Walks in the Derbyshire countryside

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking and Walking in Derbyshire and the Peak District

Discover the best of Derbyshire's countryside with our comprehensive guide to the region's finest walking trails, scenic viewpoints, and hidden gems. Whether you are hunting for rugged gritstone edges in the Peak District National Park or seeking tranquil riverside strolls in the peaceful Derbyshire Dales, our curated collection of Derbyshire walks offers diverse landscapes for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Plan your next outdoor adventure with our detailed route guides below.

Dramatic Edge Walks and Moorland Hikes (Dark Peak)

If you are looking for challenging terrain, panoramic views, and classic Peak District gritstone, these upland routes deliver spectacular scenery.

Kinder Scout and Grindsbrook Clough

Trail Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 10.1 miles
Keywords: Kinder Scout route, hiking Edale, Grindsbrook Clough walk
Why do it: Tackle a true Peak District classic. This challenging route takes you from Edale up the dramatic rocky scramble of Grindsbrook Clough onto the wild, expansive Kinder Scout plateau.

Back Tor and Derwent Edge

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 9.79 miles
Keywords: Derwent Edge walk, Back Tor hiking, Peak District edge walks
Why do it: Experience some of the finest gritstone rock formations in the national park. This route offers sweeping views over the Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs below.

Froggatt Edge, Curbar and White Edge

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 9.5 miles
Keywords: Curbar Edge walk, Froggatt Edge trail, Peak District gritstone walks
Why do it: Walk along the famous parallel gritstone edges. This route serves up continuous, uninterrupted views across the Derwent Valley and features dramatic vertical drops.

Picturesque Dale and Riverside Walks (White Peak)

For those who prefer peaceful limestone valleys, crystalline rivers, and historic trails, these southern Derbyshire walks are ideal.

Lathkill Dale and Youlgreave

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 7.8 miles
Keywords: Lathkill Dale walk, Youlgreave trails, Derbyshire dales walks
Why do it: Explore one of the prettiest dales in Derbyshire. This walk features clear river paths, historic limestone mining remains, and beautiful valley scenery near the village of Youlgreave.

Halldale, Milldale and Wolfscote Dale

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 9.02 miles
Keywords: Milldale walk, Wolfscote Dale trail, River Dove walking routes
Why do it: Follow the northern stretches of the River Dove through steep-sided limestone gorges, exploring the quiet, scenic corners of Milldale and Wolfscote Dale.

Chatsworth Estate Circular

Trail Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 8.01 miles
Keywords: Chatsworth Estate walk, easy walks Derbyshire, Bakewell walking trails
Why do it: A gentler, scenic loop taking in the historic parklands, woodlands, and surrounding estates of the famous Chatsworth House.

Historical Trails and Hidden Gems

Discover the local history, unique landmarks, and quieter corners of the Derbyshire countryside.

Eyam and Coombs Dale

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 8.14 miles
Keywords: Eyam historic walk, Coombs Dale route, plague village trails
Why do it: Combine the fascinating history of the historic "Plague Village" of Eyam with a quiet, sheltered walk through the tranquil limestone habitat of Coombs Dale.

Nine Ladies and Robin Hoods Stride

Trail Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 8.52 miles
Keywords: Nine Ladies stone circle walk, Robin Hoods Stride trail, Stanton Moor hikes
Why do it: Perfect for history lovers, this trail guides you across Stanton Moor to the Bronze Age Nine Ladies Stone Circle and the distinctive gritstone rocks of Robin Hood's Stride.

Shardlow and Bellington Hill

Trail Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 9.4 miles
Keywords: Shardlow canal walk, South Derbyshire walking routes, easy low-level trails
Why do it: Head south of the Peak District to explore the historic inland canal port of Shardlow, offering flat, peaceful waterside walking away from the hill crowds.