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England: Peak District – 4 nights
From mills to hills – the story of Kinder Scout
Back to Routes
Ascending towards 'Ringing Roger'
An evening swim at Hathersage
Stanage Edge and Hathersage (photo: Andrew Hill - cc-by-sa/2.0)
Meadows at Edale
The grave of 'Little John' at Hathersage (photo: Michael Dibb - cc-by-sa/2.0)
Mam Tor from Lose Hill (photo: Andrew Tryon - cc-by-sa/2.0)
A sunny day on Kinder Scout
At a glance
4-night option including a walk up on Stanage Edge. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Yorkshire Dales, Welsh Borders
Dogs permitted, with some alternative accommodations. Be aware that the many stiles on the route make bringing larger dogs impractical, and the boggy conditions on some days may make the going tough for smaller ones!
How much walking?
Full days: 12½-18km, 3½-5hrs walking
Using shortening options: from no walking (using buses or the train service) to 4hrs
From mills to hills - the story of Kinder Scout
An ascent of 2100ft Kinder Scout is an essential rite of passage for anyone who takes their walking seriously. It is here that, in 1932, ramblers from Manchester and Sheffield met in a “mass trespass” to claim their right to leave those smoky conurbations and walk unhindered on open moorland, an act that would lead eventually to the creation of the National Parks – indeed the Peak District was the first to be designated such (in 1951).
This shorter version of the route starts in Hathersage close to the edge of the “Dark Peak”, which you will climb the following day to experience the wild clifftop at Stanage Edge. You are properly in the Peak District, and the next walk alongside the Derwent River and into its ‘Win’ and ‘Lose’ hills brings a sense of arrival to your goal.
We have chosen the pretty village of Edale as your home for the final two nights, “base camp” for your assault on Kinder Scout. However, if the weather is poor a lower level walk to Castleton and its Blue John caves is also offered.
Just as in 1932, you can arrive and depart by train (and indeed this is recommended).
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Debbie and Emma
Consider pairing with Yorkshire Dales (3 hrs by train and bus) or Welsh Borders (4 hrs by train and taxi) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.
Route Highlights
- Kinder Scout
- Stanage Edge
- The Blue John caverns around Castleton
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Villages and farms, Woods, Archaeology, Dog friendly, Drive to route, History
We Recommend
An extra night in Edale to give you the choice of walking Kinder Scout and taking in Mam Tor and Castleton.
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: from no walking (using buses or the train service) to 4hrs
Some national and local trail marking. Highest point on route 630m. Often boggy underfoot.
Medium-hard: Average Cumulative Uphill Stretches (CUSs) 760m per day (CUSs 680m per day using shortening options).
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.
On Foot Holidays Companion app available from 2025, for GPS navigation/mapping and all other documentation and advice. Separate GPX files for your own device also available.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: late April, May, June, early July, September, October
Other possible months: late July, August
This route is bookable throughout the spring, summer and autumn, though avoid the summer holidays if possible (but we can always try for you) as the Peaks are a popular destination and the paths will be anything but quiet; summer weekends may necessitate a two night stay in some accommodations.
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Hathersage
Arrive, settle in to your accommodation and explore the town. Decide upon your restaurant for tonight's meal to fuel you before the walking starts tomorrow!
Day 2 - Hathersage to Stanage Edge circuit
A fairly gentle ascent to just below the Edge with far reaching views down the Hope Valley (Medium: (4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 14 km (9 miles), CUSs 620m)
Alternative: Stay in Hathersage and explore the town – perhaps a swim in the community pool?
Day 3 - Hathersage to Edale
A day for wide views and peak bagging, should you so wish, with two possibilities – Win and Lose (yes!), or a shortening lower level river walk option, missing ‘Win’. (Hard: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 18¾ km (11½ miles), CUSs 845m)
Alternative: Shortening option via Brough (saves 1 hour, nearly 5 km and the Win Hill ascent!); or take a bus to Hope (saving 3 hrs) and walk on from there; or take the train from Hathersage all the way to Edale.
