Best trails in Peak District National Park
Founded in 1951, Peak District National Park is the first established national park in the UK. It is spread throughout five counties, including Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester. The park covers 555 square miles and hosts over 13 million visitors per year. The Peak District is divided into the White Peak and the Dark Peak, offering a diverse landscape with limestone formations, glacial dales, gritstone edges, moorlands, and more. Kinder Scout, the highest point in the park, holds historical significance as the site of the Mass Trespass in 1932, which fueled the right-to-roam movement and led to the establishment of national parks in the UK. Mam Tor, also known as the Shivering Mountain, and the Roaches are iconic hills in the park. The Dark Peak features impressive gritstone edges like Bamford Edge, Derwent Edge, and Stanage Edge, which provide climbing and bouldering opportunities. The park also boasts fascinating caves, reservoirs, nature reserves, and railway paths.
Top trails
Trail reviews for Peak District National Park
This was a wonderfully easy and scenic circular walk of around 7 miles, starting and finishing in Great Longstone. From the village, we followed quiet lanes and footpaths across rolling fields to Ashford-in-the-Water, famous for its medieval stone bridge and crystal-clear River Wye. We then carried on to Bakewell, walking along peaceful tracks with beautiful countryside views. Bakewell made the perfect halfway stop for a coffee (or a cheeky Bakewell pudding!) before heading back towards Great Longstone. The return route gave us more open vistas of the White Peak landscape and a gentle approach back into the village — a really satisfying loop. There are a couple of small stretches of road but very short and not bothersome. Dog was off the lead a lot of the time with no issues. ⸻ Difficulty • Grade: Easy • Mostly flat, with gentle rolling sections — no challenging climbs. • A mix of good paths, tracks, and quiet country lanes. Highlights • Pretty villages with stone cottages and ancient bridges. • Classic Peak District scenery — open fields, drystone walls, and wide views. • A stop in Ashford in the water or Bakewell for refreshments. • Tranquil, road-free walking for most of the route. Good to Know • Around 2.5–3 hours walking time at a steady pace. • Can be muddy after wet weather, so sturdy shoes recommended. • Ideal for a leisurely day out — dog-friendly, with plenty of places to pause for photos or a snack
This trail is great, has a bit of everything- hills, boulders, forests, and streams. Some beautiful silver birch forests and ancient moss covered trees, and tors overlooking great swathes of the Peak District. Parking is easy to get to as well and not too far from Hathersage where you can get a bite to eat and a coffee.
The Mam Tor circular trail in the Peak District is an absolute gem. It’s the perfect blend of manageable effort and maximum reward. The climb to the summit is short but sweet, and once you’re up there, the panoramic views stretch across the Hope Valley, Kinder Scout, and even out towards Edale. Honestly, it feels like standing on top of a giant green wave frozen in time. The trail itself is really well-kept, with a mix of stone paths, grassy tracks, and gentle ridges. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and Instagram-friendly (let’s be real—that ridge shot is a must). On a clear day, it feels like you can see forever, but even if the clouds roll in, the mist adds this magical, moody vibe that makes the landscape feel straight out of a fantasy novel. What I loved most was how varied the walk felt—one minute you’re striding along the Great Ridge with the wind in your hair, the next you’re dipping into rolling valleys that feel peaceful and secluded. It’s not too strenuous, so you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy it, but you still get that “heck yeah, I conquered a mountain!” satisfaction at the end. Overall? 10/10. A must-do hike in the Peak District. Take your walking boots, a picnic, and a camera—you’ll thank yourself later.
Luds church is beautiful . Superb views from the ridge. Don't miss this walk if you come to the peak district. Few broken stiles. Would be tricky with a dog.
Another fantastic Peak District walk, luds church was breathtaking…a brilliant opportunity to take some photos! -Kyle, amateur walker
Fantastic walk. Best one we have done so far off here. Went Bank Holdiah weekend in August. Trail was busy in places especially where the rocks were. Easy doing it anti- clockwise as some parts were tricky to climb up if doing it the other way. Beautiful views over the Peak District great photo opportunities. Will do this one again