Best trails in Peak District National Park
Founded in 1951, Peak District National Park is the first established national park in the UK. It is spread throughout five counties, including Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester. The park covers 555 square miles and hosts over 13 million visitors per year. The Peak District is divided into the White Peak and the Dark Peak, offering a diverse landscape with limestone formations, glacial dales, gritstone edges, moorlands, and more. Kinder Scout, the highest point in the park, holds historical significance as the site of the Mass Trespass in 1932, which fueled the right-to-roam movement and led to the establishment of national parks in the UK. Mam Tor, also known as the Shivering Mountain, and the Roaches are iconic hills in the park. The Dark Peak features impressive gritstone edges like Bamford Edge, Derwent Edge, and Stanage Edge, which provide climbing and bouldering opportunities. The park also boasts fascinating caves, reservoirs, nature reserves, and railway paths.
Top trails
- (7081)•Moderate•7.7 miEnjoy this beautiful, scenic, and popular trail that takes in a great mix of natural, historic, and mythical sights. Rugged terrain and sweeping views accompany you as you make your way to Hen Cloud, The Roaches, Doxey Pool, and Lud's Church. With some rocky scrambling involved, this trail will test your abilities but reward your efforts. The trail starts with a very steep climb over rough and rocky terrain to Hen Cloud, a crag popular with rock climbers. Here you can enjoy views of East...
- (4574)•Moderate•8.0 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrThis is a popular trail at the edge of the Dark Peak and White Peak region in the Peak District National Park, taking you up to Mam Tor, one of the most iconic hills in England, also known as the "Shivering Mountain”. From this first peak, the route continues along the undulating spine of the Great Ridge to Hollins Cross, Back Tor, and Lose Hill, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys before heading back via Castleton, Cave Dale, and Slitherstone Hill. Start this...
- (4284)•Moderate•6.6 mi•Est. 4–4.5 hrThis is a rewarding, yet challenging circular route in the Peak District National Park that begins at Winnats Pass and visits Blue John Cavern, Mam Tor, Mam Tor Hill Fort, Hollins Cross, Back Tor, and Lose Hill. There are stunning panoramic views from the top of the peaks of the surrounding countryside. This route does not include the Elbow Ridge grade 3 scramble, but instead takes the path beside it along Winnats Pass. This route is often extremely muddy after rain and during certain times...
- (5735)•Moderate•8.5 miThis is a fantastic, yet dangerous circular trail in The Peak District National Park. It takes you up Kinder Scout and past Kinder Downfall, retracing the steps of the famous Kinder Scout Mass Trespass - an act of wilful trespass by ramblers and members of the Young Communist League on 24 April 1932, to highlight the fact that walkers in England and Wales were denied access to areas of open country. Kinder Scout, situated in the Dark Peak region, is the highest point in the Peak District....
- (3763)•Moderate•5.5 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrThis is a beautiful trail in the Peak District National Park, taking you along the Bamford Edge and below the towering crags of Stanage Edge. These striking escarpment form part of the exposed gritstone escarpments that stretch from the top of the Derwent Valley all the way to Chatsworth and beyond. Start this trail at the Dennis Knoll car park at the corner of North Lees and the Long Causeway, an ancient packhorse route across the Peak District, linking Hathersage and Sheffield. From...
- (3010)•Moderate•4.1 miPlease note that this trail starts at the Top Pike Layby on the A6, not at the private farms across the valley, nor across the street. The trail involves some clambering of rocks and a very steep hill, which can be tough. Keep in mind that some parts of this trail can get slippery in wet weather, making it significantly more challenging, so come prepared with the appropriate footwear. This is a beautiful trail at the edge of Peak District National Park, taking you through the Chee Dale...
- (1793)•Moderate•3.2 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrThe Roaches is a spectacular gritstone escarpment in the Dark Peak of the Staffordshire Peak District National Park and a popular place to visit in the park. This trail takes you along the Roaches and visits Lud’s Church in the Black Forest Wood along the way. The trail starts from Roach End, where you’ll follow the path down the slope and into Black Forest Wood to visit Lud’s Church, a fairytale-like chasm with moss-covered walls, which was created by a landslip and has served as...
- (2298)•Moderate•8.3 mi•Est. 4–4.5 hrThe Roaches is a spectacular gritstone escarpment in the Dark Peak of the Staffordshire Peak District National Park and a popular place to visit in the park. This trail visits the iconic Hen Cloud, meaning ‘steep rock’, located at the southern end of the Roaches before continuing up the Roaches, visiting Doxey Pool and Lud’s Church on the way. The route starts from a car park along Roach Road and takes you on an ascent up the western slope of Hen Cloud, a steep, rocky outcrop that offers...
- (2496)•Hard•8.1 miPortions of this route are undefined with scramble sections. It should not be attempted in the winter months or when conditions aren't clear. Appropriate training, footwear, and navigation skills are required. This is an exciting trail taking you up Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District National Park via Grindsbrook Clough and descending via Jacob’s Ladder. This trail starts from the Edale Car Park and follows the road through Edale and Grindsbrook Booth before crossing the...
- (4650)•Moderate•8.2 miThis trail takes you up to Higher Shelf Stones and visits the B-29 crash site and memorial near its peak in the Peak District National Park. The trail starts in Old Glossop, where you’ll follow the road along the Glossop Brook before embarking on the gradual climb up to Higher Shelf Stones and the B29 Superfortress crash site and memorial. The site itself is captivating; there are large parts of the fuselage, wheels and parts of the engine strewn over 400 yards of ground. When the US Air...
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Activities
- Backpacking trails in Peak District National Park
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- Horseback riding trails in Peak District National Park
- Mountain biking trails in Peak District National Park
- Paddling trails in Peak District National Park
- Road biking trails in Peak District National Park
- Rock climbing trails in Peak District National Park
- Running trails in Peak District National Park
- Walking trails in Peak District National Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Peak District National Park
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- Hard trails in Peak District National Park
- City walks in Peak District National Park
- Easy trails in Peak District National Park
- Forest trails in Peak District National Park
- Historic site trails in Peak District National Park
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- Scenic viewpoint trails in Peak District National Park
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Suitability
- Dog-friendly trails in Peak District National Park
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