Guide Friend Outings Great Walks

Top 5 Peak District Hikes

The Peak District has some of England’s best walking, and these five hikes show why. Each one is a proper day out, with big views and real terrain that rewards the effort you put in. They’re all within easy reach of Birmingham, spread across the national park from Edale in the north to Ashbourne in the south.

Pick one based on what you fancy. After a quick drive and a straightforward walk, you’ll understand why people keep coming back to these same peaks and ridges.

Spotted by @yoshandtils

Make a plan from this

Picks 5 places
Good forserious walkers and hikers
Best timespring through early autumn, avoiding peak summer weekends
Spend£0 per person
1 Open now Peak Bagging and Moorland Walking

Kinder Scout via Jacob’s Ladder Opening hours
Mon 00:00 to 23:59
Tue 00:00 to 23:59
Wed 00:00 to 23:59
Thu 00:00 to 23:59
Fri 00:00 to 23:59
Sat 00:00 to 23:59
Sun 00:00 to 23:59

Trail Edale £0.00 - £0.00

A classic Peak District moorland hike to the highest point in the national park, ascending via ancient stone steps.

Why it made the list: Jacob's Ladder is one of the Peak District's most recognisable ascents, ancient stone steps cutting through the moorland to Kinder Scout's summit plateau. It's the obvious choice if you want to tick off the national park's highest point.

2 ★ Open now Ridge Walking with Proper Views

Mam Tor and The Great Ridge Opening hours
Mon 00:00 to 23:59
Tue 00:00 to 23:59
Wed 00:00 to 23:59
Thu 00:00 to 23:59
Fri 00:00 to 23:59
Sat 00:00 to 23:59
Sun 00:00 to 23:59

Trail Castleton £0.00 - £0.00

One of the Peak District's finest ridge walks, linking two iconic peaks with panoramic views.

Why it made the list: Mam Tor and The Great Ridge delivers the kind of walk that makes you understand why people love the Peak District. The ridge between the two peaks is exposed and dramatic, with views across multiple valleys on a clear day.

3 Open now Gritstone Edges and Space

Stanage Edge Opening hours
Mon 00:00 to 23:59
Tue 00:00 to 23:59
Wed 00:00 to 23:59
Thu 00:00 to 23:59
Fri 00:00 to 23:59
Sat 00:00 to 23:59
Sun 00:00 to 23:59

Trail Hathersage £0.00 - £0.00

A four-mile gritstone ridge above Hathersage with jaw-dropping Hope Valley views, world-class climbing and wide moorland walking.

Why it made the list: Stanage Edge is a proper gritstone ridge that stretches for miles above the Hope Valley. The walking is straightforward but the landscape feels wild, and the views across Derbyshire never let up.

4 Open now Limestone Scenery and Famous Landmarks

Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud Opening hours
Mon 09:00 to 19:30
Tue 09:00 to 19:30
Wed 09:00 to 19:30
Thu 09:00 to 19:30
Fri 09:00 to 19:30
Sat 09:00 to 19:30
Sun 09:00 to 19:30

Trail Ashbourne £0.00 - £0.00

Iconic Peak District circular walk featuring limestone gorge, famous stepping stones and panoramic summit views.

Why it made the list: Dovedale is the Peak District's most iconic gorge walk, with the famous stepping stones and Thorpe Cloud summit giving you legitimate highlights along the way. It's busier than the moorland walks but the limestone landscape is genuinely distinctive.

5 Open now Pennine Way Walking and Remote Moorland

Bleaklow via Snake Pass Opening hours
Mon 00:00 to 23:59
Tue 00:00 to 23:59
Wed 00:00 to 23:59
Thu 00:00 to 23:59
Fri 00:00 to 23:59
Sat 00:00 to 23:59
Sun 00:00 to 23:59

Trail Glossop £0.00 - £0.00

Moorland hiking to Bleaklow Head and Higher Shelf Stones via the Pennine Way.

Why it made the list: Bleaklow is less crowded than the other peaks and feels properly remote. The walk along the Pennine Way to Higher Shelf Stones gives you a real taste of high moorland hiking without the tourist infrastructure.