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Family of three walking through Longshaw during Autumn
Family enjoying Autumn at Longshaw | © ©National Trust Images/Robert Morris

Walking in the Peak District and Derbyshire

From peaks and lakeside paths to expanses of moorland, the Peak District and Derbyshire are perfect for walkers of all abilities. Plan your hike amid the scenery of Britain's first national park and beyond.

Top walks in the Peak District and Derbyshire

Autumn trees with atmospheric light at Kedleston
Trail
Trail

Kedleston – long walk 

This picturesque walk offers impressive views of the gardens and the back of the Hall, as well as a good perspective of the size of Kedleston Park.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.2 (km: 5.12)
A steep sided mountain with a valley below in low early evening light. Two walkers in silhouette are just about discernible on the top of the mountain.
Trail
Trail

Mam Tor circular walk 

This circular walk from Mam Tor in the Peak District takes in some of the most dramatic scenery in the Edale Valley.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
A red deer stag bellowing among the autumnal bracken at Longshaw, with a view of the open countryside in the background and a bare tree on the left
Trail
Trail

Frogatt, Curbar and White Edge red deer circular walk 

A circular walk with views across the expanse of Derbyshire's Big Moor, a chance to spot red deer and the option to take a break for a pint and some pub grub halfway round.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)
Image shows a close-up of a gatepost along the Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey, with a shared trail sign and waymarker on the post, with two walkers out of focus in the background
Trail
Trail

The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey 

The Tramway Trail at Calke Abbey is an accessible, multi-use trail with a figure-of-eight route, so you can explore the wider estate at your own pace.

Activities
Walking, Cycling
DistanceMiles: 3.7 (km: 5.92) to miles: 6.3 (km: 10.08)
A view of the water tower, positioned on a slight grassy hill with a large tree to the left at Staunton Harold
Trail
Trail

Calke Abbey to Staunton Harold trail 

Enjoy a leisurely walk from Calke Abbey to nearby Staunton Harold, with views over the reservoir, arable fields and woodland.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.7 (km: 2.72)
Barren moorland hills bathed in the warm glow of a sunrise or sunset with a path leading into the distance from the right-hand side of the image.
Trail
Trail

Kinder Scout mass trespass walk 

Follow in the footsteps of the 500+ mass trespassers who, in 1932, walked from Hayfield to Kinder Scout in the Derbyshire Peak District to secure access rights to the countryside for all.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)
View from William Clough, on the flanks of Kinder Scout, Derbyshire
Trail
Trail

Below Kinder Scout: A circular walk around Kinder reservoir 

This 5.2-mile circular walk takes in the tree-lined avenues around Hayfield as well as the heather-covered moors of Kinder Scout and the reservoir.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.2 (km: 8.32)
A couple and their dog walking on a flagstone path among gentle green hills on a grey, drizzly day
Trail
Trail

Edale Circular Walk 

This low level walk through the Vale of Edale leads you through vast, open fields as well as parts of the Pennine Way, following streams and stone-flagged paths.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.4 (km: 5.44)

More top walks in the Peak District and Derbyshire

Dovedale, Derbyshire, Midlands
Trail
Trail

Ilam Park to Dovedale Stepping Stones trail 

Explore the White Peak with a walk from Ilam Park to the stepping stones at Dovedale.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Two hills in the background and rolling green fields with grazing sheep in the foreground on a sunny winter day
Trail
Trail

Ilam Park to Wetton circular walk 

A scenic walk from Ilam Hall and Park that goes via the River Manifold and River Hamps, taking in stunning views of limestone rock formations on the way.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 10 (km: 16)
A path through dense low-level green trees and shrubs with blue sky.
Trail
Trail

Manifold Valley walk 

A 10-mile walk around the River Manifold valley that takes in Thor's Cave, and other distinct landscape features in Dovedale and Ilam Park.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 10 (km: 16)
Views of the Derbyshire countryside at Hardwick
Trail
Trail

Hardwick wider estate walk 

Discover parts of the Hardwick Hall estate often missed, on this wider estate walk through beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.7 (km: 9.12)
Visitors walking through paths on the Hardwick Hall estate surrounded by autumn leaves
Trail
Trail

A gentle walk around Hardwick 

A short walk around Hardwick in Derbyshire taking in the surrounding woodlands and ancient park.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6) to miles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Two people run along a gravel track at the Longshaw Estate in Derbyshire on a sunny winters day
Trail
Trail

Longshaw Ranger Run 

Run through ancient woods, open moors, and farmland on this 6km (3.8 miles) trail around the Longshaw estate in the Peak District, looking out for wildlife and Bronze Age history.

Activities
Running
DistanceMiles: 3.8 (km: 6.08)

Even more top walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District

A blue and purple sky reflected in a large expanse of water with a small silhouetted jetty jutting into the water on the bottom left and a silhouetted twiggy tree branch in the top left. In the distance are snow-capped hills, bathing in morning sunlight.
Trail
Trail

Derwent Valley and reservoir walk 

This walk takes you through key Peak District habitats including farmland, alongside the Ladybower Reservoir and up to the moors for panoramic views of the High Peak.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.6 (km: 7.36)
View from the top of Jacobs Ladder, Kinder Scout, Derbyshire
Trail
Trail

Kinder Scout circular walk 

Leave the car behind on this exhilarating walk that starts from Edale train station and takes you high up on the windswept Kinder Plateau. Plan your walk before you leave home, so that your visit is one that is enjoyable and kind to the landscape at the same time.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 7.5 (km: 12)
In a beautiful maze of trees down at Padley Gorge
Trail
Trail

Longshaw woodland explorer walk 

Plan your walk before you leave home, so that your visit is one that is enjoyable and kind to the landscape at the same time.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Three smiling women walking along a meadow path flanked by purple heather
Trail
Trail

Padley Gorge and Burbage Brook walk 

An easy 2.3-mile circular walk around Longshaw meadow that goes along Burbage Brook and near Longshaw pond, as well as through the ancient woodland at Padley Gorge.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.3 (km: 3.68)
A child among the trees at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Trail
Trail

New woodland walk at Calke Abbey 

Take a peaceful stroll through the historic parkland of Calke Abbey into Casey's Plantation, a new area of woodland where over 10,000 young trees are now growing.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

All walking in the Peak District and Derbyshire

    A blue and purple sky reflected in a large expanse of water with a small silhouetted jetty jutting into the water on the bottom left and a silhouetted twiggy tree branch in the top left. In the distance are snow-capped hills, bathing in morning sunlight.

    Discover more in the Peak District and Derbyshire

    Historic houses, arts and crafts cottages and the spectacular Peak District make up this varied part of the Midlands.