The Peak District is a beautiful region with lots of (you guess it) incredible peaks! There are plenty of nature trails and hikes to choose from. Castleton is a great place to be based, and is where we stayed for one week last Summer. While the weather is likely to be very temperamental, grab those waterproofs and get going!
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- Quick Links
- Day 1: Mam Tor, Great Ridge, Castleton
- Day 2: Chatsworth House and Bakewell
- Day 3: Edale Loop: Jacob’s Ladder, Woolpacks, Kinder Scout
- Day 4: Glossop and Buxton
- Day 5: Heights of Abraham and Matlock
- Day 6: Dovedale via Ilam
- Day 7: Relax and head home
Quick Links
Accomodation in Castleton
- Four Seasons Guesthouse
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn
- Lodge Cottage, Castleton
- Bulls Head, Castleton
- The Castle by Innkeeper’s Collection
Car rental
- I advise you drive to the Peak District, as while some locations can be reached by trains, the railway service in the UK is notoriously unreliable
- Compare car rental deals here
Guided Tours
- If you don’t feel like driving, there are plenty of alternative, guided tours available for you to pick from:
- From Manchester: Chatsworth and the Peak District Tour
- From Manchester: Derbyshire and Peak District Day Trip
- 3-day Yorkshire Dales and Peak District Tour from Manchester
- Heart of England, North Wales and Yorkshire 5-Day Tour
Day 1: Mam Tor, Great Ridge, Castleton
Mam Tor is a classic hike in the Peak District, due to its close proximity and accessibility from the major city of Manchester. You can park on the road and take a generally gentle hike to the peak, and then walk along the ridge.
Or, if you want a bit more of a challenge, the peak can be summited in a circular walk from Castleton.
Starting point: Castleton
Distance: 7 miles/11.4 km, 1,478 ft elevation gain.
Time: 3-5 hours, depending on breaks.
Difficulty: moderate
Day 2: Chatsworth House and Bakewell
Chatsworth House is a stately home, located on a large estate, with nature trails through woodland, roughly 30 minutes drive away from Castleton. You can pay to enter the house and explore the historical interiors, or you can walk through the woodland walks on the property for free.
You can then head into the nearby town of Bakewell, and wander the streets trying to choose the best bakery for a Bakewell Tart. You can’t go wrong!
Day 3: Edale Loop: Jacob’s Ladder, Woolpacks, Kinder Scout
This was a beast of a walk! Starting in Edale, make sure you undertake this undulating hike with plenty of snacks and water. With plenty of pretty views and unique landscapes, it’s worth it I promise!
Starting point: Edale car park
Distance: 8.8 miles/14 km, 1,832 ft elevation gain.
Time: 3.5-6 hours, depending on breaks.
Difficulty: moderate/difficult
Day 4: Glossop and Buxton
Just outside of Glossop, there is a overexposed crash site from an infamous airplane crash here. The walk is relatively straightforward, but is incredibly exposed, so be prepared for all weather conditions! Note it’s quite an eerie spot to visit due to the wreckage that remains here.
Starting point: Snake Road
Distance: 4.8 miles/7.7 km, 480 ft elevation gain.
Time: 2-2.5 hours, depending on breaks.
Difficulty: easy
Due to it’s proximity to Glossop, you can take a visit to this nearby village. However, due to the fact we got soaked during this walk, we just headed home to dry off.
Once we had changed our clothes, we headed to Buxton. This is a classic town in the Peak District, and perfect for a stroll around the town, shops, and bakeries.
Day 5: Heights of Abraham and Matlock
Accessible by cable car, the Heights of Abraham is a wonderful place to visit. Here, you can explore caves and listen to interesting tour guides. With plenty to see and do, you can easily spend a day here with family.
Located in the town of Matlock, I recommend you also explore here. There are plenty vibey pubs and bars to try out!
Day 6: Dovedale via Ilam
Dovedale is an absolutely stunning place, with cute stepping stones at the beginning of the walk. Starting in the Dovedale car park, we walked along the river, then took a bit of a detour to walk through the tiny village of Ilam.
Starting point: Dovedale Car Park
Distance: 5.7 miles/9.1 km, 842 ft elevation gain.
Time: 2.5-3 hours, depending on breaks.
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 7: Relax and head home
I really hope my blog has inspired you with some ideas for a nature and hike filled adventure in the Peak District.
Thank you so much for reading ❤
Love, Lydia x
LYD1A KERR 
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