7 Ways to Celebrate The Peak District 70th Anniversary

Trees, river and footpath - River Dove

On the 17th April 1951, the Peak District National Park was officially founded as the first national park in the UK. To help you celebrate this wonderful national park here are 7 fantastic ways you can celebrate the Peak District’s 70th Anniversary.

And yes, I know I could have done 70 ideas, but I’m keeping life easier with a ‘7 theme’ whilst we ease back from lockdown 🙂

The official anniversary is Saturday 17th April 2021, however, let’s celebrate throughout the entire month of April. And if you’re planning a trip to the Peak District on 17th April consider a less popular walk so there will be a fewer people about.

Let me know in the comments if you’re planning a 70th celebration and what you’re doing

.

Peak District 70th Anniversary Ideas

Happy 70th anniversary Peak District!

If you’d like to get involved then use the #PeakDistrictWalks70 to share what you’re planning or have done to celebrate the 70th anniversary. We’ll share your ideas and photos on our Instagram @peakdistrictwalksuk

Kinder Plateau
Rocks along Kinder Plateau towards Ringing Roger

Here are our 7 Peak District ideas:

Go for a walk + a picnic 

We all love a good walk in the Peak District but why not celebrate the 70th anniversary with a beautiful walk followed by a picnic. Pack some yummy treats and maybe take an anniversary cake! 

There are plenty of pretty spots so take your pick on where you want to visit. 

Gritstone rocks and views
Views from Curbar Edge

A few good picnic spots include Stanage Edge, Curbar Edge or alongside the River Dove, near Dovedale or Wolfscote Dale.  

Important – Please remember to take all your rubbish with you when you go – thank you lovely walkers 🙂

Walk 70 miles 

Here’s a fun and tough challenge that you can complete over the month of April.

With so many beautiful Peak District walks you’re spoilt for choice where to visit over your 70 miles challenge.

Lord's Seat looking towards Mam Tor
Lord’s Seat looking towards Mam Tor

You can go big and do some long 20+ miles walks, such as the Edale Skyline or 9 Edges Challenge or maybe opt for 10 x 7 mile walks across the month. Search out walks by mileage here to find the 7 walks you’re planning to do now!

Option – Instead of 70 miles you could set yourself a challenge to walk 70 km 

Hike uphill 70 metres (or more)

With some beautiful hills in the Peak District, why not head uphill to celebrate.

Luckily pretty much every hill in the Peak District involves a 70 metres climb. But if you fancy one of the shorter ones, you can begin with a walk up Thorpe Cloud.

Thorpe Cloud in Peak District - Hill and purple flowers
Thorpe Cloud

From the summit there are idyllic views of the River Dove winding through the dale and it makes the tough climb worth it.

Look out for our Thorpe Cloud charity patch coming soon. For more information and to find out when they go on sale sign up here.

Create 70 mini Peak District challenges

Here’s a fun one for those of you with kids (big kids included too). Make a list of 70 things you want to see, do, hear, smell or touch in the Peak District and over the month challenge yourself to complete the full list. 

Complete over one long walk or do lots of shorter walks.

Thor's Cave Peak District
Final steps up to Thor’s Cave

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Climb over a stile
  2. Spot a sheep
  3. See a waterfall – Read 15 Peak District waterfalls
  4. Find a yellow wildflower
  5. Jump in a puddle
  6. Find a cave – check out out post on Peak District caves to visit here
  7. Walk 70 steps
  8. Eat a Bakewell Tart
  9. Like a photo on @peakdistrictwalksuk Instagram!
  10. Find a millstone

Your turn now…

Go on the official Peak District Trespass Walk

On 24th April 1932, a group of around 500 walkers set off on a walk to protest for their rights to have access to this beautiful area in the UK. Without this group of people the founding of the national park in 1951 may not have happened. 

Kinder Scout
Heading towards Kinder Scout plateau

The 8-mile route begins in Hayfield and heads up via Kinder Reservoir then up to Kinder Scout before looping back down to Hayfield. The full walk route and description will be added to the website soon. 

Go on 7 Peak District walks

Pick your favourite 7 places to visit in the Peak District or maybe 7 new ones that you’ve been adding to your walks list!

You can choose any distance but spread your walks out across the month of April to celebrate throughout the month.

Peveril Castle in Cave Dale
Peveril Castle in Cave Dale

Search our walks by mileage to find the best walk for you to hike.

Complete this ‘Mini 7 Challenge’

Here’s a challenge to complete over the month of April or if you want to make it really difficult you could try incorporating them on one very long walk!

  1. Hike up any Peak District hill
  2. Walk around a Peak District reservoir
  3. Visit one of the Derbyshire Dales
  4. Spot a Peak District millstone
  5. Walk along one of the Peak District ‘edges’ – Check out the 9 edge challenge here for ideas
  6. Bag a Peak District trig point – See all 88 trigs here.
  7. Visit a Peak District pub (or sit outside it!)
Red Lion pub at Litton
Red Lion pub at Litton

 

Bonus challenge idea

Peak District Trig Point Challenge

Why not make a challenge for the year to celebrate the 70th anniversary. See if you can complete all 88 trig points in the Peak District by the end of 2021. Obviously, as long as we don’t get stuck in lockdown again!

The Peak District trig point challenge is designed for those people who want to explore more of the Peak District and have mini trig celebrations along the way too!

Here you can find a list of all 88 trig points and walks to complete the challenge. And here’s a list of everyone that’s currently taking on the Trig Point Challenge!

What do you think of these ideas? Let us know in the comments what you’re planning to do to celebrate 70th anniversary.

.

Ordnance Survey Walk Maps

For these Peak District walks, there are two maps required 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. 

Find all our Peak District walking routes here

View walks directory here

*Peak District Walks participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here.

Peak District Walks is a FREE online resource. Are you enjoying the walks? You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Thank you very much 🙂

Peak District charity patches

Peak District Walks have their own charity patches raising funds for the 'Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation' (charity no. 506681) - supporting the seven Mountain Rescue Teams in the Peak District. Order our very own 'Peak District Walks' design or select from one of our location patches - Mam Tor, Kinder Scout, Thorpe Cloud, The Roaches or Win Hill patch. Please visit our shop below. If you'd like to know when new designs are created, join our mailing list here to be notified.

Read about the charity here.

Charity Patches

Mam Tor Patch

£5.00

Charity Patches

Kinder Scout Patch

£5.00
Sale!

Charity Patches

Thorpe Cloud Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.
Sale!

Charity Patches

The Roaches Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.

Charity Patches

Win Hill Patch

£5.00
Sale!

Charity Patches

Peak District Walks Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.
visit our shop

Need more help planning your Peak District trip?

Join our Peak District walks Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and Twitter for inspiration.

More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources.

Check out the 7 YHAs in the Peak District and find the best walks direct from your accommodation.

Find out what maps you will need for your trip here.

Top tips - Read our useful guides on hiking tips here.

Guided Walks with an introduction to map reading (see dates here).

Visit our hiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit).

Or get in touch and I will help as best I can :).

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.

2 thoughts on “7 Ways to Celebrate The Peak District 70th Anniversary

    • Becky - Peak District Walker says:

      You’re very welcome, I think a lot of us feel the same. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long now! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *