.1km
Elevation: 431m ascent and descent When to do it: All year, but avoid after heavy rain due to slippery sections.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
When it comes to Peak District hiking, this is one of our favourite longer trails. It’s a great circular route with sweeping views that gets you seeing varied and interesting landscapes with beautiful views of the Dales.
You’ll have far-reaching hilly views whilst hiking this route and you’ll get to experience the phenomenal Alport Castles. Formed from eroded rock faces and landslips, it’s been described as ‘castles in the air’.
If you have a thing for heights, then be mindful that there are some pretty big drop offs if you want to see the best views at the top. However, we find you can stay away a bit on the path too if it gets too much.
This is a much less trafficked Peak District walk and we love the fact you can often have it to yourself. Combine that with exploring one of the Peak District’s most unique geological landmarks and it just feels like a really special trail. It’s one we’ve been back to time and time again as it feels so memorable every time we’ve done it.
We also love the section on this hike along the Derwent Reservoir and Derwent Dam as well for the varying feel this has. In our opinion, this is one of the most fantastic hikes in the National Park.
If you’re looking for somewhere to hike with some of the best Peak District views, you might have found it!
2. Kinder Scout and Kinder Downfall
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Challenging – with the combination of elevation gain and distance Lots of uneven terrain and plenty of uphill sections. Some steps near Jacobs Ladder, and also steps cut into hillsides are fairly frequent. Some steps can become slippery in wet weather.
Distance: 15.6km
Elevation: Roughly 513m ascent and descent
When to do it: Route navigation can sometimes be tricky from the top due to the indistinctive topology – a good one to save for daylight hours or clearer days.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
Kinder Scout is the highest hill in the Peak District at 636m so it attracts quite a lot of attention in terms of hiking. The route, and the car park to it can get quite busy and is certainly one of the more popular Peak District walks.
We think this Kinder Scout walk is fantastic though! The climb up from the valley is spectacular with stunning views and the sound of the stream as you pass by is so soothing.
The thing we think makes Kinder Scout interesting is that it doesn’t have a particularly well defined summit and when you’re on the top, it is more of a plateau.
On a clear day, the views from the top of the Kinder Plateau are utterly spectacular and you will likely see some of the most beautiful peak district waterfalls at places like Kinder Downfall.
As an alternate, another great option we’d recommend is that you start from the Edale Valley (and this gives access to the train from the lovely village of Edale which runs to Manchester and Sheffield)
On the whole though, we would usually go for this walking route as a preference as there are a few of the best Peak District views you miss out on otherwise!
Be careful of the sheep at the Kinder Plateau too – they are very friendly and have tried to get into our bags a few times when we’ve been sat down to eat 🙂
3 & 4. Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud
Longer Route: Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – lots of ups and downs, slippery when wet rocks, especially around the Dovedale stepping stones, rocky terrain, scree and loose slopes in areas.
Distance: 11.6km
Elevation: 398m ascent and descent
When to do it: This route can get very busy on weekends, so good to do in the week if possible. Avoid after very heavy rain as it can be very boggy.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
Dovedale is a one of the more popular Peak District hiking routes on this list due to the Dovedale stepping stones (see next route for something shorter) and is probably one of the best known walking trails in the National Park.
What we love about this longer hiking route though, is the detour near the beginning to the top of nearby Thorpe Cloud, with its distinctive ‘cone’ like shape. The views down to the river from here are absolutely beautiful.
This walk also contains lots of different views, and because you go from up high, to lower, to higher again there is plenty of variety. There are also caves along the upper sections of the hike after the river itself which are brilliant to take some time to explore.
If you’re into your land history, you’ll also find lots of earthworks and land artefacts on route in the upper moors of the walk.
The last time we did this walk, we found it was really busy around the stepping stones, but as soon as you get a little bit away from them and up into the hills, it is much quieter.
Shorter Route: Dovedale Stepping Stones
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Easier – A shorter walk with very little ascent and descent.
Distance: (Add from AllTrails if available)
Elevation: (Add from AllTrails if available)
When to do it: In better weather as it can be very slippery when wet and the stones can become submerged. If possible try to do on a weekday as it gets busy at weekends.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
The Dovedale stepping stones over the river get quite the crowd, with people famously jumping over these, and they’re lots of fun.
This second route we’ve included is a much shorter walk if you just want to take in the stepping stones. It’s one that does get busy at the weekend and in summer you’ll see families with picnics.
The last time we did this trail was when we wanted a short walk before heading off to do something else. It was a Saturday and even at 9:30am, the trail was already busy!
5. Curbar Edge, Froggatt Edge and White Edge
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some uneven dirt paths, and a few steep steps up and down along the way. Hilly, drop offs on one side at most times (but with a path that is a decent way away from the edge). Can feel quite exposed on a windy day.
Distance: 10.4km
Elevation: 119m ascent and descent
When to do it: This route is beautiful year round and we’ve done it in all weather! Though best on a clear day for maximum views from the edges out over the valley.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
Situated in the White Peak (Limestone Dales), this is without a doubt one of our favourite hiking routes in the Peak District and the Hope Valley. So much so that we seem to do it really frequently!
It just has everything a great hike should: great views of the Dales, things to explore, hilly sections and quiet. The first section, from Curbar Gap car park is incredibly popular as a day walk due to its accessibility, but this doesn’t stop it being any less fantastic.
Once you cross over the road to White Edge, though, you’ll generally be greeted to a lot more solitude as you take in the distant moorland views.
Many people choose to do the Curbar Edge hike by walking to the end of Froggatt Edge and turning around, to make it a linear, but we generally feel that White Edge is under appreciated and has some of the most beautiful, far reaching views of the Peak District.
You get amazing views and it’s that bit quieter, still with beautiful stones to explore. Curbar Edge is popular with rock climbers and bouldering, so you can expect to spot plenty of this. It’s also a nesting site for many birds, so if this interests you, be sure to bring binoculars.
For us what makes this walk so special is that we’ve been doing it on our own, with family and with friends for years. It’s really close to Sheffield (about a 30 minute drive) so we’ve done it at the last minute, in perfect weather opportunities and everything inbetween. The views out from the top near the start just never get old.
6. Stanage Edge from Longshaws
Route: Linear
Difficulty: Easy – but some sections involve crossing rocks and navigating narrow paths. Good visible path but feels exposed on a windy or hot day. Relatively flat with gentle ups and downs throughout.
Distance: 10.8km
Elevation: 89m ascent and descent
When to do it: A great trail year round, but take care in winter or after heavy rain as some sections around rock faces can become extremely slippery.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
Another edge, and something the Peak District does so very well. Expect utterly dramatic views of the Dales on this Stanage Edge walk. There is the option to make this a circular hiking route by taking one of the many trails down the hill – or making it longer by keeping on going on the path.
The views on this Stanage Edge walk always have us feeling a bit lovestruck. As another note, if you love your edges, you might want to check out Bamford Edge and Baslow Edge too.
Whilst this trail is marked as easy, there are some sections which feel very exposed or close to the edge. So keep this in mind if heights are a thing for you. We actually sometimes find this a little full on in terms of the edge!
What makes Stanage Edge feel distinct to us in comparisson to some of the other edges around the Peak District is that the landscape feels so vast, far sweeping and has a really big, big scale feel. It takes your breath away when you get up to the top and see the view out over the valley.
7. The Roaches and Lud's Church
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – a lot of undulating hills, steady climbs and rocky trail sections to navigate. Some edges and exposed sections but with secure and easy to find paths. Paths can become slippery when wet. Lud’s Church – some steep and slippery steps down (made worse in wet weather).
Distance: 13.2km
Elevation: 303m ascent and descent
When to do it: Great all year round, but you may want to avoid Lud’s Church after very heavy rain or ice as it can be very slippery!
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
If you’re looking for unusual walking trails, this is one to try. The Roaches themselves present a fantastic hiking route – this trail feels really varied.
This is another popular one with climbers and you can see why, there is so much to explore on this trail and so many rock formations to weave in and out of.
What makes this hike feel really special and what we love is the section when you head to Lud’s Church, a deep chasm which penetrates to millstone bedrock created by a landslip in the hillside.
What is interesting is it feels like it has its own microclimate – it is mossy, overgrown and slightly slippery at all times, as well as being cool and dark, even on the hottest of days.
It feels like something out of a fairytale and it’s great to explore and is unlike anything else you’ll find in the Peak District.
Keep in mind that there is no official car parking for this route, and it just has on street, so this can get very busy, and it can be tricky to get parking, especially at weekends.
8. Lathkill Dale and Monyash
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – Uneven grassy trails for the first section through green rolling hills, which do get really boggy in bad weather. Steep, short stone staircase down (or up depending which way you go) and some hopping around rocks along the riverbed. Some rocks on the stones out of the valley can be wet and slippery so watch your footing. Several stiles as you head back to Monyash.
Distance: 14km
Elevation: Roughly 160m of ascent and descent
When to do it: Best in summer or autumn, we’d avoid this one after very heavy rain.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
We first discovered this Peak District hiking route when we were looking for quieter walking trails in the area, especially for some weekend walks that felt a little bit different.
This circular trail is absolutely incredible and has become a firm favourite. It also starts from the lovely little village of Monyash which has a really nice cafe and ice cream in the centre and is the perfect spot for when you finish (you won’t miss it).
On the walk itself, and after a while of crossing beautiful dales, a stone staircase takes you to Lathkill Dale – a limestone cliff that runs along a beautiful flowing stream. On the way back out to the village, the trail heads up a string of stone stairs, taking in this almost fairy tale location.
We love this trail in summer as the shaded cliff walls make this walk feel cool. However, if you decide to do this hike in winter, keep in mind that it can make it really chilly, so bring extra layers just in case.
Given the fact that it isn’t really classed as a ‘big hitter’ it makes for a really lovely, quieter day hike! The calmness is one of our favourite things about the trail and we just love the steep staircase down which gives a really sense of interest along the way.
9. Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill from Earl Sterndale
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – Undulating terrain, good easy to find paths. A few steep ups and downs, and a few rocky sections. Can become boggy when wet. Can feel exposed on a windy or sunny day.
Distance: 7.3km
Elevation: 286m ascent and descent
When to do it: Beautiful all year
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
This is certainly an Insta favourite location so don’t expect to have it to yourself, but we think it’s well worth doing!
This Peak District route to Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill has become even more of a popular hiking trail over the last few years due to the shapes being described as he ‘dragons back’, and you’ll see why when you go. It also involves a bit of a ridge walk, though it’s very doable (and not scary in the least).
However some of the sections on the ridge can be slippery after heavy rain or in colder weather, so grippy hiking shoes or boots are a must. We’d opt for the latter as this trail can get quite boggy in lower land sections too!
We do think this can sometimes make this hike take longer than you’d think, so always allow a bit of extra time, especially in winter.
You’ll be treated to a thrilling hike which takes in several ups and downs through hills and the beautiful valley surrounding. This is also a great hike with superb views if you’re short on time.
We’ve found every time we’ve done this trail that the trail is pretty short but punchy when it comes to the uphill. However the effort is totally worth it.
If you head there toward the end of the day, golden hour can look absolutely stunning in this area. We’ve spent plenty of time sat at the top watching the warm light move over the area with some very happy memories. Be sure to bring a camera for this one!
10. Mam Tor and the Great Ridge
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – A busy but well-marked trail. Some steep up and downs but with a mostly steady climb uphill. Steps cut into grassy hillside on steepest sections. Some areas slippery when muddy. Rocky path on the Great Ridge. Can feel exposed when windy or sunny. There are easier trails from closer car parks that cut off a significant distance, but these can become busy very quickly.
Distance: 13.6km (much shorter route if done from Winnats Pass)
Elevation: Roughly 420m ascent and descent
When to do it: Can be done year round, but we’d recommend doing it when the summit is clear of cloud for the best views.
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
This is probably one of the most famous, and popular Peak District hiking routes, partly because of the accessibility by train from the town of Castleton at which this starts.
But it is stunning, you just won’t have it to yourself, unless you go for sunrise, and then you probably won’t either! Don’t let this put you off though, because this is a spectacular hike with amazing views and a great sense of satisfaction when you complete it.
There are much shorter versions of this walk too that we’ve done many times when we’ve been short on time. You can actually park much closer to the top of Mam Tor if you head up Winnats Pass.
This leaves you with a much shorter walk (a couple of km as a circular) and a lot less ascent and is really popular with families. However, parking is by the roadside here and is extremely limited. You are much more likely to get parking in Castleton as there are numerous larger scale parking areas there.
We’ve hiked this trail to Mam Tor in pretty much all weather conditions. Like the ones in our picture below are pretty atmospheric, but if this is your first time doing it, we’d always recommend saving this for a clearer day so you can get the iconic views out from the top.
This is a pretty good hike to start with if you’re new to it all, as it gives some pretty big rewards for the effort, especially if you do start from nearer the summit past Winnats Pass.
11. Hope to Hollins Cross
Route: Circular
Difficulty: There are some steep sections that can get slippery in wet weather and other sections could get quite muddy. Whilst there are paths on the entire route, it isn’t signposted, so we think a map is essential.
Distance: 12.8km
Elevation: Roughly 355m ascent and descent
When to do it: A beautiful trail to do year round
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
We love this trail. It starts off at Hope Train Station (where there’s also car parking available), so it’s very accessible by public transport from nearby Sheffield and by extension, most of the rest of the UK.
What we love about this circular walk is that the climb toward the summit of Lose Hill and Back Tor gives pretty epic views over the surrounding Dales
You then sweep back down into the picturesque village of Castleton for a final stretch through fields following a meandering river.
This route certainly won’t give you absolute solitude. You pass through a wide variety of terrains including picturesque villages, steep hills, woodland and open farmland. The section of trail that takes in Lose Hill and Back Tor is one of the more popular hikes in the Peak District, but it never feels crowded.
There’s a possibility to extend the walk to take in the summit of Mam Tor if you want and is an option we’ve tacked on before, though it does of course make the route longer.
We’ve done this route in pretty much all weather conditions, and we love it particularly in autumn when the colours are changing – it’s absolutely stunning!
12. Kinder Downfall via The High Peak
Route: Linear
Difficulty: Moderate – a well-marked trail, paved with flagstones in part and weaves through open heath land.
Distance: 13.7km
Elevation: 201m ascent and descent
When to do it: Year round
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
We think that this is one of the best hikes in the Peak District and again, one of the most well known in the area.
There’s parking by the side of the road near the trailhead on the Snake Pass (A57). The well-marked trail weaves through gently undulating terrain that gradually gains height through the route. There are a few steep sections and then you are up on the Kinder Plateau which you can follow to the Kinder Downfall waterfall.
On a clear day, it’s a pretty easy route to follow, but the High Peak is also in an exposed part of the landscape that gets battered by wind, rain and snow. More than once we’ve experienced the trail completely shrouded in thick, freezing fog.
The weather can and does change quickly and dramatically here, so be sure to bring appropriate clothing and a map. On a clear day, or when there’s breaks in the cloud, you’ll be treated to shifting light and shadows and some of the best Peak District views we think there are.
13. Bleaklow Head from Doctors Gate
Route: Linear
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Generally good accessibility and the trail itself is not technically challenging. Mostly well marked as it weaves through boggy moorland, but it splits regularly and it’s easy to drift off-path.
Distance: 9.2km
Elevation: Roughly 189m ascent and descent
When to do it: (Add timing recommendation if needed)
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
Starting directly across the road from the Kinder Downfall via The High Peak trail listed above, this walk gives you something quite different from its neighbour: the trail climbs and splits in numerous places and it can be easy to veer off-path, so keep an eye on your map.
In 1948, a US Airforce B29 photo recognisance aircraft crashed here in poor weather resulting in the tragic loss of all 13 crew. The wreckage has been preserved as a memorial and it’s possible to take a short detour off this trail to visit this sombre site.
The Peak District is home to some of the best hiking places in the UK and we think the High Peak, and this route in particular, is right up there amongst the best. The views always take our breath away on this trail.
One thing we always notice and something to keep in mind – the weather in the High Peak can change very quickly and very suddenly. One moment you’ve got clear sunny skies and they can pretty quickly give way to dense freezing fog in a matter of moments.
It’s also pretty much always windy up here, as the moors are quite exposed in this area. This can make it feel cooler than other areas, or lower down in the valleys.
We always recommend bringing extra layers with you so you’re prepared and make sure you keep aware of your surroundings to navigate.
Nonetheless, this is one of the best hikes the Peak District has to offer, especially for the views at Bleaklow Head and the crash site!
14. Derwent Edge from Ladybower Reservoir
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate – there’s a section of steep ascent about a quarter of the way in as you weave your way up above the Derwent Reservoir. A large section is open and exposed and it can be tough going – not just in bad weather, but also on very warm days. The trail is still relatively easy to follow at all points.
Distance: 12.7km
Elevation: Roughly 414m ascent and descent
When to do it: Beautiful year round
AllTrails map alternative: Similar route linked here
The Peak District is home to some of the best hiking in England, and this route is definitely a favourite of ours. Every single time we’ve done this trail – on our own, with friends, with family, we’ve always seen something different.
It starts at the Fairholmes Visitor Centre at the Ladybower Reservoir. Much of the land around here is managed by the National Trust.
From the visitor centre, you walk past the iconic Derwent Dam, follow the shore of the Derwent Reservoir (where the famous ‘Dam Busters’ raids were rehearsed during WW2), through dense forest before a steep ascent takes you up into open heath.
The route finally loops back to the start, but not before rewarding you with incredible elevated views of the complex of reservoirs fed by the River Derwent.
You’ll love this route – it’s one we enjoy so much every time we do it and it really doesn’t disappoint.
Getting to the Peak District & Where to Stay
Below we’ve covered all the best ways to get to the Peak District and the best places to stay if you’re visiting and want to make the most of your trip.
How to Get There
The Peak District is majorly accessible by car from numerous motorways, with a lot of connectivity due to its close location to several major UK cities and towns. There are also a number of options if you’d prefer to travel by public transport.
Generally, the rail network, for example, that connects rural starts of trails, in our opinion isn’t that well connected and could be massively improved to aid accessibility. However, there are some locations that can be reached by train. Generally, look for hikes that start from a town – Castleton is a great example of this.
There are a number of towns at which hikes start from that’s main car parks have electric car charging points as well – so it’s a good idea to check what the situation is here if you need to use these.
We’ve often made use of the train to Edale or Hope when we want to hike without the car, or when we’re meeting friends. Both are good starting points for a number of hikes we’ve listed such as Kinder Scout and Mam Tor.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for locations to stay in the Peak District, there are plentiful options in the cities of Sheffield and Manchester, which are both easy driving distance to the park and offer the best of both worlds.
For example, Sheffield gives you great, easy access by car to places like Stanage Edge, Bamford Edge, and Curbar Edge. Many of the walks around the Hope Valley and the picturesque village of Castleton are in our opinion, some of the best hikes in the Peak District.
If you’d like a much quieter stay, there are a multitude of options for hotels, bed and breakfasts etc in the park itself. We like to use Booking.com which we’ve found is actually really handy for booking lower cost hotels in neighbouring cities such as Sheffield and Manchester.
This can actually give you the best of both worlds, so you have access to nature by day and city by night. There are also a number of options for quaint B&B’s in the neighbouring villages. There are also a number of hostels and camp sites available too.
Is the Peak District Accessible?
