This 6.3km Peak District waterfall trail is a bit of a hidden gem and you’ll be treated to not one but SEVEN waterfalls tucked away on Arnfield Brook. However, there are definitely more of them as you head further upstream. The series of waterfalls come down from the moorland above and some are perfect for a wild swim. Get all the details and downloadable maps for the route here.
Walk straight up the road with the reservoir on your left until you pass Crossgate Farm campsite. Take a left here along Arnfield Lane. There are some lovely views back down to the reservoir and it’s just a 10 minute ish walk to some farm buildings on your right. Before the road bends around to the right is a sign showing the public footpath you want to follow. Head through the metal gate. Once you pass through the gate, stay on the wide path and head straight for the woodland in front of you. Pass through the woodland and after five minutes or so, keep an eye out for a small pile of stones and a path to the left.
Peak District Waterfall trail; finding the waterfalls
This path will lead you down to Arnfield Brook where the series of waterfalls starts. This can be a bit tricky to find as it isn’t signposted and there are a few little paths leading off to the left. I’d suggest checking the map or using the OS route to double check where you are.
To get to the waterfalls you need to come off the path and navigate down a steep bank to the river. This can also be slippery so extra care is definitely needed here to get down and back up again!
Once you’ve safely made it down to Arnfield Brook, you follow the stream which will involve some little scrambles.
There are a whole series of waterfalls and we found a quiet and secluded spot right by the brook to have some lunch. It was just below the shooting hut so if you’re checking a map, I definitely recommend that spot for a snack.
You can have a little wild swim/dip in quite a few of these but the water level will reduce during a spell of dry weather. If you want the pools to be a bit deeper, I’d probably head there after some rain!
Soon, it will be time to get your map out because you’ll need to navigate to the shooting cabin just above the brook.
There isn’t really a defined path and it is a little steep but it doesn’t last long. Once you’re at the cabin, it’s a nice easy walk back down the track.
The track leads down to a plantation of pine trees before reaching Arnfield Farm. When you reach the main road you have two options; left will take you back along the road you first walked on and right, following the river and the wall will lead you back to the reservoir.
This is a really beautiful route and one you’re likely to have to yourself or with very limited other people. Take the time to enjoy it as it isn’t very often you get a spot as beautiful as this so quiet!
Map and route for the Peak District Waterfall Trail
2: Farm track through metal gate to get to Arnfield Brook
3: Section where you leave the main path to get down to Arnfield Brook at the waterfalls
4. Shooting cabin
5. Meeting point back with the road which will take you back to Arnfield Reservoir
Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own. You can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Nestled in a quiet corner of the Derbyshire hills in the Peak District lies a sleeping dragon whose spiky, grass covered back you can clamber across. But fear not, the dragon has fortunately lain asleep for millions of years and it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll wake anytime soon! This wonderful walk takes in the two jagged limestone hills of Parkhouse and Chrome Hill and as you look back over the dramatic ridge lines, it’s easy to see why it goes by the nickname of “The Dragon’s Back”. The route along these mini mountains that appear to burst through the ground from nowhere can be started from many different places but this route starts from the tiny village of Earl Sterndale and crosses over the top of both hills; be careful in wet weather as this can become an incredibly slippery and treacherous route.
Where is the Dragon’s Back in the Peak District and how do I walk there?
The quiet village of Earl Sterndale is your starting point for this route and the free roadside parking near The Quiet Woman Pub is your aim (it’s the pub with a painted sign of a decapitated barmaid!). The pub has been closed for a while now and there aren’t any other facilities here unfortunately. The pretty village is in the middle of some gorgeous Peak District countryside in the Upper Dove Valley in Derbyshire and is a popular starting point for walks, especially over to Dovedale.
Once you’ve found a suitable place to leave your car, there’s a signposted path out the back of the pub which leads across fields and along the side of Hitter Hill, a 362m little rounded peak and before descending down the hill towards the road you get some brilliant views of the two peaks you’ll soon be heading up.
Walking up Parkhouse Hill
The first peak of the route is Parkhouse Hill and the path winds steeply up the closest end to you. It requires some scrambling and sure footedness as well as a good level of fitness and it is steep on the way up! However, once you’re at the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views.
This unusual hill is actually the remains of a reef formed when the Peak District was covered by a tropical sea! It’s crazy to imagine that now as you walk along the top of the ridge and down onto lush, green farmland but this is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for it’s unusual geology and flora.
Most interestingly though, this is where a double sunset can sometimes be seen. From late March to early April and again in September, when the sun sets to the south of the hill it disappears and then appears to re-emerge again before finally disappearing at the foot of the hill. This was first captured by the photographer Chris Doherty and if you’d like to know how to maybe photograph this for yourself take a look at how to see it here.
Once you’re finally on the top of Parkhouse Hill, the walk is a traverse of the ridgeline. At the end, there is a very steep path down so I would only recommend this if you are confident with steep slopes. At the bottom, you’ll be close to the base of Chrome Hill and there isn’t much time to rest; it’s a quick cross of the track before hedging straight up the side of Chrome Hill.
Walking up Chrome Hill
Chrome Hill, the slightly larger “mini mountain” of the two hills, is another challenging leg burner with a steep incline to get to the summit. Be sure to look back here for incredible views and to see the dragon in all its beauty as well as sweeping views across the hills and farms which dot the landscape. It’s quite exposed and the wind can pick up so I’d definitely recommend wrapping up warm up here!
After you descend Chrome Hill, you’ll start heading back in the direction you came from but this time alongside the bottom of Chrome Hill and through farm land until you reach a farm track. Following this track all the way back and finally across some more fields, will take you back to the main road by Parkhouse Hill, where you can retrace your steps back into Earl Sterndale.
Map and key locations for Chrome and Parkhouse Hill
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Top Tips for walking the Dragon’s Back
Parking is limited in the village of Earl Sterndale and there are no facilities in the village
In bad or wet weather, the ascents and descents of both Parkhouse and Chrome Hill can be incredibly slippery.
There are some steep inclines if you want to head onto the top of each hill
If you don’t want to walk onto the top of each hill, the views from the base are still beautiful
If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an honesty hut in Hollinsclough which you can easily detour to. It sells lots of different refreshments and you can pay with cash and card.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.
If someone suggests a “scrambly hike” as a day out, you’d be forgiven for not first thinking of the Peak District as the obvious destination but the Peaks is actually home to some of the best UK hikes and scrambles of different grading thanks to the endless supply of rocky, bouldery brooks and cloughs which are often running dry. Although not as high or exposed as scrambles you might have seen or experienced in the Lake District, Snowdonia or Scotland, scrambling in the Peak District can actually be a much more fun, alternative way to explore the area. Plus, these routes are often quieter so you can really hone in on your explorer skills and feel at one with the outdoors amongst the tranquility of vast moorland. The circular route of Fairbrook Naze, The Edge, Nether Red Brook and Black Ashop Moor is what feels like a remote one and will keep you on your toes (literally and figuratively) throughout the day; enjoy wild swimming spots, slippery scrambles, bizarre rock formations, vast boggy moorland, river crossings and friendly sheep – this Peak District hike really has it all!
*A grade 1 scramble is classed as an easy scramble with simple route finding and no requirement for technical skills or ropes but you may need to use your hands and this route definitely requires that. The route is slippery over the rocks and sure footedness is required as a slip could easily result in injury.
How to hike Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook
Starting at Snake Woodlands, the Nether Red Brook scramble can be done a couple of ways but is best tied in with Fairbrook Naze, a hike which I wrote about here. After scrambling up Fairbrook Naze and reaching the summit plateau famed for its fascinating (and totally random) rock formations, the walk from here along what’s known as The Edge (sounds like a budget rate horror film to me), takes you alongside many of these weird and wonderful formations including this one, which I tried, and ultimately failed, to climb.
After admitting defeat and soothing my bruised ego while my hiking companion giggled and rolled her eyes with that knowing look of “I knew you couldn’t do it”, we set back off along The Edge, a quieter part of the Kinder Scout plateau, making our way through more funky rock formations and along a well maintained path.
Glancing to the right, the views down towards Black Ashop Moor are ones that make you really feel like you’re deep in the wilderness (not just an hour or so from your car) but still, this area isn’t to be underestimated and it’s really important to understand that navigation in this area, when the weather comes in, can become incredibly challenging, especially if waymarkers disappear quicker than the white walkers in the fog (sorry if you’re not a Game Of Thrones fan – sorry that you’re NOT a fan that is).
Passing some more formations to make you go oooh, ahhhh you’ll eventually reach the top of Nether Red Brook where the path makes a turn left away from the edge and a right turn back towards it. There are no signs to mark this path which is why navigation is important or be sure to download the offline route to your phone from OS maps or Komoot. At the top of Nether Red Brook, the way down can seem unlikely but this scramble effectively follows the stream bed straight down.
Standing at the top of the rocky outcrop, not being able to see an obvious route down I questioned whether my map reading skills were really as accurate as I thought they were. Here I was, standing at the top of Nether Red Brook with my mum, who had already set off in front of me shimmying her way down a steep drop between two rocks after a fleeting, “this way is it?” but after one more quick check of the map I took a sigh of relief; it was definitely the right way.
The scramble isn’t technical but good balance, strength in your legs and arms and confidence over rough terrain is a must. There is a small path every now and again to hop onto but the majority of the route is over large boulders and you’ll have to navigate your way down over these.
Looking back up towards the way you’ve just scrambled down…
Eventually, you’ll find yourself in the base of the Valley known as Black Ashop Moor with no path to follow; not even the faintest glimmer of one to be precise and this is where your navigation skills will come in handy.
You’re heading for the small steam at the opposite end which will lead you back to wards Snake Woodlands but be prepared to lose a foot or even a whole leg to the boggy moorland swamp monsters which will try to suck you down to their peaty home if you make a wrong choice of step. At least if you get sucked into the pool of peaty mud, the view back up to where you came from is a nice final view.
After navigating through the moorland, the next obstacle you’ll face is the river crossing. I hope in your mind you’re picturing a whirlpool and rapid-ridden force of nature but actually it’s just a small one which, if your legs are long enough, you’ll be able to leap across in one foul swoop to the safety of the path on the other side.
Following the path downstream will lead you back towards Snake Woodlands and the view back is stunning during heather season with all the purple hues.
Eventually, you’ll reach the edge of Snake Woodlands and will continue following the path through the woods and back up towards your starting point. There is another wonderful little spot for a swim in Snake Woodlands which the path will take you next to.
Map and key locations for Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook
2: Footbridge below end of woodlands to cross over the river
3: A series of waterfall pools
4: Beginning of the steeper, rocky scrambling section of Fair Brook
5: Top of Fairbrook Naze, rock formations and the beginning of The Edge
6. Top of Nether Red Brook marking the scramble down
7. Boggy moorland crossing across Black Ashop Moor and river crossing (you’ll need to find a suitable crossing place yourself)
8. Path back towards Snake Woodlands
9. River running to Snake Woodlands and extra swim location
Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Top Tips for scrambling Fairbrook Naze and Nether Red Brook
The parking area in Snake Woodlands fills up quickly on a nice day so be sure to get there early or late in the day for any chance of parking
There are no facilities on this route or in the car park
The scrambles are slippery in places and require sure footedness and confidence on rough, scrambly terrain.
The scramble down Nether Red Brook has a steep and relatively high drop to navigate
Navigation across Black Ashop Moor is pathless so strong navigation skills are needed
This route includes a small river crossing
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, check out my other blog posts and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.
Fairbrook Naze, the rocky outcrop not far from the top of the similarly named brook; Fair Brook, lies 619m high on the northern edge of Kinder Scout. The hike to it is a wonderful Grade 1 scramble up Fair Brook itself and is packed with waterfalls and many swimming spots. The sweeping view from the top of Black Ashop Moor, Kinder Scout and Edale Moor is one not to be missed while exploring the Peak District. This route really has it all; an easy stroll through magical woodlands, a fun scramble, waterfalls aplenty to quench your thirst for a wild swim, vast moorland views, those crazy rock formations that the Peak District is known for and as it’s a less explored area, the chance of you having it to yourself is really quite high.
At a Glance
Difficulty: Moderate due to Grade 1 scrambling sections
Distance: 4.22km (one way). Option to retrace steps back down or create a longer loop once at the top of Fairbrook Naze.
Total ascent: 301m
Est Time: 1hr 30 mins (without swim stop and one way)
Dog friendly: Only if confident with grade 1 scrambles.
Key features: Beautiful woodland walk, well-marked and maintained paths, multiple wild swimming spots along the route, stunning views from the top.
*Please note: A grade 1 scramble is classed as an easy scramble with simple route finding and no requirement for technical skills or ropes but you may need to use your hands and this route definitely requires that. The route is slippery over the rocks and sure footedness is required as a slip could easily result in injury.
Fair Brook, one of the many brooks flowing down from the breathtaking and wild moorland that is the Kinder Scout plateau, eventually finds its way to the River Alport and down into the stunning Ladybower Reservoir. The scramble up Fair Brook is bouldery, slippery and a gentle uphill all the way but you’re rewarded at the end with a beautiful vantage point and, on a nice day, uninterrupted views in all directions.
Route Details for Fairbrook Naze in the Peak District
Starting at the Forestry England car park in Snake Woodlands, the route starts by crossing the main road and heading down into Snake Woodland. An area popular with countless Peak District visitors, the woodlands really hold that magical spirit with towering pine trees occasionally making space for the sun to shine on the forest floor, the River Alport tricking alongside for paddling and swimming in and quite often, families and lone campers camping out on the river banks.
Unfortunately, Snake Woodlands is regularly strewn with discarded disposable BBQs, beer cans, bags of rubbish and other, shall we say, human waste that is never nice to come across from these very campers. With the number one rule to wild camping being Leave No Trace, it is truly heartbreaking to see the outdoors being left in such a state. Be mindful that there are no facilities here and to take anything home with you that you brought in.
Continuing with the route, after crossing the road and heading into the woodlands, you’ll soon see a beautifully photogenic bridge to cross leading you further into the forest. Keeping the river on your right hand side, pass another bridge and carry on through the woodland. Eventually, you’ll come out at the end of the woods and the path will take you high onto a cliff edge looking down at the river.
As you carry on along this path, another bridge crossing the river will appear in front of you. As you cross this bridge, you’ll soon see a brook with a handy signpost signalling Fair Brook and the start of your route. At first, Fair Brook is a mere trickle and the path to your right heads off alongside it. Eventually, the small river will appear more powerful and you’ll start to see some potential swim spots. Keep an eye out to your left hand side for the perfect waterfall pools. With absolutely no self control, I decided to stop at the first one I found rather than going to investigate further up before deciding. The swim spot was nestled down a steep slope (but one which has a well trodden path down) which would be slippery in wet weather and was hidden behind an overhanging tree branch.
With a small waterfall flowing over the edge, the pool is deep enough for a few strokes and the wall of stones at the end could be classed as a small infinity pool if you really use your imagination! Once you’ve had your wild swim fix, head back up to the path and carry on following it uphill. This is where, if you’re a beady eyed swim spot hunter, you’ll find other swimming spots; choosing which one to dip in is the most challenging part of the hike you’ll have come across so far! As you gain height, the moorland path will lead you to spectacular views back down the valley before reaching a noticeably more rocky section which marks the beginning of the scramble.
As you approach the huge, imposing bouldery section, there is an easier path to the right but to really feel the scrambling experience, I opted for a simple “straight up and see what happens” route. The scramble itself is Grade 1, as mentioned above, meaning there’s no technical demands but it definitely requires use of your hands, with some big steps up, lots of pulling yourself up and it was incredibly slippery on some rocks even after a period of no rain.
The way up is obvious here but the route you choose will come down to personal preference as you clamber up and over the rocks. Eventually, it becomes less demanding and as you continue following the river up towards the flat plateau at the top.
Once you reach the top, head along the small path to your right and onto the interesting rocky outcrop of Fairbrook Naze. The views here are sensational and really encourages you to feel the wilderness of this area. It’s the perfect place for lunch to take everything in while looking back down on the scramble you’ve just completed.
Once you reach the plateau at the top, retracing your steps back down is an option but there are plenty of other routes to make this into a circular back to Snake Woodlands too which will require some independent planning. However, if, like me, you’re a big fan of a scramble, then I recommend linking this one with Nether Red Brook – keep an eye out for the next blog with all the details you’ll need to tie in the two scrambles to make an awesome day out in the Peaks.
2: Footbridge below end of woodlands to cross over the river
3: A series of waterfall pools
4: Beginning of the steeper, rocky scrambling section
5: Top of Fairbrook Naze marking the end of the scramble
Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Top Tips for scrambling Fairbrook Naze
The parking area in Snake Woodlands fills up quickly on a nice day so be sure to get there early or late in the day for any chance of parking
There are no facilities on this route or in the car park
The scramble is slippery in places and requires sure footedness and confidence on rough, scrambly terrain.
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, don’t forget to subscribe, check out my other blog posts here and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.
The Edale Skyline, a circular loop which winds its way around the hills either side of the Edale Valley, is a spectacular long-distance hiking challenge. On this 20 mile route, you take in several summits and will finish by walking along the glorious Great Ridge before descending back down to the valley floor. If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful views in the Peak District and want to push yourself then look no further than the Edale Skyline!
Key information for the Edale Skyline
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Distance: 33.5km/20.8miles
Total ascent: 1128m
Est Time: 8-12 hours depending on speed, fitness and rest breaks
Cost: £3 for all day parking with the RingGo app. Correct at time of writing (July 2023).
Dog friendly: Only if fit, healthy and able to walk long distances.
Key features: summits of Win Hill, Brown Knoll, Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill, rock formations towards the Kinder Scout plateau.
Edale, the little village nestled below the watchful eye of Kinder Scout and at the end of the Edale Valley, is an incredibly popular destination with walkers, runners, cyclists and the odd few hundred tourists. On a sunny summer’s day, the village is bustling with crowds of people and the surrounding hills alive with cheerful and jubilant walkers. Its popularity is easy to understand when you take into account its accessibility; 30 minutes from Manchester and Sheffield with a train station if you’re coming by public transport. This isn’t an area you head to if you want a peaceful, isolated hike but on the Edale Skyline you will find that some sections are much quieter than others. My friend Zoe and I completed this route under the warm Spring sunshine and only really bumped into the crowds near the popular sections of Kinder Scout and Mam Tor.
The Edale Skyline is a popular fell running face but that doesn’t mean you need to be a trail runner to attempt this route. On a clear and calm day, the Edale Skyline can be an excellent first time, long-distance hiking route with clear paths and relatively straight-forward navigation. This route starts from Hope Train Station and takes in the summits of Win hill, Brown Knoll Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill but also passes by an array of interesting rock formations, historical sites and famous locations along the way.
The route can be started from multiple places but this route starts from Hope Station, one of the more popular starting points.
Route Details for the Edale Skyline hiking challenge
Upon leaving the car park at Hope Train Station you head over the bridge which crosses the train track and follow the stream, uphill, through the fields. Eventually, you reach a stile on your right which you cross allowing you to cut across another farmers field until you reach a track called Parsons Lane. Following this road will take you to a small hamlet called Aston and you eventually reach a right or left turn. Turn right onto Thornhill Lane then immediately left through the trees (look for the public footpath sign). Once you’re on the public footpath, it’s simply a matter of following the path slowly uphill to the summit of Win Hill. From here, the views are stunning down into the valley and behind to Ladybower Reservoir and you can make out part of the route you’ll be doing towards the end of the day too.
Win Hill is a great little one to start with; it gets the legs warmed up and you’ll have done a chunk of elevation to start the day. We were even treated to a stunning cloud inversion during our attempt!
From the summit of Win Hill, the path takes you along the edge of a section of woodland, which for those budding historians, is actually where an old Roman Road to Hope begins. This road crosses the ridge of Win Hill and is a wide and well-defined path. Eventually, you reach the historic landmark of Hope Cross, a packhorse waymarker which would have been used in the past for directional guidance. Thank god we have maps now, eh?
Leaving Hope Cross behind you, your next hill to tackle is Crookstone Hill for which you head up the hillside to your left shortly after leaving Hope Cross. Look for the tree on its own and you’ll be on the right track! The path here rises gently uphill before topping out above a rocky outcrop and onto the ridge above the valley beneath you. There is only one path to follow here and it eventually leads you towards Ringing Roger (an eroded rock that gets its name from the sound it makes when the wind blows over it) and some fascinating rock formations on Upper Tor. This is my favourite place for a little snack and photo stop as the views back down the valley and across to Mam Tor are breathtaking on a clear day.
Continuing on the path, you’ll see Grindsbrook Clough in front of you (a great, scrambly route for another day) before making a sharp right turn and crossing over a small stream and back again. Heading away from this area, you’ll now find yourself on Edale Moor and below the Kinder Scout plateau which is probably when you start to notice many, many, many more people. This section can feel wild at times especially when the cold wind bites and whistles through your bones. It’s quite exposed and can feel long after the hiking so far, therefore this is another section that is nice to take a quick pit stop on. There’s some wonderful rock formations too along here called The Woolpacks, Pym Chair and Noe Stool that you’ll probably find yourself getting distracted by. These rock formations were formed over 320 millions years ago when the UK was actually located on the Earth’s equator when eroded material was deposited into the Pennine Basin. The rocks now have been weathered over thousands of years to form some remarkable shapes.
