Best Circular Walks in Peak District

Short Circular Walks in the Peak District

Padley Gorge Circular Walk – 3.5 miles

This Padley Gorge short walk starts from Grindleford train station and passes Padley Chapel, the ruins of Padley Manor, the remains of Bole Hill Quarry (or Bolehill, depending on your spelling) and the abandoned millstones and then explores Surprise View and Padley Gorge.

Ramsden and Riding Wood Reservoir – 3 Miles

Perfect at any time of year, this walk in the very north of the Peak District really comes into its own in Autumn. There isn’t much of an incline (if any) and this walk is nice and gentle, perfect to enjoy the changing seasons.

Tintwistle Seven Falls – 3 Miles

Hidden away in the very north of the Peak District is Arnfield Brook, home to one of the hidden gems of the Peak District – Tintwistle Seven Falls. As the name suggests, this is a series of waterfalls cascading down from the rugged moorland above. This short walk explores the waterfalls before returning via a beautiful woodland.

Tissington Wells Trail – 2.5 miles

The Tissington Wells Trail visits each of the village’s 6 historic wells – the centrepiece of Tissington’s famous Well Dressing Week, when the wells are decorated with elaborate floral designs in a tradition that dates back centuries. Whether you’re visiting during Well Dressing Week or any other time of year, this is a walk full of charm, history and character.

Surprise View Circular Walk – 2 Miles

This Surprise View circular walk explores Over Owler Tor and the Mother Cap. There aren’t any super steep hills and little explorers will love the rock formations and old millstones.

Bamford Edge Circular Walk – 2 miles

I don’t usually like to include the super honeypot locations in my lists but Bamford Edge deserves its place. It’s a short walk to an amazing viewpoint over Ladybower and Win Hill, and it’s a perfect place to watch a sunset. Just don’t expect to have the place to yourself – it’s not somewhere to go if you want peace and quiet!

Wessenden Moor Circular Walk – 4 miles

Located just below Black Hill, this Wessenden Moor circular hike is a circular route taking in the scenic moorland, streams and farmland of the Wessenden Moor. With views down to Digley reservoir, this walk is perfect for a morning on the hills.

Medium Circular Walks in the Peak District

Edale to Rushup Edge – 6 miles

This walk explores ancient packhorse tracks and avoids the crowds, heading out from Edale on lesser known paths up to Rushup Edge, topped with an ancient Bronze Age burial cairn. It’s a satisfying half-day walk with a proper sense of height and space, and a great option when you want big views without a big mileage.

Crowden Horseshoe Walk – 9 Miles

If you’re looking for a quieter walk in the Peak District with spectacular views and some of the best walking in the Dark Peak, the Crowden Horseshoe fits the bill. The 9 mile walk heads up the Pennine Way over Laddow Rocks (with one of the best views in the Peak District, in my view!) to Black Hill before returning via the (probably wet and boggy) Tooleyshaw Moss and Westend Moss.

Hartington to Wolfscote Dale – 6 miles

This walk starts from the gorgeous village of Hartington and heads through the stunning Wolfscote Dale. It’s a gentle walk, without any huge climbs and at 6 miles it’s a great way to spend a morning before having a lunch and a browse in the shops in Hartington.

Tideswell 4 Dales Walk – 8 Miles

Looking for a walk that explores the beautiful Derbyshire Dales around Tideswell? This 8 mile walk visits 4 of the nearby Dales – Peter Dale, Monks Dale, Millers Dale and Tideswell Dale and is a great day’s walking in Derbyshire.

Ringing Roger to Crookstone Hill – 7.5 miles

This circular walk from Edale explores the quieter side of Kinder Scout, heading up Ringing Roger and then onto Crookstone Hill before returning via Jaggers Clough and Nether Booth. It’s a perfect morning or afternoon walk, and finishes at The Ramblers Inn for a spot of post-hike refreshment.

Bradford Dale Circular Walk – 6.5 Miles

If you’re looking for a scenic White Peak walk with plenty of variety, this Bradford Dale circular route from Alport is a lovely option. The walk winds through lush farmland and peaceful limestone dales, taking in the beautiful stretches of Middleton Dale and Bradford Dale along the way.

Bakewell to Monsal Head – 9 miles

If you’re looking for a beautiful walk exploring the beautiful White Peak countryside, this is the one for you! This Bakewell to Monsal Head walk visits Monsal Dale, Monsal Weir and returns to Bakewell along the Monsal Trail.

