4 Night Peak District Guided Walking Holiday

Distance: 5½ miles (9km) 

Total ascent: 500 feet (160m) 

In summary: Walk from Crich village up to the monument on Crich Stand. After an undulating walk through the Derbyshire countryside we'll follow the Cromford Canal towpath, to Cromford Wharf and Arkwright’s Mill.  

Highlight: The Derwent Valley was one of birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, for it was here that Richard Arkwright set up his pioneering cotton mill. Its importance is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance: 9½ miles (15km) 

Ascent: 900 feet (280m) 

In summary: Soak up the views from Crich Stand, then walk over the green hills above the Derwent Valley to the timeless hamlets of Lea, Dethick and Riber. Finally we follow the canal to Cromford.

Highlight: Crich is home to the National Tramways Museum. Look out for these vintage vehicles when you cross the tram tracks at Crich Stand.

Distance: 12 miles (19.5km) 

Ascent: 1,400 feet (420m) 

In summary: Starting from Ambergate in the Derwent Valley we'll ascend the wooded valley side to Crich Stand, then continue over rolling green hills to Cromford. 

Highlight: Crich Stand is dominated by the Sherwood Foresters Memorial with its commanding view over the Derwent Valley.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)  

In summary: Beginning with a descent to the famous stepping stones we follow the River Dove to Milldale. Following the zig zag path we then return through pasture land high above the gorge.

Highlight: The famous limestone gorge of Dovedale is just a stone’s throw from our country house with its rock formations, caves and verdant flora.

Distance: 9½ miles (15km) 

Ascent: 680 feet (200m) 

In summary: Follow the river through the delightful surroundings of Dovedale to Milldale. Having climbed to the top of Shining Tor our return route takes us via the villages of Alsop-en-le-Dale and Tissington. 

Highlight: Tissington is particularly attractive estate village with a fine Jacobean hall built by the FitzHerbert family in 1609. If you visit around Ascension Day you'll see the six well-dressings around the village. 

Distance: 11 miles (18km) 

Ascent: 1,650 feet (520m)

In summary: Our outward route takes us through the rolling Derbyshire countryside passing the villages of Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale. We then make the steep descent into Dove Dale and follow this glorious valley back to the stepping stones and our country house. 

Highlight: If you still have the energy, the mini-Matterhorn of Thorpe Cloud is just outside our Country House. Climb to the top for a great view over Dove Dale. 

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 850 feet (260m)

In summary: From the village of Hollinsclough nestling beneath Hollins Hill close to the source of the Dove we traverse beneath the jagged outlines of the Dragon's Back to Glutton Bridge. We climb Hitter Hill to view the shapely cone of High Wheeldon with it’s prehistoric secrets, then journey south to the fascinating site of Pilsbury Castle. From there we contour the eastern flank of the upper Dove beneath Carder Low with great views of 'The Dragon', Sheen Hill and Axe Edge to finish in the splendid market town of Hartington.

Highlight: Sample the local Stilton and Dovedale cheeses at the famous Hartington cheese shop. 

Distance: 9 miles (15km) 

Ascent: 1,500 feet (460m)

In summary: From the village of Hollinsclough we contour Hollins Hill in the shadow of Axe Edge (source of both the River Dove and Manifold) and Leap Edge. We swing north up Dowel Dale then ascend Hitter Hill before heading south to Pilsbury Castle. We then cross the fledgling River Dove and ascend to the ridgeline of Sheen Hill for panoramic views west over the Manifold valley before descending into Hartington. 

Highlight: Explore the site and remains of Pilsbury Castle, an 11th Century Motte and Bailey Fortress, with fantastic views back towards Chrome Hill.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Ascent: 1,850 feet (560m)

In summary: From the village of Hollinsclough we contour Hollins Hill in the shadow of Axe Edge (source of both the River Dove and Manifold) and Leap Edge (don't!) to climb the rocky spine of Chrome Hill, known as the Dragon's Back of Derbyshire. We swing north up Dowel Dale then ascend Hitter Hill before heading south to Pilsbury Castle. We then cross the fledgling River Dove and ascend to the ridgeline of Sheen Hill for panoramic views west over the Manifold valley before descending into Hartington. 

Highlight: Panoramic views both south back to Longnor and down the Dove Valley from the peaks and ridgeline of the Dragon's Back.

Distance: 7½ miles (12km) 

Ascent: 800 feet (240m)

In summary: Walk along Baslow Edge, passing the Eagle Stone before descending into Baslow village and through Chatsworth Park to Chatsworth House. After exploring the estate village of Edensor we take a track and a quiet lane over the ridge into Bakewell. 

Highlight: Admire the grandeur of Chatsworth House, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and its surrounding parkland landscaped by Capability Brown.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km) 

Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m) 

In summary: High up on the Moors we take an exhilarating walk along Froggatt, and Curbar Edge. Pass Wellington’s Monument descending to Chatsworth before passing through Edensor then over a ridge and down into Bakewell. 

