We think 10 miles is a great distance for a satisfying walk in the Peak District. Enough miles to work up a good appetite for that packed lunch during your walk, or pub grub after! Here we’ve bought together ten of our walks of around 10 miles for you to enjoy.
If you’ve got a good few hours to spare these walks are the perfect way to spend them. There’s a real variety of locations and plenty of amazing Peak District sights, trig points and Ethels to take in too. All you have to do is choose which walk you want to do next!
Here you will find a list of the walks, plus the full route guides and GPX files so you can complete the walk by yourself.
Let me know in the comments which of these walks is your favourite and why!
Our Best 10-Mile Walks in the Peak District
The Peak District is commonly split into two areas; the White Peak and Dark Peak. The White Peak, southern area, gets its name from its paler limestone rock and is known for its lush dales and valleys and gently rolling landscape. The Dark Peak is the more northern area, filled with darker gritstone and romantically rugged moorlands.
We’ve split our 10-mile walking routes into the White Peak and Dark Peak areas, to help you pick your walk of the day.
The terrain and difficulty vary between the walks too, so you can take a read of the walk summaries and make your choice. Once you’ve chosen which route you’re going to do simply click the ‘Walk Route, Map and GPX’ button to find all the information you’ll need to enjoy your walk, including a step-by-step guide and parking and public transport information.
White Peak 10 Mile Walks
Thorpe Cloud, Dovedale and Tissington Trail
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Total Ascent: 414m/1358ft
Let’s kick off our ten mile walk list with this picturesque beauty which combines climbs and lovely views for the first part with a more relaxed stroll along the Tissington Trail at the finish. This walk also takes in a great variety of terrain, from the limestone tracks up and down Thorpe Cloud, to the stepping stones over the River Dove and to the boardwalks which run alongside the river. All these surfaces can become slippery when wet, so do consider your footwear.
There’s also a fun diversion you can take to explore Reynard’s Cave – a little added adventure!
Walk route, map + GPX hereShining Tor and Goyt Valley from Derbyshire Bridge
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 695m/2280ft
Head to the top of Shining Tor, the highest peak in Cheshire, on this must-do walk which has beautiful views over to neighbouring Shutlingsloe hill. Enjoy hiking the Goyt Valley, with its lush yet rugged landscape as well as heading up, via Cats Tor, to your high point on Shining Tor.
On a really clear day you can actually see the peaks all the way over in Snowdonia from the top of Shining Tor!
Walk route, map + GPX hereSir William Hill and River Derwent
Distance: 10.4 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 471m/1545ft
This walk has really packed its bags well – it’s got everything but the kitchen sink included! Take in the fascinating history of Eyam (also known as the Plague Village), a trig point and an Ethel, as well as enjoying some truly fabulous scenery.
It’s well worth putting some time aside to explore Eyam at the start of finish of this walk. The village has lots of information dotted around about its history, as well as plenty of options for refreshments. In fact you’re spoilt for refreshment options whilst on the walk too, so don’t worry if you forget to pack your sandwiches.
Walk route, map + GPX hereThe Roaches, Hen Cloud and Lud’s Church
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Total Ascent: 761m/1545ft
Now, this is really what we mean by variety in a walk! From the heights and sights of The Roaches and Hen Cloud, down into the mystical rocky chasm of Lud’s Church, you won’t be short on the wow factor here.
Lud’s Church isn’t an actual church but it is thought to be an ancient place of worship and you’ll understand why when you descend between its enchanting, rocky walls. Make sure you get to the car park early for this walk though; you won’t be the only ones wanting to explore this fantastic area.
Walk route, map + GPX hereStanton Moor Plantations and Oaker Hill
Distance: 10.3 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Total Ascent: 584m/1916ft
This walk from Birchover has a great list of things to see along the route. It takes in two trig points, the Cork Stone, Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Earl Grey Tower. In addition you get a lovely walk along Wensley Dale and the River Derwent before heading back up to take in views of Robin Hood’s Stride. And that’s only part of the list!
With all those fantastic place names we feel as if we’re entering a Lord of the Rings style movie on this walk! Let your imagination run wild as you explore the sights along the way.
Walk route, map + GPX hereDark Peak 10 Mile Walks
Reservoir Walk (plus Emlin Ridge + Kirk Edge trigs)
Distance: 9.8 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 609m/1998ft
The reservoir walk has more options than a selection box! You can lengthen it, or shorten it and you can choose to ditch the hills and enjoy a flatter option too.
If you do choose the standard 10 miler though you’ll be treated with a couple of nice climbs, with trig points to bag at the top, some lovely reservoir walking and strolls through wooded areas. This walk dips into South Yorkshire and it’s evident in its rolling landscape.
Walk route, map + GPX hereMam Tor via Jacob’s Ladder
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 624m/2047ft
If you’re a regular Peak District walker you’ve probably been up Mam Tor AND you’ve likely hiked Jacob’s Ladder. But, have you done a walk which takes in both? Well, here’s your chance!
This 10 miler starts in the pretty village of Edale and takes you on both busy and quiet paths. Beginning on the Pennine Way, once up Jacob’s Ladder you head onto peaceful Brown Knoll and along Rushup Edge, before crossing to Mam Tor and descending back to your start point. There’s a reason these places are Peak District classics and you’ll see exactly why when you’re on them!
Walk route, map + GPX hereHarry Hut and Lantern Pike
Distance: 9.8 miles
Time: 4.5-5.5 hours
Total Ascent: 600m/1968ft
Yes, we think Harry Hut and Lantern Pike sound like characters from a children’s fantasy book too! But they’re actually trig points on this fantastic walk, which also takes in one of the famous Peak District plane WW2 plane crash sites.
A lot of the climbing is at the start of this walk, heading up from Kinder Reservoir, so you’ll know you’ve done most of the hard work early on. After that it’s time to enjoy the sights across the Kinder Plateau and delightful William Clough on your undulating route, which takes in part of the Penine Bridleway.
Walk route, map + GPX hereDerwent Edge from Ladybower
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 624m/2047ft
The views on this route are a real feast for the eyes! Even at the lower part of the walk you get the lovely sights of Derwent Dam and reservoir. As you climb high up you can admire fantastic gritstone rock formations with brilliant names such as ‘Cakes of Bread’ and ‘Salt Cellar’. Can you squint your eyes to see how their shapes got them their names?
From your high points the views back down to Derwent Reservoir are simply splendid. Your eyes will be as tired as your legs by the time you get back to the start point!
Walk route, map + GPX hereAlport Castles from Ladybower
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Total Ascent: 794m/2604ft
Alport Castles is another walk from Ladybower Reservoir which takes you on quieter paths than our previous one. Although, it also has a little more ascent involved (just in case that sways your vote!).
You will be hiking up through lush woodland scenery, which takes the sting out of the ascent somewhat. When the ground flattens out at Rowlee Pasture you can enjoy the views as you make your way across to Alport Castles. Will you scramble to the top of the tower before you begin your descent back to the start? We did, but we’d only do it in calm weather conditions.
Walk route, map + GPX here
Do you have questions about our 10 mile routes? Ask me in the comments below.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these walks, two maps cover them OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area) and OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Shop online at Ordnance Survey
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Have you enjoyed these 10 mile walks in the Peak District? Perhaps you prefer a shorter or longer one? If so, how about these.
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources.
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Top tips - Read our useful guides on hiking tips here.
Guided Walks with an introduction to map reading (see dates here).
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Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. We always recommend you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries and to take a paper map and compass on your walks. Read more here.
