Ready for some wonderful long walks in the Peak District? If you enjoy a longer hike when you’re exploring this National Park then these routes are just for you.
Here are nine brilliant long walks in the Peak District. There is a mix of options from 12 to 24 miles, with both linear and circular walks so you can pick the one to suit you best. You’ll find some of the classic Peak District challenges as well as other long walks that you might not have thought of doing. The Peak District certainly has plenty of great hikes to choose from.
These walks are perfect for a full day’s adventure in the Peak District or if you’re planning a multi-day long-distance hike then they make perfect training walks to build your stamina over longer distances.
If you’ve not hiked long distances before then maybe start with some of our 10-mile walks to build up more slowly to the distance.
Which long walks in the Peak District have you done already? Let me know in the comments.
9 Long Walks in the Peak District
Each walk has a post with a full guide, including where to start, parking options, map, GPX file and other useful information. Start by scrolling through the different hikes and see which one you like the sound of. Then for the full walk click the button below and it will take you to a more detailed post.
Edale Skyline walk (from Hope or Edale)
Distance: 20 miles/32 km (or 24 miles/38 km)
Walk time: 8-10 hours (or 10-12 hours)
Total ascent: 1,252 m/4,107 ft or (1,607 m/5,272 ft)
Starting with one of the Peak District classic long-distance walks, the Edale Skyline. This hike takes you on a circular loop around Edale in the Hope Valley. The skyline walk takes you along the hills and ridges with beautiful views (on a good day of course!)
Here you can find details for the Skyline walk starting from Hope (directly on the route) or alternatively, you can start from Edale where the traditional fell race also starts.
The difference between the two start points is distance, ascent and time. From Edale, you’re adding on an extra 4 miles to the hike, but Edale is also a very popular place to start walks in the UK so Hope is a slightly quieter option, and you get the tough climb to Win Hill done first!
Here you can find the GPX files for both walk options plus other useful information.
Walk route, GPX + map here
Kinder Scout + Kinder Reservoir from Edale
Distance: 15 miles/24 km
Walk time: 7-8 hours
Total ascent: 1,183 m/3,881 ft
A great long walk starting from Edale village, this route starts with a walk and then scramble up Grindsbrook Clough to the top of the Kinder Plateau and from here you walk around the edge all the way to Kinder Downfall.
After enjoying the views from this iconic spot the walk continues along the edge then down to Kinder Reservoir via William Clough. From here you can look back up the edge of Kinder Plateau where you’ve walked.
Finally, it’s across fields to pick up the Pennine Way path via Jacob’s Ladder back to Edale for a well-deserved rest.
Walk route, map + GPX here
Higher Shelf Stones + Mill Hill (from Snake Pass)
Distance: 14 miles/22.5 km
Walk time: 6-8 hours
Total ascent: 902 m/2,963 ft
A walk with an emotional side, as it takes you via the Bleaklow plane crash site from 1948. This route begins from Snake Pass, near Snake Woodlands and starts as a low-level walk through the woods before reaching Snake Pass and taking Doctor’s Path over the moorland.
Then you turn off heading for Higher Shelf Stones and the plane crash site before continuing the walk to Lower Shelf Stones then down to Shelf Brook for a real mix of different scenery. After not much ascent you now have a hike back up to Snake Pass where you cross over towards Kinder Plateau.
The route goes via the Pennine Way Path up to Mill Hill and finally, you do the last section along Ashop Clough with runs parallel to Kinder plateau all the way back to Snake Pass.
Here you can find the GPX files for the walk plus other useful information.
Walk route, GPX + map here
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Pennine Way from Edale to Crowden
Distance: 17 miles/28 km
Walk time: 8-9 hours
Total ascent: 1,008 m/3,307 ft
Here is the start of a brilliant long walk, the Pennine Way, a 268-mile national trail that winds its way up the Pennines, sometimes known as the spine of Britain (hence the Spine Fell Race).
But don’t worry, this route isn’t the full trail, it’s the beautiful day 1 section from Edale to Crowden. The reason this is the traditional day 1 section is that there is pretty much nothing in between Edale and Crowden (except a remote section of Snake Pass road), so it’s a tough walk.
This long walk takes you from Edale on the official Pennine Way trail, via Kinder Scout, Kinder Downfall, Bleaklow, on to Clough Edge and down to Torside Reservoir at Crowden.
Here you can find all the information you need to know about this Pennine Way hike.
Walk route, GPX + map here
9 Edges Walk (Derwent Edge to Birchen Edge)
Distance: 23 miles/36 km
Walk time: 9-11 hours
Total ascent: 1,211 m/3,973 ft
In terms of distance, this is up there with the long walks but if you’re looking for a first longer challenge then this might be for you. The beginning of the walk starts hiking up to Derwent Edge via Lost Lad and Back Tor, but from here the uphill sections aren’t as much as this first part.
From Derwent Edge, you walk along, then a short up and down to Stanage Edge – these are the two longest edges and you’ll almost be at the halfway point.
The next edges come thick and fast, ticking off Froggatt Edge, Curbar Edge and Baslow Edge in quick succession, before a final down and then up to the last two edges – Gardom’s Edge and Birchen Edge.
As regards to navigating this walk, the edges are perfect and easy not to go the wrong way, then you just have the sections in between which aren’t too challenging either.
