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Peak District Walks
Whether you are a long distance rambler, a hilltop hiker, a Sunday stroller, or an enthusiastic pedestrian preferring to explore urban or village life there will be Peak District Walks to suit you. The Peak District offers a diverse and delightful mixture of countryside to explore, from rugged moorlands to special walkers footpaths and trails. Alternatively there are easier paths to pursue, especially around the White Peak where walkers can descend into the Derbyshire Dales and follow riverside paths, woodland tracks or simply cross fields and stiles over an undulating landscape with glorious far-reaching views. The area’s carefully managed Peak District Walks means that you can enjoy an environment where the balance between visitors and the conservation and preservation of its countryside, flora, fauna and wildlife is exactly right. The majority of paths, tracks and rights of way are clearly way-marked and have accessible stiles or gates which are well maintained and regularly monitored. Erosion of popular paths is controlled by introducing hard-wearing protection such as the thousands of Yorkshire slabs which have been painstakingly laid over several moors and popular paths in the Dark Peak area. Not only do these protect the landscape, but they also make walking across bleak and hazardous moorland much safer and more accessible. The Peak District and Derbyshire are criss-crossed by recognised routes and paths for ramblers such as The Limestone Way, The Midshires Way, The Pennine Bridleway, The Derwent Valley Heritage Way and the southernmost stretch of the famous but indomitable Pennine Way. Then there are the disused railway lines running through the heart of the White Peak countryside which have been utilised and transformed into the Tissington Trail, the Monsal Trail and High Peak Trail. Derbyshire may not have a coastline, but it does have some glorious reservoirs set in beautiful countryside, where you can find many waterside paths and tracks that are easy to follow and some which are pushchair and wheelchair friendly. A visit to Carsington Water in the south of the region can provide a whole day of entertainment, especially if you decide to walk the eight-mile lap around the Water’s edge. Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs can be found in the Dark Peak, set amidst wooded valleys beneath heather clad moors dotted with the occasional boulder and outcrop of gritstone rocks that have strange sounding names like The Salt Cellar or Cakes of Bread. If you are not sure what route you would like to take there are plenty of rangers and guides to be had even regular ‘guided health walks’ from leisure centres at various locations about the county and organised hikes and rambles which are often free of charge. Whatever types of Peak District Walks you choose to take part in you can be sure of some spectacular scenery and wonderful views.
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