Tremendous views after steep ascent to Win Hill, then the Great Ridge on the boundary between the Dark and White Peak
Length | 20.3 km (12.6 mi), of which 3.0 km (1.8 mi) on tarmac or concrete (plus long stretches on engineered stone slab paths).
For a shorter or longer walk, see below Walk Options. |
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Toughness | 10 out of 10. Cumulative ascent/descent: 846/753m. |
Features |
This strenuous walk cuts through the boundary land between the Dark and White Peak areas of the Peak District National Park. A steep ascent up to Win Hill opens tremendous views to the surrounding Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs, the Vales of Edale and Hope and the exposed and isolated tracts of rugged moorlands, covered by cotton grass bogs and heather, and dramatically sculpted gritstone escarpments (or ‘edges’) of the Peak District’s iconic Dark Peak area.
Despite a lunch pub just off route, this walk lends itself to a picnic lunch on one of the tops or on the ridge. Diversions to lunch or a finish in Hope and Castleton are described, as are an alternative start from Hope Station and shortcuts from the Great Ridge to Edale, as well as an extension across Brown Knoll’s upland peat bog and down from the head of the Vale of Edale via Jacob’s Ladder (path). |
Walk Options |
An Alternative Start from Hope Station cuts 4.9 km/3.0 mi and 263m ascent and is rated 6/10. Diversions down from the Great Ridge to Hope and Castleton villages for lunch or an early finish:
A couple of Shortcuts lead down from the Great Ridge to Edale:
An Extension across Brown Knoll’s upland peat bog and down from the head of the Vale of Edale via Jacob’s Ladder adds 5.4 km/3.4 mi and 172m ascent. |
Travel |
Bamford Station is on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester to Sheffield, with a journey time of 24 mins from Sheffield. Edale Station is a few stops and 12 minutes journey time further west in the direction of Manchester. Sheffield Station is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 121 mins Mon-Sat, longer on Sundays). Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours. |
Lunch |
The Cheshire Cheese Inn Edale Rd, Hope, Derbyshire, S33 6ZF (01433 620 381). The Cheshire Cheese is located 500m off route, after 8.4 km (5.2 mi) of walking. Open 12.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 Tue-Fri, 12.00-23.30 Sat and 12.00-18.00 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00 Tue-Fri, 12.00-21.00 Sat and 12.00-16.30 Sun. |
Lunch/Tea (off route) |
In Hope
In Castleton
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Tea (in Edale) |
The Penny Pot Café Station Approach, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZA (01433 670 293). Open Nov-Dec 10.00-16.00 Sat-Sun, 15 March-31 Oct 10.00-16.30 Wed-Sun (but 7 days and from 08.30 in Jul/Aug). Food served to 15.00. The Rambler Inn Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZA (01433 670 268). Open all day. Food served 12.00-21.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-20.00 Sun. The Old Nag’s Head Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZD (01433 670 291). Open 12.00-23.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-22.30 Sun. Food served 12.00-21.00 Mon-Sat, 12.00-20.00 Sun. Situated at the start of the Pennine Way, it dates back to 1577. Overlooked to the North by Kinder Scout, made famous by the Mass Trespass of 1932, and residing in one of the World’s most visited national parks, The Old Nag’s Head is listed as one of the 100 greatest pubs of England.
Cooper’s Café/Cooper’s Chippy Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZD (01433 670 401). Café open 09.00-16.00 Mon-Fri & 08.30-17.00 Sat-Sun (summer). Chippy open 16.00-20.00 Thu-Sat. |
Profile | |
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Help Us! |
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By Train |
Out (not a train station) Back (not a train station) |
By Car |
Start S33 0AH Map Directions Return to the start: Finish S33 7ZP Map Directions Travel to the start: |
Amazon | |
Help |
National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234 |
Version |
Aug-20 Thomas G |
Copyright | © Saturday Walkers Club. All Rights Reserved. No commercial use. No copying. No derivatives. Free with attribution for one time non-commercial use only. www.walkingclub.org.uk/site/license.shtml |
Walk Directions
Full directions for this walk are in a PDF file (link above) which you can print, or download on to a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone.
This is just the introduction. This walk's detailed directions are in a PDF available from wwww.walkingclub.org.uk