Walks, Hikes & Bikes Around Edale

The Peak District is not only a walkers’ paradise. For cyclists there are extensive and challenging mountain bike trails and road routes, and networks of old railway tracks converted to stunning family friendly cycle paths over viaducts and through the dales. Let us know if you need bike hire. There are lots of lovely circular walks and some lower, flatter walks suitable for younger children, alongside some tough climbs and full day out yomps on the top of Kinder Plateau.

This area is internationally acclaimed for its rock climbing and caving. We partner with Acclimbatize if you wish to organise tutored activities in the area, learning new skills or honing old ones. For those that wish to take to the air, the best paragliding and gliding clubs are just over the hill.

In summer the rock pools and waterfalls of Grindsbrook provide ample hours of fun or, for the less hearty, head to the open air pool in Hathersage, heated through summer and autumn. During winter months there are some awesome ‘natural’ ski slopes which can be driven to up the top of the valley.

There are some maps in your tent – if you would like any advice on routes and suitability please corner either Kirsty or Tommy to plan your day out. In the meantime here are some simple routes that we regularly enjoy to get you started…

A Stroll from Edale to Ollerbrook Booth

Circular route. 10 minutes there and 15 minutes back! And very FLAT!

Head down the lane in front of the Nags Head Pub, across the old stone packhorse bridge and up the steps into the meadow – arriving in Ollerbrook Booth, a pretty collection of cottages and farms.

Return to Edale via the farmyard but following the signs to the church and heading diagonally across the meadow.

Our Verdict: Perfect for little ones with little legs and those in the mood for an evening stroll.

Up the Nab and Down to Ollerbrook and Back via Nages Head Pub

Circular route. Allow an hour for grown-up legs.

A good climb up the stone path and steps to The Nab for those with strong legs – but perfectly suitable for energetic children! – followed by a lovely wind down into the meadows in Ollerbrook and back to the Nags Head Pub for a well-deserved tipple.

Our Verdict: Nice safe walk on a stone path that gets your heart pumping on the climb up and delivers magnificent views of the village and valley below. Ends at the pub for a well-deserved drink.

Up Grindsbrook and Back to the Village Along the Pennine Way

Circular Route. Allow 40 minutes – or more if you head further upstream (some great pools and waterfalls to splash in and picnic spots in abundance).

A lovely walk along the old start of the Pennine Way on a gentle incline, across local woodsman Robin Wood’s hand-carved wooden bridge and up onto the open moor along Grindsbrook.

This route is great for kids who love to splash in streams, build dams and enjoy getting wet! Keep following Grindsbrook upstream for great pools to splash in and waterfalls to clamber. In the summer months and fall, the area is teeming with bilberries and blackberries.

Our Verdict: Having a picnic in the beautiful open moorland of Grindsbrook with kids building dams in the steam is one of life’s best moments. If the weather isn’t great for a picnic, tog up for wet weather and kids will enjoy leaping over the stream as you climb higher up Grindsbrook – a simple form of canyoning!

Up to Upper Booth and Back on the Lower Route

Circular Route. Allow 2.5 hours – a gently rolling walk half way up the valley and back along the bottom of the valley. Refer to map.

Head into the village and veer right at the Nag’s Head Pub past the pretty cottage and up the new Pennine Way official start. Follow the path to Upper Booth then drop down and return to Edale along the lower path.

Our Verdict: A lovely afternoon/morning walk which is not too strenuous on the knees. Head to the Rambler for supper or lunch on return.

Bigger Walks

There are oodles of all-day walks around here – but here are some ideas for the more hardy (our children aged 5 and 6 can manage the walk to Castleton and Hope)…

1. Around Kinder Plateau – Circular Route – 5 hours – Around Kinder from Grindsbrook and back down Jacob’s Ladder, passing through the incredible Woolpack Stones that inspired artists such as Henry Moore. Refer to map.
2. Over Mam Tor to Castleton or along Mam Tor to Hope – One way return via taxi or train (or walk if feeling hardy!) – 2 hours – Head over Mam Tor, an old bronze age fort, and drop down into Castleton for lunch or keep going along the spine towards Losehill and Hope for a bite to eat at the Cheshire Cheese or spa hotel, Losehill House. Then if the legs are too tired to return, jump on the train back to Edale (one stop from Hope) or call 2Nice taxis in Hope 01433 623427.
3. Over Kinder to Chinley and Whitehough for lunch – 5 hours – Up over Kinder dropping down towards Chinley and up to Whitehough lunching/early sups at the Old Hall Inn or its sister Paper Mill Inn across the road .Then drop back to Chinley and grab the little train – one stop to Edale (journey time 9 minutes).

The Monsal Trail

30 minutes away. The Monsal Trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District’s most spectacular limestone dales. The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line and through old railway tunnels, each about 400 metres long, making it a great trip out for kids. Hire bikes (£10 per adult for 2 hours; £6 for children’s bikes) from Hassop Bike Hire at Hassop Café.

Our Verdict: A great day out cycling through tunnels and across spectacular gorges on viaducts. Pull over and have a picnic.

Mountain Biking

Edale is teeming with great mountain bike routes right from the village. Please see the maps in the tents for routes. We have a couple of spare bikes here if you haven’t brought your own.