Highlight: The gritstone escarpment of Curbar and Froggatt Edge is one of the most popular walks in the Peak District, with sweeping views over the Derwent Valley. 

Distance: 12 miles (19km) 

Total ascent: 1,050 feet (320m) 

In summary: The fantastic gritstone edges see us all the way from Froggatt to Baslow Edge. We continue along Birchen Edge to reach the Hunting Tower and a descent to Chatsworth House, passing the Sowter Stone and aqueduct on the way. We end at Bakewell, via Edensor. 

Highlight: A walk of great contrasts - magnificent high-level walking along the edges, and a more in-depth exploration of the Chatsworth estate.

Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km) 

Ascent: 700 feet (220m) 

In summary: Starting at the Visitor Centre we will complete a circuit of Carsington Reservoir, induding walking over the dam. Carsington reservoir is the 9th largest in England.  

Highlight: Carsington Water is home to an abundance of birdlife. Stop at the bird hide to look out for Oystercatchers, Redshank, Terns and Geese.

Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: Starting from Middleton Top, we follow the High Peak trail, arriving at Harboro rocks, with its caves and stone seat. After time exploring the rocks, we continue past the windmills before reaching the reservoir.

Highlight: Exploring the rocky outcrops of Harboro.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Total ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)

In summary: Starting at Black Rocks, this walk then ascends to reach the High Peak Trail. There will be time to explore the National Stone Centre and Middleton Top and then we’ll be following the easier walk over Harboro Rocks before reaching the reservoir.

Highlight: Exploring the contrasting Black and Harboro Rocks.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)  

In summary: Beginning with a descent to the famous stepping stones we follow the River Dove to Milldale. Following the zig zag path we then return through pasture land high above the gorge.

Highlight: The famous limestone gorge of Dovedale is just a stone’s throw from our country house with its rock formations, caves and verdant flora.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 1,150 feet (340m)

In summary: We begin following the route of option 1 through the iconic Dovedale Gorge. From Milldale we ascend to the village of Alstonefield. We visit the Green Well before our return route takes us back across the river and on higher ground back to the country house.

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

Distance: 12 miles (19km)

Ascent: 1,400 feet (420m)

In summary: Having first walked up the beautiful Dovedale Gorge and reached Alstonefield, our walk takes a high level loop north to Narrowdale Hill, before returning across the river and along the route of option 2. 

Highlight: Magnificent panoramic views from Narrowdale Hill

Distance: 7½ miles (12km)

Ascent: 800 feet (240m)

In summary: We walk to the feudal village of Tissington on grassland and along the tree lined avenue. After exploring the village we make our way onto the Tissington Trail to the former Alsop en le Dale station before returning to the country house. 

Highlight: The charming estate village of Tissington, home of the FitzHerbert family for over 500 years.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Ascent: 1,200 feet (380m)

In summary: After visiting beautiful Tissington village our walk descends to Parwich and then ascends to reach the Tissington trail which we follow to Alsop en le Dale station before heading back to the country house.

Highlight: The famous Tissington Trail follows the route of the former London and North Western railway.

Distance: 12½ miles (20km)

Ascent: 1,550 feet (480m)

In summary: We begin following the route of option 2 to the Tissington Trail, taking in the estate village of Tissington. We then descend to the River Dove which we follow through a quiet dale to reach Milldale. From here the walk ascends to meet a farm track which we follow back to the house.

Highlight: Quaint Tissington village and all its history is not to be missed. 

Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km) 

Ascent: 700 feet (220m) 

In summary: Starting at the Visitor Centre we will complete a circuit of Carsington Reservoir, induding walking over the dam. Carsington reservoir is the 9th largest in England.  

Highlight: Carsington Water is home to an abundance of birdlife. Stop at the bird hide to look out for Oystercatchers, Redshank, Terns and Geese.

Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: Starting from Middleton Top, we follow the High Peak trail, arriving at Harboro rocks, with its caves and stone seat. After time exploring the rocks, we continue past the windmills before reaching the reservoir.

Highlight: Exploring the rocky outcrops of Harboro.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Total ascent: 1,200 feet (360m)

In summary: Starting at Black Rocks, this walk then ascends to reach the High Peak Trail. There will be time to explore the National Stone Centre and Middleton Top and then we’ll be following the easier walk over Harboro Rocks before reaching the reservoir.

Highlight: Exploring the contrasting Black and Harboro Rocks.

Distance: 8 miles (12.5km) 

Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)

In summary: The walk begins with a descent to cross the River Dove and then across fields to reach lofty Castern Hall. From here we follow the route of the Manifold into Ilam Park before ascending to the hamlet of Blore and follow the Limestone Way on our return to the country house.  

Highlight: Beautiful Ilam Park with its Hall, church and gardens. 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.