Discover the Peak District on a short walk from Edale

Published: 9 April 2026

I think Edale must be one of the loveliest walking locations in the Peak District, with tempting paths radiating off in every direction. Since the 1930s, when young ramblers and youth hostellers from Manchester and Sheffield poured out of the trains at Edale station every weekend, this lush green valley has been a gateway to Britain’s oldest National Park.

New generations are now coming here to discover the charms of the Peak District, and as a starter I suggest the relatively short and easy ascent of Mam Tor for breathtaking views. It’s one of the routes I plotted in a series of walking guides produced by leading outdoor publisher (and Campaign for National Parks corporate partner) Cicerone Press.

Edale valley from the path to Hollins Cross

As a writer, Peak District resident and former Chair of the National Park Authority, I love helping people of all backgrounds explore this precious national resource and Cicerone’s Short Walks series is ideal for taking that first step. The short walks in this book include some directly from Edale village, and while one takes you up on to the rugged moorland plateau of Kinder Scout, scene of the celebrated 1932 mass trespass, and another traces the opening stage of the equally historic Pennine Way long distance trail, the walk featured here is more straightforward!

The 2-hour route begins with a long but steady climb up the hillside to reach Hollins Cross on the so-called Great Ridge, separating Edale from the Hope Valley and Castleton. An easy paved ridgetop path then leads all the way to the broad domed summit of Mam Tor, from where you can see for miles in every direction and get a sense of why this landscape was considered so special that it needed protecting for the nation. Although it might be windy on the 1,696ft (517m) summit, you’re unlikely to need any specialist gear beyond robust footwear and a weatherproof coat.

Mam Tor’s paved summit

The 15 short walks in this book introduce you to a variety of locations around Edale and the Hope Valley, including the villages of Castleton, Bamford and Hathersage, and range from gentle valley floor and waterside routes to more adventurous hilltop and moorland outings. They include the famous gritstone climbing edge of Stanage, Ladybower Reservoir’s tree-lined shore, the Iron Age hillfort of Carl Wark and the so-called ‘plague village’ of Eyam.

Edale is one of five stations on the Hope Valley line that enjoy a frequent daily train service from Manchester and Sheffield, while nearby Castleton is served by regular buses from Sheffield and Buxton, so there’s ample opportunity to visit car-free and minimise your environmental footprint. 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Peak District National Park, the first to be established in Britain after protracted lobbying by Campaign for National Parks, and these 555 square miles of natural beauty in the heart of England continue to make a vital contribution to the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of people. With the help of Cicerone, step out and enjoy it for yourself.