PEAK DISTRICT

NATIONAL PARK

The Peak District National Park includes the Dark Peak and the White Peak, named after their distinctive colours from the gritstone and limestone that make them, and is the oldest national park (created in 1951).

Despite the name, there are few mountains - the tallest, Kinder Scout, is just 636m (2087 ft). However, there are some amazingly scenic hills to climb, while the high moorlands create unique wildlife habitats.

The sedimentary rocks that make up most of the area are soft and easily worn away by water, which has led to some stunning caving opportunities, the most famous of which is probably the Blue John Cavern.

Top Peak District National Park articles

Limb Valley – a hidden woodland walk

Be sure you're winter-ready for your next chilly hike. GetOutside Champion Jessie Leong shares her top tips, plus a Limb Valley woodland route that's not to be missed this winter season.

Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale from Hartington

Dovedale is a honey pot for the Peak District and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This 10km circular walk gives you all the pleasures of upper Dovedale, starting and ending in the charming Peak District village of Hartington but without the crowds of Dovedale.

Bamford to Edale, via Ladybower

Laying between Bamford and Edale (at the foot of Kinder Scout), it makes for a perfect, easily extendable half-day walk with good views, which can happily end in a pub lunch in front of a cosy fire! The area also has great access by rail and easily navigable, so no need to have a designated driver if you fancy a pint at the end!

Ice climbing at Kinder Downfall

They say only in a blue moon does Kinder Downfall freeze enough to turn from what is normally a picturesque waterfall into the Peak District's premier ice climbing venue.

Afternoon tea hotspots in the Peak District National Park

If you’ve spent the morning walking the many hills of the Peak District, you’ll more than likely be in need of some energy replenishment. There’s a huge variety of eateries to choose from, but we think you can’t go wrong with a traditional afternoon tea.

Kinder walk from Edale

In middle England we are blessed to have a huge range of walking opportunities available to us, and the Peak District is an excellent place to start if you have not explored this area before. One of my favourite places to head for hill walk is Edale, where the famous Pennine Way starts/finishes, and where you have easy access to Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, and a huge number of other walks with great views.

Go underground and explore caving in the Peak District

The Peak District National Park is well-known for its spectacular sights and a trip to the area will mean a visual treat for all. But the beauty isn’t just above the ground – there is a whole world to be explored underground.

3 of the best walks around Dark Peak

The Dark Peak is home to some of the most iconic views in the Peak District. Discover 3 of the best, and follow the routes when you're out.

Who has a walking wedding?

#GetOutside Champion, Stef Jackson-Horner, knew that a big white wedding wasn't for her and her fiancé; what they wanted was a walking wedding. Find out how the big day went and how you go about preparing for such an event in the British outdoors!

Walking The Ridge to conquer Mam Tor

As the oldest of all the national parks in Britain, The Peak District has been delighting walkers and ramblers of all abilities for 65 years.

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