With the walking trails in Peak District and Peak District hikes we’ve outlined in our guide, we’ve tried to be as descriptive as possible to help you make a choice about your accessibility needs.
We don’t believe in just rating our hiking routes easy, medium and hard as this is a relative concept. However it is something a lot of people use to judge by and therefore we include it for people that find it helpful.
Ultimately, that decision lies with you and what you feel comfortable with – and if a particular hike looks interesting to you, we recommend you call on +44(0)1629 816200 if you have questions about detailed accessibility.
We do believe a lot more can be done in terms of accessibility on certain trails and making these become more easily understood as to what is involved. The Peak District National Park authority does have a website with information about accessibility that we recommend you check out.
They have a whole section called Miles Without Styles which includes information about a number of Peak District walks which they class as accessible and include routes without steps, styles or steep gradients.
Likewise, we’ve hiked a few of these trails, around Ladybower Reservoir and they can be great for days where you want a slightly more relaxed walk.
Looking at the main page, you might be led into thinking you have to pay for a guide to these easily accessible paths – but look to the left hand navigation bar and they’re available as a drop down list where each link contains a walk and map.
Peak District Seasons: When to Go & What to Expect
The Peak District is a location that can be visited all year round for hiking, and unless there are adverse weather conditions that impact, there should be relatively no issues for travelling through the park.
It is important to note that the park sees a lot of wet weather – so this can make some paths hard going at times of the year.
There can also be snow in areas over winter. You often find a lot of very boggy and muddy areas. You can also find that rocky areas can become very slippery in the day.
Route finding can also be more challenging on a foggy day – especially on moorlands where there are no distinct features. Aside from this, the Peak District in our opinion looks beautiful all year round.
A gorgeous sunny day can have you seeing for miles away from the top of a rocky hill, a winters day can feel so moody like its fresh out of a Renaissance painting.
The park is always busier on sunny days, weekends, and public holidays, so do keep that in mind when it comes to planning. We’d always recommend arriving to a car park as early as you can to avoid disappointment – or have an alternate route on mind.
What to Pack for Hiking in the Peak District
Our brief list below covers the essentials we recommend bringing with you for most Peak District hiking. They’re focused on the quick changes you’re likely to experience here, and it’s always better to be over prepared!
Our guides on What to Wear Hiking and UK Hiking Essentials go into a lot more detail here too. With lots of info on layering (specifically for the UK landscape) from our experience and the gear we think is worth investing in.
Waterproof Hiking Shoes or Boots
Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are pretty much a must when it comes to hiking in the Peak District. There is a good chance you will always find some bad patches of mud, even if it hasn’t rained in weeks.
Things can get slippery too, so we always opt for footwear that has a grippy sole. If you do want to go for a shoe in summer we would recommend either the Keen Hightrail shoes or the Danner Panorama Mid. These are both shoes we’ve worn in summer in the Peak District and they’ve performed really well on warmer hikes, time and time again.
We have a full guide on waterproof hiking shoes and it covers, in a lot more detail the things to look out for when buying. If you need to keep budget in mind, our guide to the best affordable hiking shoes covers our favourite options here and each pair we’ve tested in detail for more than a year.
In terms of hiking boots, which is what we’d actually recommend for most of the rest of the time, we’d say read our full guide on hiking boots guide too.
This covers the best options and includes many that are specifically suitable to the kind of boggy, slippery weather you can expect in the Peak District.
Waterproof Layers
As goes with the waterproof shoes, waterproof layers are really important in the Peak District too.
Now, we both pretty much always bring our Rab Downpour Plus Jackets and rain pants when we go hiking in the Peak District. The brand are actually from nearby, and their products are pretty much exactly designed for the kind of weather you experience here.
Aside from that, they’ve have become pretty much our favourite rain jackets after testing them in detail.
We have guides on both waterproof rain jackets and rain pants for hiking which cover the Rab jackets and pants we love, and others which also fit a number of budgets.
We test all the gear in the guides we write about on the exact kind of hikes we’ve listed here. So you can be safe in the knowledge that everything we recommend is 100% fit for purpose.
