With the popularity of the UK’s national parks exploding during the pandemic, many of our favourite areas have struggled under the constant deluge of visitors and vehicles. The impacts of this – from lengthy traffic jams to wildly irresponsible parking – have been well-publicised. Exploring our national parks by public transport – whether rail or bus – is, therefore, an ideal way to reduce the strain on local communities and the environment.
The Peak District is ideally located for those looking to leave their car at home. Many of the area’s most spectacular spots are just a short hike away from a station. We have loved our car-free days out exploring the summits and valleys of this magical place – here are our top 10 walks in the Peak District that you can reach by train.
How to get to the Peak District by train
Reaching the Peak District by train from Sheffield
Sheffield enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the best UK cities for exploring the great outdoors. Indeed, some of the best walks in the Peak District can be enjoyed by train from Sheffield.
The best way to visit the Peak District by train from Sheffield is to catch the Northern service from Sheffield to Manchester. The train takes just over fifteen minutes to reach some of the best locations in the national park, including the insta-famous Stanage Edge and Bamford Edge. On occasion, it can be a busy service. However, if you avoid peak times – namely Saturday afternoons – you will generally find a seat.
Reaching the Peak District by train from Manchester
Manchester is the beating heart of North-West England. The city is growing rapidly and easily ranks as one of the most exciting places to live in the UK. Mancunians can quickly escape to the country by taking the Northern service towards Sheffield and enjoying a taste of everything the Peak District has to offer.
Within 45 minutes, the train will reach Edale – a charming village that acts as a starting point for some of the finest hikes in the Peak District.
The 10 best Peak District walks by train
Peak District walks from Hathersage Station
When catching the train to the Peak District from Sheffield, Hathersage is the first station where walkers will disembark. It is an ideal place to start or end a walk in the Peak District, with several delightful pubs and cafes to enjoy – including the excellent Scotsman’s Pack. The train journey from Sheffield to Hathersage takes just seventeen minutes and will introduce you to some of the Peak District’s best walks.
1: Stanage Edge from Hathersage
The most popular walk from Hathersage train station is Stanage Edge. This sweeping bank of gritstone cliffs is a favourite among rock climbers and hikers alike. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with great views across the patchwork moorlands of the Peak District and across to Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.
A short, steep climb from Hathersage past North Lees Hall will see you reach the start of the cliffs. From here, a relatively level path stretches the entire 6km across Stanage Edge. This is a perfect place to find a quiet spot and bask in the sunshine on a warm summer’s day.
Peak District walks from Bamford Station
The village of Bamford is ideally located for an adventure in the Peak District. Like Hathersage, it offers a modest selection of shops and pubs for visitors to enjoy, and it is an ideal base from which to explore the likes of Bamford Edge and Ladybower Reservoir.
Bamford train station is a short walk from the centre of the village, and can be reached from Sheffield in 21 minutes.
2: Bamford Edge from Bamford
The views from the ever-popular Bamford Edge are among the most iconic in the Peak District. This long stretch of jagged gritstone sits high above the tree line overlooking the dark, deep waters of Ladybower Reservoir.
Bamford Edge is a lovely walk from Bamford station. Visitors can opt to take the direct route from the village, heading up a narrow lane called ‘The Clough’ to reach the eastern flanks of the cliffs. Alternatively, many choose to head towards Ladybower Reservoir before cutting up through gnarly, atmospheric woodland.
A word of warning – Bamford Edge can get busy, especially on a sunny weekend afternoon. It has rapidly become an absolute ‘Instagram’ favourite, with the opportunity to take an epic ‘on the edge’ shot. Those looking for peace and quiet in the Peak District may wish to seek an alternative spot!
Read next: The best view in the Peak District – our guide to Bamford Edge.
3: Ladybower Reservoir from Bamford
Ladybower is one of dozens of reservoirs in the Peak District National Park. Along with its neighbours Howden Reservoir and Derwent Reservoir, it provides drinking water for several major English cities.
Ladybower’s position between the villages of the Hope Valley and the winding A57 makes it an ideal destination for hikers and cyclists. Woodland surrounds much of the reservoir’s shores, and there are a number of trails that visitors can use to explore the area.
Ladybower Dam marks the southernmost point of the reservoir, and is just over 2 miles from Bamford Station.
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4: Derwent Edge and Back Tor from Bamford
Back Tor is an ideal option for those seeking a quieter trail in the Peak District. However, reaching Back Tor from Bamford station requires a long hike – good fitness is vital!
To reach Back Tor from Bamford, you will need to follow the initial route to Ladybower Reservoir, where you will cross the A57 and make your way up to Derwent Edge. Here, you will encounter another splendid collection of twisted rocks and boulders, enjoying wonderful views of Ladybower before eventually reaching the summit of Back Tor.