Day 4 - Kinder Scout circuit
Attempt this day only in good weather – check the forecast for Kinder Scout itself, and look at the top … if there is mist on the top, don’t assume that it will disappear as the sun comes out in the valley below. If the weather is fine, though, this is an exhilarating and thrilling day – and you’re unlikely to be alone on the top. (Hard: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 13 km (8 miles), CUSs 650m)
Alternative: If the weather is poor, stay in Edale or do our circuit to Castleton and back via Mam Tor, taking refuge in the caverns en route! (Medium: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs), 10¾ km (6½ miles), CUSs 660m)
Depart for home
An easy walk to the train station at Edale for your onward journey. But why not add an extra night to explore further the district’s delights?
Travel Information
This route is easily accessible by train, the recommended method.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
For 6-night versions or longer, a train to Cromford is the obvious way to arrive at the route if staying in Cromford from other parts of the UK, followed by a 20 min level walk. If staying in Bonsall, a train to Matlock is best, unless you’re arriving late in the day, in which case a train to Chesterfield and taxi from there is recommended. (We cannot pre-book the taxi, but can suggest possible companies.)
For shorter options starting at Hathersage, the station there is a short walk from our accommodation.
At the end the station at Edale (Manchester to Sheffield line) is within walking distance of your accommodation.
Nearest railway stations:
Start: Cromford (if staying there), Matlock (if staying in Bonsall); Hathersage for shorter options
Finish: Edale
Sample journeys by rail:
To Cromford (start): London St Pancras ~2 hrs, Edinburgh 5 hrs, Manchester 2½ hrs
From Edale (end): London Euston or St Pancras 3¼ hrs, Edinburgh 4½ hrs, Manchester 45 minutes.
We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.
ARRIVING BY CAR
For 6-or 7-night versions we recommend leaving your car at the start of the route (no formal parking arrangements, but Rugby Club car park suggested as near Cromford station, pay locally, or if staying at Oakhill, park at our accommodation there), then train back at the end (2½ hrs) or taxi (1 hr).
For 3- and 4-night versions cars can be left on-street in Hathersage (no secure parking available but it’s a quiet town), returning by train (15 minute journey).
Pre-bookable taxi prices can be found in “Prices”.
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best airports for international flights are the London airports or Manchester, followed by a train to the start (see above).
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
Getting to the start of the walk
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Our standard accommodation on this route is a mix of friendly B&Bs and inns; the upgrades offer a little taste of luxury (and will add around £300 pp to a 7 night holiday price). All are very happy welcoming walkers, although please don’t be offended if asked to remove muddy boots on arrival!
Night 1 & 2
Hathersage – Little John Hotel (B&B)
Friendly, no nonsense pub, popular with locals. Refurbished 2021.
Night 1 & 2 (Upgrade)
500-year-old building mixing contemporary styling and old features. Excellent food and drink.
Night 3 & 4
Friendly accommodation with good beer and pub food. Very popular with walkers.
Hathersage – Little John Hotel (B&B)
Friendly, no nonsense pub, popular with locals. Refurbished 2021.
Website
Hathersage – The George (B&B)
500-year-old building mixing contemporary styling and old features. Excellent food and drink.
Website
Edale – The Rambler Inn (B&B)
Friendly accommodation with good beer and pub food. Very popular with walkers.
Website
Prices
Total 4 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers’ Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Also included: On Foot Holidays Companion app (from 2025), providing navigation/mapping and digital version of the Walkers’ Pack as above. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. If choosing to walk with app only (no printed materials): Discount of £40 per pack (based on one pack per room) from 2025.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £300
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £120
Maximum party size: 8
Add Ons
Upgrade accommodation possible on some nights: Contact On Foot Holidays
Extra nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays
Taxi from Matlock Town station to Bonsall: Call us for details of local taxis to book
Sending Walkers’ Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Our local team
Richard Tucker
Richard Tucker and his wife Laetitia are lifelong enthusiastic walkers, and in recent years they have enjoyed On Foot walks on the continent and in the UK. As importantly, though, they have explored the footpaths and trails, meadows, hills and moorland of the Peak District over many years, and have worked with our staff team to create a route comprising the best the region has to offer.
