A Weekend in Edale – Top Walks & Campsites in the Peak District
A Walking Weekend in Edale
If you’re dreaming of a weekend away in the Peak District, Edale is a brilliant choice for a walking weekend. This little village sits at the start of the Pennine Way, surrounded by rolling fields, steep-sided cloughs and the wild expanse of Kinder Scout. It’s one of those places where you can park up (or hop off the train) and not need your car again – all the big walks start right from the village or nearby. Whether you’re after a scramble, a steady ridge walk, or a long day on the moors, Edale is a fantastic base.
Why Stay in Edale?
Edale really is a walker’s paradise. For starters, it’s super easy to get to – just half an hour by train from Sheffield or Manchester, or a straightforward drive if you’re coming from further afield. Once you’re there, you’re spoiled for choice with walking routes. Kinder Scout looms above the village and Mam Tor and the Great Ridge sit just across the valley, so you’ve got some of the best scenery in the Peak District right on your doorstep.
Another bonus? Edale still feels small and tucked away. There’s a train station, a couple of pubs and a café but it hasn’t lost its character. You can step straight from village lanes onto wild moorland and, within minutes, feel miles away from anywhere. There are a few campsites to choose from as well.
Campsites in Edale – Upper Booth Farm Campsite
For a proper outdoorsy weekend, you can’t go wrong with camping. Upper Booth Farm Campsite is just outside Edale, in a peaceful spot surrounded by fields and hills. It’s quiet compared to some of the bigger campsites in the Peak District. The facilities are simple but perfectly fine, and the real perk is the location – you can walk straight onto Kinder Scout without needing to drive. For a walking weekend, it doesn’t get much better than rolling out of your tent and onto the hills!
We had a weekend camping at Upper Booth Farm recently and really enjoyed it. We took our tent and camped with friends who had a camper van. The site has designated pitches for camper vans and tents, but we were able to pitch our tent next to the camper van pitches in the Upper Field. It’s worth noting that the tent pitches aren’t allocated, and it’s a bit of a free for all!
Pros:
- The location is amazing, right at the bottom of Crowden Clough and only a mile walk from the main village of Edale.
- The site is a quiet site and no music is allowed. They also have a 10pm quiet time, which most people respect, meaning you get a good night’s sleep.
- There is a small shop onsite selling camping essentials (we bought a gas canister for our stove).
- There’s a shared barn/lounge and drying room, perfect for those wet camping evenings.
- The site is dog friendly, with a dog field to let your dog off the lead in. They need to be on leads the rest of the time though.
Cons:
- The facilities are basic, and there are only two female toilets and two female showers for the whole campsite.
- You can’t choose your tent pitches and you’re not guaranteed to be near the people you booked your trip with if some of you are in tents and some in a campervan.
- They don’t allow tents over 6m in length – part of the site is very sloping so finding a flat pitch for a big tent isn’t always easy!
- The onsite shop doesn’t sell any food. There’s a coffee machine and ice cream stall in one of the outbuildings at Upper Booth Farm, but the nearest shop is in Edale, a mile and a bit away. We picked up some bits at the Aldi at the Fickle Mermaid services at Chapel-en-le-Frith on our way t the campsite.
- There is no electricity to the campsite, and I found phone signal was patchy.
We paid £75 for two nights camping without EHU.
We have also camped at Upper Fold Farm Campsite before, right in the centre of Edale. This campsite has more facilities and is closer to the start of a lot of walks, and the pubs, but tends to be a bit noisier and attracts larger groups of people. It’s still a nice campsite and I’d recommend it if a more vibrant campsite is more your thing.
An Edale Hiking Weekend Itinerary
Day One – Pitch up at Upper Booth Farm then walk into Edale along the Pennine Way (link opens OS map) for handmade pizza from New Fold Farm Campsite. Grab a pint at the Old Nags Head Inn while you wait.
Day Two – Time for a big day. Pick one of the Kinder Scout routes – Crowden Clough if you want to scramble, Kinder Scout and Mam Tor if you want a longer day out ticking off some Peak District Ethels. Pack plenty of snacks and take your time on the moors – it’s a proper adventure day. Finish up with a pint and some dinner/tea at The Old Nags Head or The Rambler Inn before walking back to the campsite along the Pennine Way.
Day Three – Before you head home, walk into Edale along the Pennine Way and head up Grindsbrook Clough to Grindslow Knoll for some stunning views over the valley.
Edale Walks to Try
Here are a few brilliant routes to pack into your weekend – the links will take you to the route information with map and gpx for each one:
Crowden Clough Scramble | 7.5 Miles
This one’s perfect if you fancy a bit of hands-on adventure. From Barber Booth, you follow the stream up Crowden Clough, scrambling over rocks and boulders until you pop out on Kinder Scout. The descent via Ringing Roger brings you back into Edale with some amazing views.
Grindsbrook Clough Scramble to Grindslow Knoll | 7 Miles
A real classic. The walk begins gently enough, winding up Grindsbrook before the path turns into a rocky scramble. Once you reach the Kinder plateau, the sense of space is incredible. This route is a proper introduction to the wild side of the Peak District.
Edale to Kinder Scout and Mam Tor | 12 Miles
A slightly less demanding route but with huge rewards. Head up Crowden Clough onto Kinder Scout, then across to Brown Knoll, Rushup Edge and Mam Tor before heading back down into Edale. The views along here are some of the best in the Peak District, stretching across the Hope Valley.
Edale to Ringing Roger Scramble | 5 Miles
A kid-friendly scramble up Ringing Roger before descending Grindsbrook Clough. You can scramble up or hike, as there’s a path to follow, and the views from the tops are really special.
Edale has everything you need for a walking weekend – rugged climbs, scrambles, classic peaks, great pubs and a campsite that drops you right at the foot of the hills. Whether you’re new to walking in the Peak District or you’ve ticked off plenty of routes already, a weekend here will remind you why it’s one of the UK’s most-loved walking destinations.
For more Peak District hiking weekend inspiration you might like: Peak District Walking Weekend
