Whether you like a refreshing dip or an icy plunge there are some great spots to get your wild swimming hit when out walking in the Peak District. Some spots are more obvious than others but we can help you find them, while also enjoying a walk to warm you up pre and post-swim. Here we have 10 of our favourite Peak District walks with wild swimming spots. They vary in length from 4 to 10 miles so you can choose to just be out for a couple of hours, or make a full day of it.
Here we’ve given you a brief summary description of each walk to whet your appetite. Once you’ve chosen the walk and swim which makes you want to dive in simply click the link to reach the full description, map and GPX of the walking route!
Let me know in the comments which of these wild swimming walks you’ve done!
10 Best Wild Swimming Walks in the Peak District
The Peak District might not be as well known as the Lake District for wild swimming but it still has its delights and they are even more precious because they can be harder to find. For the wild swimmers among you a day out isn’t complete without a dip at some point. For those of you who are dipping their toe into the wild swimming world we recommend you do some research into the effects of cold water and how to swim outdoors in the safest way.
In the main walk posts you will find a detailed route description, as well as the map and GPX, making it as easy as possible for you to plan your time in the Peak District. The times in the walk descriptions don’t take into account time to stop and swim, so make sure to factor that into your planning for the day.
Three Shires Head Walk From Wildboarclough
Distance: 5.5 miles/8.8 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 369 m/1181 ft
This lovely route from Wildboarclough takes you to the popular swim spot of Three Shires Head, complete with it’s packhorse bridges and waterfalls.
This walk begins from Clough House car park in Wildboarclough, and goes via a rocky track and fields to Three Shires Head before looping back via Cut-thorn Hill where you have views of Shutlingsloe in the distance, which gradually gets closer towards the end of the walk.
There’s an option to do a short extra loop to tick off Shutlingsloe summit, about 1.7 miles. Totally worth it if it’s a clear day, as you’ll have stunning views from the top and you can bag a trig point too!
Dipping in Three Shires head is always a refreshing experience. You can choose the ‘main’ pool below the packhorse bridge or dip in another pool a little up or downstream, where you might get a more private swim spot.
Walk route + map hereRiver Dove Short Walk from Alstonefield
Distance: 4.2 miles/6.7 km
Walk time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Total ascent: 238 m/780 ft
A short but beautiful walk from Alstonefield in Staffordshire. This 4-mile short loop heads across fields, then down to the River Dove where you can enjoy a nature-filled walk next to the river, as well as a cooling dip in it!
You’ll get the hillier part of the walk done in the first half, which should warm you up nicely for your dip. If you prefer to warm up after you can always do the walk in reverse! Either way, you’re alongside the river for a good portion of the walk, so you can choose a spot which takes your fancy for a swim. The river is shallow in places but also has deeper pools to immerse yourself in.
If you prefer a longer and slightly more challenging walk, which still takes in the River Dove why not check out our 10 mile Thorpe Cloud, Dovedale & Tissington Trail walk.
Walk route + map hereKinder Scout Walk (via Fair Brook) from Snake Pass
Distance: 8 miles/13 km
Walk time: 4-5 hours
Total ascent: 694 m/2276 ft
Kinder Scout is a huge moorland plateau in the Peak District and it’s also the highest point in the National Park at 636 metres. There are a great variety of routes onto the plateau but this one takes you up the quieter northern side, providing some lovely dipping opportunities along the way.
As you ascend there are a few sections along the walk you can stop to cool off in the water, including a few mini dammed off sections with mini waterfalls.
Walk route + map hereRiver Derwent Short Walk from Hathersage
Distance: 4.8 miles/7.7 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 182 m/597 ft
Here’s a lovely short walk from Hathersage along the River Derwent, then up towards Offerton Moor to enjoy the scenic landscape of the Derwent Valley and surrounding hills.
The Derwent itself is a great river for a little dip, with shallower and deeper spots to suit whatever you want. You can dip near the stepping stones before you head to the uphill section of the walk, towards Offerton Moor, to help you warm back up!
Hathersage is a beautiful little village in the Derbyshire Peak District. It’s a perfect location to start and finish a walk as there are many facilities there, from shops to cafes and pubs.
Walk route + map hereWant to read later? Save the walk to Pinterest
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Bradford Dale Walk from Youlgreave
Distance: 5.9 miles/9.4 km
Walk time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Total ascent: 367 m/1204 ft
Bradford Dale walk is a wonderful walk near the quaint village of Youlgreave. And there’s a popular swimming spot on the route. It’s a lovely fairly low-level walk, in fact, most of the descent is the section to and from the car park. A beautiful walk, perfect any time of year but spring is especially idyllic as the dale comes to life with plants and flowers.
The route starts by following the Limestone Way path down to the River Bradford, before heading along the river then across fields of sheep walking towards Youlgreave.
