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In this post our trustees, staff, supporters and volunteers share their favourite walks in the Peak District. We’ve tried to choose some less well known gems, to help you socially distance in the Peak and avoid the crowds, enjoy!

We’d love to hear about your favourite walk in the Peak District, comment on our social media or email hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk.

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Peak District National Park Foundation Trustee Andrew McCloy talks about a favourite walk in the White Peak away from the crowds.

‘Although the Peak District can seem incredibly busy at times, there are always places nearby where you can find peace and quiet. So, when everyone heads for Bakewell, Hartington and Dovedale, just a few miles away is a delightful route through Long Dale and Gratton Dale, rich in flowers and birds, that you may well have all to yourself. The walking is straightforward, but Gratton Dale can be muddy after rain, and this circular route is around 7 miles (11km) long.

From the National Park car park on the High Peak Trail at Friden, turn right on to the road, go under the bridge and at the first bend take the signposted path on the right into Long Dale. The road is soon left behind and beyond a couple of fields the limestone dale becomes treeless and much wilder. The route initially takes to the high slopes, before dropping down along its narrow grassy bottom. Look out for some intriguing but discreet public artwork, part of the local Sites of Meaning project.

At the very far end of the dale swing left into Gratton Dale, more scrubby and wooded, where there is usually lots of birdlife. Also look out for a range of wild flowers along the way, including cowslips, orchids, mountain pansy and scabious.

Finally the path emerges at the hamlet of Gratton, where you should turn left along the lane, forking left again by the Old Cheese Factory for a scenic, high level route with lovely views down Bradford Dale towards Youlgrave.

Just past Smerrill Grange, at the tight bend, turn left off the lane for a bridleway which soon heads out across the hilltop fields to bring you back to Long Dale. Turn right to return to the start.’

Thanks to Andrew for sharing this with us.

Do you have a favourite walk in the Peak District that you would like to share? Comment on our social media or email hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

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While on lockdown, Peak District National Park Volunteer Ranger Brian Heathcote, has been exploring his local area to find less crowded, but just as interesting walks. Here he talks us through one of his favourites:

‘Over recent weeks I have been exploring areas on the periphery of the National Park, which can offer just as rewarding experiences. Just one km to the East of the park boundary lies the delightfully peaceful and little explored Birley Brook valley, easily accessible via marked footpaths from Freebirch, Wigley and Pratt Hall.

Climbing a short distance to the north of the valley just below Birley Farm opens up outstanding vistas, over Linacre Woods towards the crooked spire with Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall on the distant escarpment. particularly attractive towards sunset.

The valley offers quintessentially natural unspoiled, rarely visited English countryside for those willing to explore off the beaten track away from the National Park hotspots, just 10 mins by car from the expanding traffic jams of Curbar Gap, or better still, less than 30 minutes from a regular bus stop.

And if you’re lucky, you might meet some of the locals…’

Thanks to Brian for sharing this with us.

Do you have a favourite walk in the Peak District that you would like to share? Comment on our social media or email hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk

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Peak District National Park Foundation Trustee Steve Turner talks about rediscovering a favourite walk in the current climate.

“Under lockdown, I have been revisiting walks that are on my doorstep and I have been reminded what a cracker there is in and around Bretton Clough. It has everything (well no coastal element granted) but it is surprisingly varied. I love this area, It sums up the variety of terrain the park has to offer, it takes a bit of effort to do it, but not too much that you can’t be bothered, and, is usually relatively deserted, except by the bar at the finish.

The other advantage is this walk has multiple variations to lengthen or shorten it and various start point options, but here is one variation that I like. Start by walking up the green lane to Sir William Hill (from the Barrel side) over the top and then cut left across the moor. At this time of year you are likely to be rewarded with fantastic views of our gritstone edges, the Kinder plateau, Ladybower and much much more all accompanied by the delightful tunes of the Curlew and skylarks. It really is one of the best places to get brilliant views across the Hope Valley area.

Drop down to Stoke Ford and enjoy a drink by the stream. Having dropped down from the moorland you are now surrounded by ancient oaks and this continues if you wander up the base of Bretton clough vaguely following the stream. It’s a real nature reserve for birds and well shaded and sheltered a welcome relief from the weather on the top whether, sun, rain, wind or snow!

Eventually climb gently out to the upper outskirts of Abney, find your way across the road and up the green lane onto the edge of Shatton moor. Turn left along the track until you can take the left hand footpath cutting back over the moor toward the gliding club. Once again you are high up and able to enjoy the views on this easy undulating terrain. If you are lucky you will have multiple gliders flying silently over you as they hunt for thermals.

Cross the road and wander through Abney Grange back down into the upper reaches of Bretton Clough and up the other side and onto the currently closed ridge road. Walk along the road and you will probably feel you deserve to stop at the Barrel Inn for a drink and take in the views from one of the many well placed benches looking over the southern peak before wishing you had parked up here rather than the start of the Sir William Hill track.”

Thanks to Steve for sharing this with us.

Why not share your favourite Peak District walks with us?

Email them to us at hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk or share on our Facebook page. Don’t forget to include pictures.

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Our Fundraising Officer Claire tells us about her favourite walk in the Peak District:

Monsal Head

“My favourite walk in the Peak District National Park is from Monsal Head. I think this is the perfect Peak District view with the viaduct, green hills, big sky and usually a smattering of sheep and lots of beautiful bird-song. One of my best memories of this place is when, in a previous role as an arts outreach officer, I brought a class of unruly, grumpy teenagers to the top of Monsal Head to be inspired to write a poem about the Peak District, I’ll never forgot getting them to ‘look’ out over the view with their eyes closed and take it in turns to tell us what they could hear, smell and feel. They thought I was bonkers at first, but they were almost literally blown away by the view (it was a very windy day!) and the resulting poems were a treat!

These days I enjoy bringing my young family to the Monsal Valley. On a sunny Sunday there is nothing better than the steep walk down into the beautiful valley. We always stop for Pooh-sticks on the metal bridge over the sparkling river, while keeping an eye out for herons.

Then a short walk alongside the river takes you under the impressive Monsal Viaduct which was built in 1863. Its’ sheer scale is a reminder of how significant rail travel was in the valley, I always imagine the sound and smell of a huge steam train thundering above your head when I get to this bit of the walk.

You’ve then got a good stomp up the valley side through the shaded woods, before you reach the top and a reward of a local beer from the pub, a home-made cake from the tea rooms, or an ice cream from the van. That is my idea of a perfect Sunday in the Peak District and it’s the first place I will return to when it is safe to do so again, maybe I’ll even close my eyes and write a poem!”

Why not share your favourite Peak District walks with us?

Email them to us at hello@peakdistrictfoundation.org.uk or share on our Facebook page. Don’t forget to include pictures.