Your next checkpoint is the trig of Brown Knoll but this path can be a real joy killer. After leaving Edale Moor behind you and passing the descent of Jacob’s Ladder, the path winds through boggy moorland along a series of, what feels like never-ending, paving slabs. Reaching the trig is a welcome sight but don’t get too comfortable because you’ve got another never ending section of stone paving slabs in front of you again.
At the end of this section, you head left up a stony track and soon you are rewarded with the wondrous, and famous, view of Rushup Edge and Mam Tor in the distance. This section really feels like the home straight and you’ll start to feel that buzz of accomplishment seep in as you realise that this is the final section.
The Great Ridge and Mam Tor is iconic to the Peak District and this final section of the walk, once you cross the road, takes in the whole of the ridge, up Back Tor and along to Lose Hill. Mam Tor, meaning “Mother Hill” attracts hordes of walkers, experienced and beginners alike, who flock here to soak up the joy of this ridge. This will be the busiest section yet but the views make up for that and as you pass over the ridge, the views on each side down to Edale on one side and Castleton on the other are something special.
In the past, Mam Tor was a place of ancient civilisation with occupation believed to be from around 1200BC. The summit has two ancient hill forts, Bronze Age burials nearby and archaeological artefacts have also been recovered here. Read more about the ancient history of Mam Tor here.
The path along the Great Ridge is paved and incredibly well maintained that your feet will thank you for the easy work along here. Your final destination is the toposcope of Lose Hill, marking pretty much the end of the skyline (you just need to find enough energy to make it back to the car now). Soak in the views from here and take a moment to look back at the whole route you have covered that day; it’s a real accomplishment so allow yourself to be proud of your achievements.
Once you’re ready to leave the challenge behind you, head down hill, keeping left and not crossing the stile, back down towards Losehill Farm and the road that follows the river into the village of Hope. This road section is your final part of the walk and soon you’ll find yourself at the main road where you turn left and head back towards the train station.
This is a really wonderful route and is a great one for your first long distance challenge and one that will keep you coming back for another go time and time again even if you hear yourself uttering the words “never again” as you soothe your blister ridden feet and achy legs at the end of the day.
6: The Great Ridge and the summit of Mam Tor (517m)
7: Back Tor
8: The summit of Lose Hill (476m and the last summit of the day)
Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Top Tips for The Edale Skyline
Arrive at the car park early in the morning as it fills up quickly
The Edale Skyline requires a good level of fitness and it is important to ensure you have practised some longer distance walking over rough terrain and with ascent before attempting the Edale Skyline
As this is a long distance circular loop there aren’t many options to shorten the route.
There are no facilities on this walk
Most paths are obvious as you are following the edge however in poor weather, navigation could become harder and a wrong turn could be likely
Remember – the Peak District is a beautiful location that we want to keep beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Practise “Leave no Trace” and take all your rubbish home with you.
For more UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.
This 4km loop is one of the most incredible walks in the Peak District. The stunning River Wye offers up an astonishing amount of natural beauty; from lush, green rolling countryside to a 200ft beautifully craggy limestone gorge, an abandoned quarry and historical lime kilns as well as THOSE famous stepping-stones. If you enjoy wild swimming, then this is definitely a walk I would remember to pack my swimming costume for!
At a glance
Distance: 3.83km/2.4miles
Est Time: 1 hour (not including any rest or swim breaks)
Starting location: Miller’s Dale Car Park, SK17 8SN
Cost: £4.75 for all day parking (coins or card). Correct at time of writing (June 2023).
Difficulty: Easy – this route is well signposted with obvious paths however it can be slippery after rain and incredibly muddy. With some of the paths heading across rocks and down a couple of rocky slopes and alongside the river some sure-footedness is required. The elevation is only 60m so this would be suitable for all levels of fitness. Be mindful that in wet weather, some of the route may be underwater therefore to enjoy this walk for its full potential, it would be best enjoyed during dry weather.
Dog friendly: Absolutely! With lots of places for your beloved pooch to cool off in and with the walk being relatively short, it’s definitely dog friendly.
Key features: Abandoned quarry and lime kiln, Chee Dale limestone gorge and stepping stones, Monsal Trail tunnels.