Warm Layers
It can get really cold in the Peak District and warm layers are really important here. Puffy jackets are our go to and pretty much a non negotiable in our packs for most of the year.
We’ve landed on the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket and the Salewa Puez Catinaccio 2 jacket as our main choices right now, and these seem to be pretty much at the top of our rotation.
We’d always recommend having a pair of winter hiking gloves and a hat with you. Obviously this isn’t really needed for summer, but in winter, you will be really glad you did!
Daypack
We generally bring a small daypack for most hikes in the Peak District. This is usually the Rab Adrift 24 and Helly Hansen Generator Backpack.
If you’re looking for a daypack to make the most of the hiking on offer in the Peak District, we think its well worth checking out our guide on the best daypacks for hiking. As with all our guides, it covers all the options we’ve tested in detail as well as lots of information on what to look for in terms of sizing, fit and specifications to get the right pack.
Why Trust Our Travel Guides?
Every guide we write for This Expansive Adventure comes from our personal experience. The trails we’ve included in this Peak District hiking guide are all ones we’ve done ourselves, in this case, many more times than once.
Everything we include, any partners we link out to and anything we recommend are things we genuinely trust on our own trips and travels. We update our guides as often as is relevant to make sure everything is current and realistic too. Basically, our integrity is really important to everything we write and produce.
The trust you put in us isn’t something we take lightly and we want you to have the best experience you can when you follow one of the hikes we’ve recommended here. So thank you for putting your trust in us – it means a lot.
Enjoy the Best Hikes in the Peak District
As we said at the start, the Peak District was one of the main places that both of us fell in love with hiking. There is so much to explore over this vast landscape and that’s one of the reasons we keep coming back.
Whether you’re looking for a new route and live nearby or are planning a trip specifically to visit, we know you’re going to love what you get to see. It’s true that this landscape does see a lot of rain, but with that comes a lot of beauty.
We hope our guide has given you some inspiration and that you get as many great memories from the trails we’ve shared with you as we have!
FAQ’s:
What is the Hardest Walk in the Peak District?
In our opinion, Kinder Scout is one of the hardest walking trails in Peak District due to the length, height gain and indistinct trail at points. However, it’s rewarding with beautiful views from Kinder Plateau and Kinder Low and worth the effort!
You’ll really feel like you’re in the mountains! We also think Alport Castles is up there as one of the harder walks in the Peak District too, again, due to the height gain and length. If heights are something you’re cautious about, Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill actually sits up there too.
Is Mam Tor a Difficult Walk?
Of course, the difficulty of any hiking trail has a lot to do with you and how you’re feeling as well as the weather on any given day.
Mam Tor is rated as one of the more family friendly Peak District hiking trails by many sources, but we think it really depends where you start the walk from, as this can rapidly increase or decrease the difficulty and effort involved.
Our hiking route above starts from Castleton, however there is a much closer car park which cuts off a lot of climbing and distance.
The closest car park to the top of Mam Tor is the Mam Tor National Trust Car Park. The postcode to use for this is SS33 8WA. From the back of the carpark, you’ll find a well marked trail that leads up to the summit.
Where is the Most Beautiful Place to Hike?
In our opinion, Alport Castles (see our route suggestion above) is one of the most beautiful Peak District Walks. The hiking trail gives something absolutely stunning in terms of scenery with beautiful views all round.
You’ve got far reaching views of the High Peak and Dark Peak with dramatic cliff drops into the valleys. The moorland views are breathtaking. On a good day, you’ll also have great views over onto Derwent Edge as well.
The route has a wide variety of things to keep you interested across moorland, water and woodlands – everything a great walk includes in our opinion. If you try the Kinder Scout walk, you’ll also experience Kinder Downfall, which is an incredibly stunning area too.
All the edges too – such as Curbar Edge, Bamford Edge, Stanage Edge etc are absolutely iconic for hiking and for good reason! In our opinion, these routes will give you some of the best Peak District views.
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