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White Peak Way - North section

White Peak Way - North section

A walk from Buxton to Bakewell along the dramatic landscape of Edale and the Chatsworth estate.

4 to 7 nights
46 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £390 per person

Discover the available tours

About this route

The northern arc of the White Peak Way explores some of the best-loved scenery in Derbyshire, crossing farmland, following riverbanks, and taking in limestone scenery as it passes from Buxton to Bakewell.

Overlooked by the haunting ruins of Peveril Castle and the looming silhouette of Kinder Scout, the trail winds between characterful villages and staggering rock formations, such as the Salt Cellar and Wheel Stones. Chatsworth House provides a stately side to the walk, with its extensive gardens and grand house.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays White Peak Way - North section map
Buxton to Bakewell
46 miles (74 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Walking along the dramatic gritstone edge at Froggatt and Curbar, with classic Derbyshire scenery below.

Stopping to visit the extraordinary Chatsworth House, used as the set for Downton Abbey.

Celebrating the completion of your walk with a slice of traditional Bakewell Pudding.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
WPWN1 From Buxton to Bakewell 4 nights, 3 days walking Demanding£390
WPWN2 From Buxton to Bakewell 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate£680

White Peak Way - North Section 4 nights, 3 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Travel info
  • Weather
Start

Travel to Buxton where your first night's accommodation has been booked

Day 1

Buxton to Castleton. 18.5 miles (29.5km)

Day 2

Castleton to Hathersage. 14 miles (22.5km)

Day 3

Hathersage to Bakewell. 13.5 miles (21.5km)

Finish

Depart from Bakewell after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£45.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£35.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£50.00 per person / per night

What's included?

  • 4 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

Rest days provide the opportunity to explore some of the fascinating little towns along the trail. Whether you spend the day writing postcards or exploring interesting locations, an extra night is the perfect way to extend your holiday.

The splendid old spa town of Buxton is worth considering for an extra night at the start of the trail. Amongst the many fine buildings is The Crescent, built in the 18th century by the Duke of Devonshire to rival its namesake in Bath; the Old Hall Hotel, which once played host to Mary Queen of Scots; the Opera House; the Devonshire Hospital, built in 1790 as stabling for the horses of gentry 'taking the waters', its magnificent 164ft dome was for many years the world's largest domed roof; and the Pump Room. Poole's Cavern, on the outskirts of the town is one of the finest show caves in the Peak District.

Castleton is a lovely little village and is a good choice for a rest day if you would like to visit the impressive show caves of Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern.

The attractive market town of Bakewell, famous for its delicious Bakewell Pudding, is a popular choice. The Old House Museum was built in the reign of Henry VIII and includes many items of interest. Haddon Hall, one of the finest medieval manor houses in England is just two miles south of the town and is well worth a visit. It is worth considering spending a day exploring the house and grounds of Chatsworth House, some four miles away.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£50.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 46 miles (73.5 km)
Duration: 4 nights, 3 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 13.5 miles (21.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 18.5 miles (29.5 km)
Code: WPWN1 Grade: Demanding
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Buxton
End of holiday: Bakewell

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Manchester, East Midlands and Leeds Bradford.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Buxton). The nearest rail stations to the end of the trail (Bakewell) are either Matlock (about 8.5 miles away) or Buxton (about 12 miles away).

By Bus - Various bus services run to Buxton and from Bakewell.

From London - Trains run from London Euston to Buxton.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take a bus from Bakewell to Buxton.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

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