Once at Back Tor, there is the option to turn around and take the direct route back to Bamford. However, there is the option to complete a longer, circular route via the brilliantly named ‘Lost Lad’, descending to the shores of Derwent Reservoir before following the flat trail back to Ladybower. Be warned – this is a big day!
Peak District walks from Hope Station
Another superbly located village is Hope. What it lacks in population – just under 1000 residents – it more than makes up for in proximity to stunning walks. With a good variety of cafes and pubs, it also offers an ideal base to take a well-earned breather at the end of a long day.
5: Win Hill from Hope
Standing at a modest 462m, Win Hill is a classic Peak District summit. Overlooking the village of Hope, Win Hill offers hikers a spectacular view of some of the Peak District’s most famous landmarks. Mam Tor, Ladybower, the Kinder Plateau – this is one of the finest panoramas in the park.
Hikers can easily reach win Hill from Hope train station. A gentle approach along country lanes and footpaths will bring you to the slopes of the hill. From here, a steep ascent will reward you with unparalleled views across the Peak District.
With the village of Hope still in sight beneath you, there are many routes you can choose for your return. Expect the full walk up Win Hill from Hope train station to be roughly 10km.
6: The Rivers of Derwent and Noe from Hope
For those looking for a Peak District walk that sticks to the lower levels, a gentle stroll along the rivers of the Hope Valley is a perfect choice.
You can easily reach the River Derwent from the villages of Bamford and Hathersage, whilst the River Noe meanders through the valley, overlooked by the Great Ridge on one side and Kinder Scout on the other as it passes through Hope and Edale.
The course of both rivers can be loosely followed by a series of footpaths, although not all stretches are easily accessible. Nonetheless, you will never be too far from a country lane or track should you need to deviate from the river.
The closest station to Lose Hill is Hope, from which you can hop on the Manchester or Sheffield service.
Read more: Top things to do in Fort William without a car
Peak District walks from Edale Station
Edale is perhaps most famous as the start or endpoint of the Pennine Way, one of the UK’s most timeless long-distance walking routes. A number of campsites surround the village, which attracts enough visitors to maintain a couple of popular pubs.
Edale station offers the best starting point for walks up Kinder Scout, the highest summit in the Peak District.
7: Kinder Scout from Edale
At 636m, Kinder Scout may be the highest summit in the Peak District, but it hardly resembles the typical profile of a mountain. In reality, the Kinder Scout plateau is a vast expanse of wonderfully barren moorland. Once you reach the plateau, you can be battered by brutal winds or enveloped by thick, swirling mist.
There are several routes up to Kinder Scout from Edale train station. They range from the standard ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ path to the somewhat more adventurous scrambles up Crowden or Grindsbrook Clough. All are achievable for the experienced hiker, although you should take particular care if you opt for a scramble.
8: Mam Tor from Edale
With its landslide-ridden slopes, Mam Tor is perhaps the most iconic hill in the Peak District. It makes for a dramatic sight when viewed from Win Hill or Lose Hill.
The summit of Mam Tor offers a stunning vista – from the Kinder plateau to the quaint village of Castleton. It is one of the most accessible Peak District summits to reach by car, and can get very busy on a pleasant day.
You can extend a hike up Mam Tor to an adventure along the Great Ridge – perhaps the most famous route in the Peak District.
9: The Great Ridge from Edale
The Great Ridge is a classic walk in the Peak District. Conquering the Great Ridge walk is certainly achievable by train, but it is not for the faint-hearted.
From Edale station, a short, direct slog uphill will take you to the summit of Mam Tor. On your way, you will enjoy breathtaking views across to the Kinder Plateau and down the Hope Valley. A well-paved path takes hikers straight along the ridge to the summit of Lose Hill and down to the village of Hope, from which you can catch your return train.
Read next: Ten brilliant things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds
10: The Pennine Way from Edale
The Pennine Way is one of the UK’s most famous long-distance hiking trails. The mammoth 268-mile trek stretches from Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders, all the way to an unassuming wooden gate on the edge of Edale. If you want to experience a slice of the Pennine Way, this gate is simple to find – just look for the Old Nags Head pub.
Once you’ve set off, a gentle path will lead you through the sleepy fields that lie under the shadow of Kinder Scout. It is worth stopping every so often and casting a glance back in the direction of Edale; a superb view down the valley will be your reward.
You may want to sample just a small section of the Pennine Way. However, with hundreds of miles of potential adventure ahead of you, there can be few better train stations than Edale from which to start a walk – it is a Peak District gem.
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