4 iconic car-free walks in the Peak District
By Megan Carroll
All aboard for outdoor adventures this autumn! Visit some of the Peak District’s best-loved places by bus and train with this handy guide.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging hill walk or a family adventure, there are plenty of options for car-free days out in the Peak District. Save the hassle and cost of car parking, take in scenic views and you could indulge in a pint at the end of your walk – cheers! When you travel by public transport, you help to maintain the tranquility of rural places and reduce your carbon footprint, too.
Mam Tor
One of the most visited places in the Peak District – and in fact, in any of the UK’s National Parks – Mam Tor is popular for its spectacular views and family-friendly size as a hill. It forms part of “Great Ridge”, a series of hills which form the divide between Hope Valley and the Vale of Edale. Walkers can feel on top of the world from its gentle heights.
By bus: Travel to Castleton on the 272 bus from Sheffield or the 173 from Bakewell and alight at Castleton bus station. You could walk along Hollowford Road and pick up the footpath which leads up to Mam Tor, but there are plenty of options so it’s recommended to plan your route using a map.
By train: The nearest station is Edale, but you could enjoy a scenic, slightly longer hill walk from Hope station via Win Hill or Lose Hill.
Kinder Scout
Famed as the Peak District’s highest hill at 636m above sea level, Kinder Scout holds a place in hillwalking history as the site of the Kinder Mass Trespass in 1932. Today, Kinder Scout is popular as part of the Pennine Way and is a lush haven for moorland wildlife in summer, thanks to the hard work of conservation organisations over the last 25+ years. Lace up your walking boots for stunning views and a sense of space and wilderness.
By bus: The nearest bus stops on the east side of Kinder are at Castleton and Hope, a 3-5 mile walk away. On the west side, the 61, 60 and 358 buses from Glossop, Buxton and Stockport stop at Hayfield, a quaint village close to Kinder Reservoir and William Clough. The William Clough route tends to be a quieter way to the summit for those looking for a peaceful hillwalk.
By train: Chinley and Edale stations are a great place to start a walk on Kinder. Edale station is a good place to start the official Pennine Way route, but Chinley also offers good access to Kinder’s quieter western slopes via Cracken Edge. Both villages have cafes and pubs where you can relax after a day’s hillwalking.
Chatsworth
This iconic stately home and estate is beautiful all year round. There’s something for everyone, from peaceful riverside walks to a family-friendly Farmyard and Adventure Playground, plus the house, gardens and country shops to explore.
By bus: There are good bus connections to Sheffield, Chesterfield, Bakewell and Matlock. Buses will take you right to the house and visitor facilities. The 218 departs from Sheffield bus interchange (outside Sheffield station) and the 170 departs from Chesterfield station forecourt. Catch the 160 from Matlock bus station.
By train: The nearest station is Chesterfield or Matlock, where you can catch an onward bus.
Derwent Valley Heritage Way (Bamford-Matlock-Derby section)
Follow the River Derwent from near its source in the uplands of the Dark Peak to its mouth at Sharlow in south Derbyshire. Get right to the heart of Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and explore iconic villages such as Matlock Bath, accompanied by the sound of the river almost the whole way. Short sections of the route make great family-friendly walks, for example the section between Hathersage and Grindleford or the section alongside Cromford Canal.
By bus: Most of the route is well served by buses. The Derwent Valley Trust have more information on their website The route – Derwent Valley Trust
By train: The Bamford-Grindleford section is accessible via the Hope Valley Line, and the Matlock-Derby section is accessible via the Derwent Valley Line. Short sections of the route make perfect station-to-station walks.
Explore the Peak District by bus and train
A top tip for a car-free day out in the Peak District? Always check before you travel. Websites such as Bus Times are very useful but please check with the official travel operators before setting off.
This blog post is written on behalf of High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership, and Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership. Head to their websites and social media for more car-free Peak District travel inspiration.
Megan Carroll is a freelance writer and communications consultant who lives in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
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