White Peak Way - South section

A scenic walk from Bakewell to Buxton along the valleys and dales of the Peak District National Park.

5 to 6 nights
51 miles
Moderate to Moderate / Demanding

From £450 per person

Discover the available tours

About this route

Visit the opulent grounds of Haddon Hall and the mysterious stone circles of Stanton Moor on this walking holiday along the south section of the White Peak Way.

Past rock formations and the very village that inspired Charlotte Bronte to write Jane Eyre, the trail rambles through beautiful Derbyshire dales, where rich riverside scenery teems with wildlife.

The final section of the trail incorporates lush water meadows and the beautiful Horseshoe Dale, before pressing on to the old spa town of Buxton.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays White Peak Way - South section map
Bakewell to Buxton
51 miles (82 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Hopping across the stepping stones at the foot of Thorpe Cloud.

Clambering to the tremendous viewpoint at Thor’s Cave.

Exploring Haddon Hall, a stunning English Tudor house.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
WPWS1 From Bakewell to Buxton 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate / Demanding£450
WPWS2 From Bakewell to Buxton 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate£540

White Peak Way - South Section 5 nights, 4 days walking

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

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

Day 1

Bakewell to Youlgreave. 11.5 miles (18.5km)

Day 2

Youlgreave to Alstonefield. 13.5 miles (21.5km)

Day 3

Alstonefield to Hartington. 14.5 miles (23km)

Day 4

Hartington to Buxton. 12 miles (19km)

Finish

Depart from Buxton 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.

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 walk 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 walking on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Walker or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Walker Supplement
£45.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£30.00 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?

  • 5 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 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.

The splendid old spa town of Buxton is worth considering for an extra night at the end 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.

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

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

Tour Facts

Total distance: 51 miles (82 km)
Duration: 5 nights, 4 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 14.5 miles (23 km)
Code: WPWS1 Grade: Moderate / Demanding
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Bakewell
End of holiday: Buxton

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, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands.

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

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

From London - Trains run from London St Pancras station to Matlock.

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

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.

Routes on this trail

White Peak Way

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A fantastic circular walking holiday from Buxton exploring the White Peak area of the Peak District.Find Out More

White Peak Way - North section

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From £360 per person
A walk from Buxton to Bakewell along the dramatic landscape of Edale and the Chatsworth estate.Find Out More
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