3 Night Peak District Guided Walking Holiday

Distance: 5 miles (8.5km) 

Total ascent: 400 feet (120m) 

In summary: This walk begins at the Cat & Fiddle, the 2nd highest pub in England. We descend to the Victorian folly of Solomon’s Temple, then onwards to Poole’s Cavern before arriving in the beautiful spa town of Buxton

Highlight: There's time to explore Buxton and enjoy the elegant and imposing buildings of this famous spa town. 

Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km) 

Ascent: 600 feet (180m) 

In summary: Starting from the former Cat and Fiddle Inn, set high on the moors, we descend to Errwood Hall and the dam between the Fernilee and Errwood Reservoirs in the Goyt Valley. From here we cross the moors to Buxton.

Highlight: Great views from the old Cat & Fiddle Inn with its lofty position high on the moors.

Distance: 12 miles (19.5km) 

Total ascent: 1,600 feet (480m) 

In summary: An enjoyable hilltop route ascending to Shining Tor then following a broad grassy ridge to Cats Tor, Pym Chair to Windgather Rocks. From here we descend to the reservoirs and cross Wild Moor to Buxton. 

Highlight: The ridge between Shining Tor and Cat's Tor enjoys great views westwards over the Cheshire Plain towards the Mersey Estuary.

Distance:  6 miles  (9 Km)

Ascent and descent:  935ft (285m)

In summary: The walk descends to cross the River Dove into Staffordshire on an historic bridge before ascending to the hamlet of Blore.   We then visit Ilam with it’s  Park, Hall and village before crossing back into Derbyshire and back to Peveril of the Peak.

Highlight: Blore and Ilam churches both have interesting memorials. In beautiful Ilam Park we can see the River Manifold as it emerges from its underground route.

Distance: 9½ miles (15km)

Ascent: 1,350 feet (420m)

In summary: We head out on the Limestone Way from Thorpe, crossing the River Dove at Coldwall Bridge and ascend to Blore. The route then continues to ascend west with magnificent views of surrounding countryside to reach Calton. We then descend through Musden Wood to Rushley Bridge before taking the riverside path through the grounds of Ilam Hall and the village of Ilam. 

Highlight: Ilam village with its grand hall, pseudo alpine cottages and memorial cross.

Distance: 12½ miles (20km)

Ascent: 1,900 feet (600m)

In summary: Beginning along the Limestone Way to Blore, we then continue to ascend, skirting the hill of Musden Low, before reaching the village of Calton. From here, the path continues north with wonderful views all around. We descend Soles Hollow to reach the River Hamps and the Manifold Way. From the confluence of the Hamps and the Manifold, the walk ascends back to the Manifold Trail to Throwley Hall. We then return through historic Ilam.

Highlight: Enjoy the panorama from Blore church over the limestone plateau and Dove Dale, with the shapely peak of Thorpe Cloud guarding the entrance.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 850 feet (260m)

In summary: From the country house we drop onto the Dove Valley crossing historic Coldwall Bridge and ascend Marten Hill. We return through lovely Okeover Park to Mappleton walking along the Dove with fine views of Thorpe Cloud.

Highlight: Check out the unusual church in Mappleton.

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 1,250 feet (380m)

In summary: Initially following the route of option 1, we then continue south on The Limestone Way reaching the cluster of Mayfield villages. Descending through Upper Mayfield to cross Hanging Bridge and return via Mappleton and the River Dove.

Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie’s retreat in 1745.

Distance: 12½ miles (20km)

Ascent: 1,350 feet (420m)

In summary: Heading out along the route of option 2, we extend our walk continuing south along the Limestone Way before descending to the historical villages of Middle Mayfield and Church Mayfield. Our return route takes us via Hanging Bridge and Mappleton.  

Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie's retreat in 1745.

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)

Ascent: 650 feet (200m)

In summary: Starting high up on Winnat's Pass we will make the short steep ascent to the top of Mam Tor. At 517 metres above sea level we will hopefully be rewarded with fantastic views in all directions. We then follow the famous Great Ridge before descending to Hope and a beautiful riverside walk to Castleton.

Highlight: If you have the energy, why not complete the short climb to Peveril Castle, or learn about village life through the ages and the unique local semi precious 'Blue John' stone at the fantastic interactive visitor centre in Castleton.

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 1,600 feet (480m)

In summary: Starting in Hope, we climb up Lose Hill. From the summit we will traverse along the length of the ridge with fantastic views in all directions to Mam Tor. We then descend to Castleton along the Limestone Way via the remains of Peveril Castle and Cave Dale.

Highlight: Treat yourself to some jewellery crafted from the local 'Blue John' stone, or simply relax after an exhilarating walk with a cuppa and cake in one of the numerous tea shops in Castleton.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)

In summary: From Castleton we walk along the Limestone Way and gradually climb towards the summit of Mam Tor 'the Shivering Mountain' then along the Great Ridge to Lose Hill. We descend to Hope Village and follow the riverside path back to Castleton.

Highlight: Celebrate with a pint in one of the many pubs in Castleton to complete a truly memorable day on the one of the country's finest ridge walks.

Distance: 6 miles (10km) 

Ascent: 750 feet (220m)

In summary: This walk starts and finishes in Hartington, famous for its Stilton cheese. Footpaths lead to Beresford Dale and the Upper River Dove, passing Izaak Walton's fishing hut before ascending gradually to the village of Biggin. From here, a scenic track with panoramic views leads back to Hartington.

Highlight: Visit the fantastic cheese shop in Hartington and sample their locally made products.

Distance: 7½ miles (12km) 

Ascent: 950 feet (300m)

In summary: Walking from Alstonefield in Staffordshire (The River Dove being the County Boundary) we descend to Milldale hamlet then North through Iron Tors Dale (the so-called missing link!) and then on to the Tissington Trail (the former LNWR railway) and on to Biggin and Hartington.

Highlight: Biggin Dale is a National Nature Reserve. Look out for early purple orchids and rare cowslips.

Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)

Ascent: 1,500 feet (480m) 

In summary: Setting off from the House we pass Thorpe Cloud to take in the dramatic Dovedale gorge to reach the hamlet of Milldale. From here we follow a similar route to option 1 ending in the beautiful village of Hartington.

Highlight: The dramatic Dovedale Gorge with its towering limestone pinnacles.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 850 feet (260m)

In summary: From the country house we drop onto the Dove Valley crossing historic Coldwall Bridge and ascend Marten Hill. We return through lovely Okeover Park to Mappleton walking along the Dove with fine views of Thorpe Cloud.

Highlight: Check out the unusual church in Mappleton.

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 1,250 feet (380m)

In summary: Initially following the route of option 1, we then continue south on The Limestone Way reaching the cluster of Mayfield villages. Descending through Upper Mayfield to cross Hanging Bridge and return via Mappleton and the River Dove.

Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie’s retreat in 1745.

Distance: 12½ miles (20km)

Ascent: 1,350 feet (420m)

In summary: Heading out along the route of option 2, we extend our walk continuing south along the Limestone Way before descending to the historical villages of Middle Mayfield and Church Mayfield. Our return route takes us via Hanging Bridge and Mappleton.  

Highlight: Hanging Bridge with its grim history including Bonnie Prince Charlie's retreat in 1745.