Once you reach the village, you’ll do a lovely short loop before returning to the same spot and walking down the River Bradford, until you ascend back up to pick up the Limestone Way to the car park. The swim spot is in the village of Youlgreave itself. There you will find a dammed section of the river, with a wide pool, which has a lido like feel to it.
Walk route + map hereChatsworth House Walk via Edensor from Baslow
Distance: 7.2 miles/11.6 km
Walk time: 3-4 hours
Total ascent: 211 m/692 ft
The River Derwent at Chatsworth is another popular swim spot. There are lots of spots you can get int the water here but some people prefer to enter between the two weirs (a little higher up the river than the spot on this walk) and swim between them. On one weekend at the end of August you can have an extra special swim, when hundreds of hot air balloons take off every morning during Chatsworth Country Fair.
On this walk you head into Chatsworth Park then up into the woods. The route takes you via Chatsworth Hunting Tower then on to the aqueduct, it’s a lovely route for all weathers, as in warm weather there’s shade from the trees, and on rainy days you’ll have some shelter.
You can stop to explore Chatsworth House and grounds if you like, before taking a swim in the river.
Walk route + map hereKinder Scout from Hayfield (via Red Brook Scramble)
Distance: 9.4 miles/15.1 km
Walk time: 4-5 hours
Total ascent: 673 m/2208 ft
This Kinder Scout walk from Hayfield is a great way to hike to the top of the highest point in the Peak District. This 9-mile walk is more of a challenging route taking you up a fun scramble to the top.
The start of the walk can be popular, as there are a few different routes up Kinder Scout from Hayfield. But once you reach the reservoir you’ll turn off and head away up to a lovely off-path route following the River Kinder.
In the walk description there’s the option to do a small detour to the Mermaid’s Pool; an rare inland saline pool with mythical connections! Then up a fun and challenging scramble route via Red Brook all the way to Kinder Scout plateau. Some people like to dip at Red Brook and Kinder Downfall too, but make sure you watch your footing when negotiating these.
Walk route + map hereBlackden Brook to Kinder Plateau
Distance: 6.3 miles/10.1 km
Walk time: 3-4 hours
Total ascent: 660 m/2165 ft
Another great walk which takes you onto the Kinder Plateau! This is a relatively short hike in terms of distance, but with tough terrain, a rocky scramble and lots of waterfalls to explore (and swim under!) it will probably take you longer than you think!
This route begins from Snake Pass, where you first hike up Blackden Brook, walking past a couple of waterfalls on the route and detouring off-path to reach the biggest one (if you want!) Towards the top of Blackden Brook, there’s a brilliant but challenging scramble (read ‘Other Information’) to the top of the Kinder Plateau.
Take your time and enjoy invigorating showers under the waterfalls and dips in the pools beneath them as you go!
Walk route + map hereRiver Alport – Alport Castles from Fairholmes
Distance: 10 miles/17 km
Walk time: 4-5 hours
Total ascent: 794 m/2604 ft
Alport Castles walk is a great route to do from Ladybower Reservoir, with a mix of beautiful views, rocks, streams and woodlands.
You climb up to reach Alport Castles to enjoy the views and even scramble to the top of ‘the tower’, before descending and walking along the River Alport towards Alport Bridge. It’s then along the River Ashop before another ascent and descent back to the car park at Ladybower.
There are a few swim opportunities on this route. The obvious ones are dotted along the river on your return route, with various larger pools creating lovely spots. Another option is a slight diversion down to a small and shallow lake beneath Alport Castles themself. For this, take the faint path NW for around 150m, before retracing your steps to rejoin the route after.
Walk route + map hereCrowden Clough Scramble (via Grindslow Knoll) from Barber Booth
Distance: 5.8 miles/9.3 km
Walk time: 3.5-4.5 hours
Total ascent: 528 m/1732 ft
This is a lovely fun scramble route up Crowden Clough from Barber Booth, not far from the village of Edale in Derbyshire.
The Crowden Clough scramble is similar to the Grindsbrook Clough one; however, there is one trickier section, which makes it a Grade 2 scramble. Details are included in the main walk description.
Although the ‘swim’ in this walk is more of a dip, it’s still well worth doing! As you start to climb up Crowden Clough you’ll come to a waterfall with its dipping pool beneath. It’s a scramble down to it but it’s a pretty find with lots of green moss dripping around it.
There will be plenty of time after to warm up after as you reach the scramble section of the hike, before heading round to Grindslow Knoll and then back to your start point.
Walk route + map here
Do you have any more questions about these wild swim walks? Ask me in the comments below.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these walks, there are two maps that 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 compass, it’s more expensive but a valuable piece of kit!
For online maps, you can get via OS Online App or Viewranger App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Love these wild swimming walks in the Peak District? We have a couple more walks which have dipping opportunities for you to check out.
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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