Overall, I’d recommend this as a brilliant first long walk to do. The only negative is this is a linear walk, so you’ll either need to recruit a second person to hike with and leave cars at the start and end or find someone happy enough to drop you off and pick you up
Walk route, map + GPX file here
Stanage Edge + Derwent Edge from Bamford
Distance: 13.6 miles/21.8 km
Walk time: 6.5-7.5 hours
Total ascent: 472 m/1,657 ft
A great long walk if you’d like to start from a train station instead of driving! From Bamford train station you’ll head out of the village and up to Stanage Edge where you can bag a trig and enjoy the views from the edge as you walk along.
Then it’s down and on towards Derwent Edge via farmland before reaching the top of the edge and heading up to the iconic gritstone rocks known as the ‘Wheelstones’. This is a small out and back but there are great views from here and they are pretty cool to explore, or stop for a snack.
Once you’ve skirted around the footpath along Derwent Edge, enjoying the views of Ladybower Reservoir you’ll head down and walk alongside the reservoir. Then it’s over Ladybower Dam where you’ll see the giant plugholes! These don’t overflow very often but you might get lucky as you walk past them.
The last part of the walk is along the Thornhill Trail all the way back to Bamford at the end of the walk.
Walk route, GPX + map here
Dovestone Reservoir + The Trinnacles Walk from Greenfield
Distance: 12 miles/19 km
Walk time: 6/7 hours
Total ascent: 857 m/2,812 ft
The walk on the list might be the shortest of them all but it still includes over 800 metres of ascent so it will be a good challenging day. If you’re building up your distances then this is a good hike to start with before attempting those big 20+ mile routes.
The route starts near Greenfield and from here it’s a lovely gentle start alongside the reservoirs before a water crossing and fun scramble up Birchen Clough (including a beautiful waterfall) to reach the edge overlooking Saddleworth Moor.
Once you’re on the edge you remain walking along the top for a good section of the walk, looking down to beautiful views of Dovestone Reservoir and the surrounding hills to Chew Reservoir, then it’s along to Alphin Pike before ascending back down.
This walk might only be 12 miles but with the beautiful views, waterfalls and fun rock formations to explore it will probably take you longer to hike it!
Walk route, GPX + map here
Margery Hill + Outer Edge Trigs from Langsett Reservoir
Distance: 12.6 miles/20.3 km
Walk time: 5-6 hours
Total ascent: 505 m/1,657 ft
A lovely 13-mile route in the South Yorkshire part of the Peak District National Park. Be prepared though, this walk can be boggy in places so it’s definitely not a route to do on a rainy day!
From Langsett Reservoir you head first up to the moorlands and the first trig of the walk, Margery Hill with stunning views of the Upper Derwent Valley. You’ll then head across to Outer Edge where you’ll reach the second trig point and there’s an option to detour to the gritstone rock formation known as the Crow Stones.
Then it’s back to Langsett Reservoir to finish the walk. And as with all good long walks in the Peak District, this one has a pub close to the finishing point so you can stop for refreshments!
Walk route, GPX + map here
Stanage Edge from Redmires Reservoir
Distance: 12.6 miles/20.3 km
Walk time: 5-6 hours
Total ascent: 529 m/1,733 ft
Another 13-mile route that this time includes one of the iconic Peak District spots on your long walk, Stanage Edge. Beginning the walk from Upper Redmires Reservoir you’ll head on a lovely walk which includes three trig points, there’s a bonus fourth one if you want to extend the walk.
The first trig point is Rod Moor, before then heading down to Wyming Brook Nature Reserve and enjoying the beautiful woodlands throughout this area. The next trig point is Ox Stones, before finally heading up to walk along Stanage Edge, where there’s the third and potentially fourth trig points.
If you want to add High Neb trig point then it’s an extra 2 miles/3 km so upping your long walk to a 15-mile route. The route then heads via Stanage Pole before looping back to the start at Redmires Reservoir.
Walk route, GPX + map here
Let me know if you have any questions about these Peak District long walks in the comments below.
Top tips for long walks
Are you planning on setting off on your first long walk? Here are a few of my top tips to ensure you have a brilliant day out.
- Start early – make sure you get parking as you don’t want to add extra miles if you have to park further away from the start.
- Have a good dinner the night before and a proper breakfast – you’ll enjoy the walk with more energy!
- Get a filter water bottle – it saves you carrying extra water on the day (there are plenty of streams/water sources on most routes).
- Take lots of snacks and keep topping up your energy levels on the walk. Snack regularly.
- Take a map/compass to navigate as well as your online navigation – you don’t want to get lost on a long walk due to technology failure! Or get in touch to book me (Becky) as your guide :).
- Consider the daylight hours, especially if you’re walking in the winter months.
And that’s it, download the GPX file from the walk routes and off you go on your Peak District adventure.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these long walks, there are two maps that cover them OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area) and OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Buy a paper map at outdoor shops or shop online at Amazon or Ordnance Survey
And don’t forget your compass I recommend the Silva Expedition compass, you can get cheaper models but this is the best version.
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
Are you adding some of these walks to your list but feel like you might need to do some more mid-range distances first? These 10-mile routes are the perfect distance to train your legs for longer walks and they have beautiful views too!
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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Top tips - Read our useful guides on hiking tips here.
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Visit our hiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit).
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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.
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