Eyam PLague Trail – 6.5 miles

This circular walk takes you through one of the Peak District’s most fascinating villages. You’ll visit key spots around Eyam, the Plague Village, like the Boundary Stone, the famous Plague Cottages, and the hauntingly beautiful Riley Graves, as well as Cucklet Church which became an open air church for the dwindling population. It’s a route packed with history and countryside views.

Ladybower Reservoir Circular – 6 miles

This Ladybower walk offers stunning views with minimal effort – using the well made paths and trails that run around Ladybower Reservoir, this route doesn’t have steep climbs and there are no stiles, making it a really accessible loop in the Upper Derwent Valley.

Longer Circular Peak District Walks

Hathersage, Stanage Edge and BUrbage Edge walk – 11 miles

This walk explores the Eastern Moors of the Peak District and visits Stanage Edge and Burbage Edge, areas which were devastated by wildfire in recent years. This circular walk starts from Hathersage and climbs up to Stanage to enjoy the sweeping views, before returning via the Longshaw Estate and Padley Chapel.

Cheshire 3 Peaks – 13.5 miles

For those looking for a serious day out in the hills, the Cheshire 3 Peaks walk delivers in every sense. This challenging circular route starts and finishes at Teggs Nose Country Park and takes in three of the most distinctive summits on the Cheshire and Peak District border – Teggs Nose, Shutlingsloe and Shining Tor.

Back Tor and Ughill Moors Walk – 14 Miles

If you’re looking for a remote Peak District walk with plenty of wild moorland scenery, this Bradfield to Back Tor and Ughill Moors walk is a fantastic choice. This circular route heads out from the village of Bradfield and climbs onto the quiet and expansive moorland, with stunning views and a real feeling of isolation.

The Source of the River Derwent – 12 Miles

This challenging walk heads up onto the rugged Bleaklow and Howden Moors, visiting Bleaklow Stones, Grinah Stones, Barrow Stones, the source of the River Derwent and Ronksley Cabins before returning via Far Small Clough. This is a walk for those who love peace and quiet and hiking away from the crowds – it’s rare to see anyone else up on these moors!

Derbyshire 3 Peaks – 18.5 Miles

This challenging day walk takes on three of the area’s highest points – Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones – with a total elevation gain of around 2,750ft (that’s roughly 840m). It’s a tough day out, but you’ll be rewarded with dramatic moorland views, sweeping gritstone edges and a real sense of achievement.

Kinder Scout 3 Trig Points Walk – 13 miles

A challenging walk up onto the Kinder Scout plateau to visit the 3 trig points (The Edge, Kinder Low and Edale Moor). This circular walk starts and finishes in Edale and also visits Kinder Downfall, the tallest waterfall in the Peak District. If you love the wilderness of Kinder and aren’t bothered by a couple of boggy crossings of the plateau, add this one to your walk list.

Edale to Kinder Scout and Mam Tor – 12 miles

This Kinder Scout and Mam Tor circular walk starts from Barber Booth car park in Edale and heads up Crowden Clough onto Kinder Scout. The route then explores the southern edge of Kinder Scout, with stunning views over Edale itself, and heads around to Brown Knoll and Rushup Edge. It then visits the ever-popular Mam Tor before dropping back down into Edale.

Derwent Reservoir and Slippery Stones – 10 Miles

A loop of the Derwent and Howden Reservoirs, following well made paths to explore the Upper Derwent Valley. This circular walk is also great for cyclists.

Kinder Scout Perimeter Walk – 16 Miles

This Kinder Scout Perimeter walk winds it’s way around the edges of the plateau forming the highest mountain in the Peak District, Kinder Scout. Starting in Edale, the walk heads up onto the plateau and winds its way around the wilder northern edges, with curious rock formations and sweeping views, to the southern edge with Kinder Downfall.

The Trinnacle and Alphin Pike – 13.5 Miles

This circular walk on the very northern edge of the Peak District takes in the rugged moorlands around Dovestone Reservoir, including a waterfall scramble up to The Trinnacle and a moorland walk with spectacular views. This is a great adventure walk, popularly known as The Trinnacle Trail.

Edale Skyline – 20 Miles

A classic long distance walk, the Edale Skyline visits some of the best spots in the Peak District including Win Hill, Kinder Scout, Brown Knoll and The Great Ridge, with spectacular views down over the valley with Edale below. This is a tough day hike, but the views are definitely worth it.