England’s ever popular Peak District, with its varied terrain and picturesque rolling hills is a place worthy of its popularity. In the middle of the Peak District, known more readily as the White Peak and not too far from Buxton, lies Chee Dale; a stunning, and at times magical feeling, limestone gorge that hugs the winding Wye River. Hidden below the Monsal Trail lies this accessible trail that really packs a punch into such a short walk.
Route details for Chee Dale circular walk
The walk starts from Miller’s Dale Car Park (a large paid car park with enough space for 80 cars) and the location of an abandoned railway junction. The railway station was built in 1863 by the Midland Railway and served as a junction for trains between London and Manchester. The station closed in 1967 but the once derelict building has now been renovated and serves as a self-guided centre called The Goods Shed where you can find out more about its rich history. Location 1 on map below.
From here you follow signs for Buxton and head along the Monsal Trail (watch out for cyclists) surrounded by woodland on each side of you. On your right you’ll see a sign for the “top of lime kilns” and following this will lead you into the disused quarry where cliffs tower above you. There isn’t an awful lot to see here but once you rejoin the path, you’ll eventually reach the old limekilns. Location 2 on map below.
The abandoned lime kilns were in use from 1880 until 1944 and produced over 50 tonnes of quicklime per day but today the kilns are home to wildlife including swifts which nest in the boxes secured high up on the buttresses. Inside the kilns you can see the remains of fireplaces where the burning process took place and keep an eye out for hibernating bats in winter too!
Carrying on down the Monsal Trail you’ll reach a bridge (you might even be lucky enough to see people abseiling off it) with a stepped path down the side leading to the riverbank (Location 3 on map). It’s signposted Chee Dale and you want to follow this down to the riverside. At the river, don’t cross under the bridge and instead head upstream. The next couple of miles take you alongside the stunning River Wye as it makes its way along the valley. The surrounding nature, wildlife, flowers, wild garlic and trees are worth stopping to enjoy as the scenery then changes quickly. There are also some great swimming spots around here if you want to have a quick dip!
As you head deeper into Chee Dale Nature Reserve the limestone gorge starts to tower over you with rocks and the cliff face hanging overhead. You might notice climbing equipment drilled into the limestone here or if you’re lucky, maybe a brave soul making their way up the wall. This section of the walk is jaw-dropping and you really feel so small standing under these huge cliff faces. Location 4 on map.
Now the bit you’ve been waiting for – the stepping-stones! The line of stepping-stones is quite long and you may have to turn around if you bump into someone coming the other way at the same time. There are excellent photo opportunities here and the stepping-stones really add a bit of childish fun into the walk. It’s worth noting that they can become covered in heavy rain and there’s also another set of stepping-stones about another mile up the river but this route misses those out. Location 5 on map.
After the stepping-stones, the path continues up river for a short distance until you cross under a viaduct and see a path cutting left up the hillside. If you follow this path, it will lead you onto the viaduct above and the entrance to the Chee Dale Tunnel looms in front of you (location 6 on map). This tunnel forms part of the 8.5 mile Monsal Trail, a spectacular traffic-free route suitable for cycling, walking and horse riding between Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale and Coombs Road in Bakewell. Following this tunnel will lead you all the way back to the car park at Miller’s Dale where you started.
Map and key locations for Chee Dale and the Stepping Stones
To access the route on the OS Maps App click here and you can download the route to your phone.
Locations
1: Parking at Miller’s Dale
2: Disused quarry and lime kiln on the right of the path
3: Path down to the riverbank underneath the viaduct
4: Limestone gorge at Chee Dale
5: Chee Dale stepping-stones
6: Path back up to the next viaduct and the entrance to the Chee Tor tunnel that will lead you back to the car park
Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
Top Tips for visiting Chee Dale and the stepping stones
Arrive at the car park early or later on in the day. Even though it is a large car park, it’s a popular location so it does fill up quickly especially during weekends and school holidays.
In or after bad weather the river level will rise and the stepping-stones will likely be under water so I’d probably save this one for after a period of dry weather.
Some of the banks can become quite slippery in wet weather so caution is needed in these sections.
After your visit, I recommend heading into Bakewell (not too far down the road) and making a naughty stop off at Cake Corner – an absolutely delightful shop selling a delicious selection of handmade cakes. You won’t regret it, trust me!
Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.
