White Peak Way

The White Peak Way is a circular walk through the spectacular scenery of the Peak District. It explores the heather-covered gritstone moors and edges of the Dark Peak and the limestone country of the White Peak with its steep sided dales and flower-rich upland pastures edged with drystone walls.

Beginning at the old spa-town of Buxton with its gracious Georgian buildings, the White Peak Way meanders through seven delightfully different dales to Castleton, an attractive village overlooked by the ruin of Peveril Castle , which was built shortly after the Norman Conquest. It traverses the ridge between Mam Tor, the ' Shivering Mountain ' and Lose Hill with glorious views across Edale to Kinder Scout. From Hathersage, the fabled home of Little John, it traverses the gritstone edges of Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow before wandering through the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth House to Bakewell, a delightful little market town that is noted for its puddings! It explores Stanton Moor which is littered with evidence of pre-historic man and Rowter Rocks, an intriguing maze of rock chambers, tunnels, steps and seats carved by an eccentric Victorian vicar. From the village of Youlgreave, which like many of the villages in the area, continues the pagan custom of 'Well Dressing', the trail follows Gratton Dale, Biggin Dale and Wolfscote Dale to the welcoming hamlet of Mill Dale where it follows riverside paths through spectacular Dovedale beneath spires, cliffs and caves of creamy white limestone to Ilam. From here it takes the aptly named Paradise Walk through the tranquil Manifold Valley and then visits the fine viewpoint of Thors Cave before continuing to the attractive village of Hartington . The final stage of this memorable walk follows the banks of the Dove to the village of Crowdecote before winding through Horseshoe Dale to Buxton.