Peak District guided walks with map reading
We launched our first guided walk in June 2021 organised by Becky Angell (Mountain Leader) from ‘Peak District Walks’ and Emma Holland (Mountain Leader) and experienced teacher in navigation courses from ‘Emma Holland Mountaineering’.
Our walks are different to most ‘Guided Walks’ as we cover an Introduction to Map Reading, which means you can enjoy a beautiful walk in the Peak District and learn a few beginner skills too!
If you are unable to join one of these walks but are interested in finding out when the next walks are, please join the mailing list and we will email as soon as we have new dates. If you have questions or ideas about future routes you’d like to do please drop me an email.
Thanks
Becky
Walk feedback
“Having been on the recent guided walk with an introduction to map reading I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone planning day hikes or longer, it was really interesting and learned some great new skills.
I found actually seeing the flora and fauna really good and the guides were so knowledgeable and helpful answering any questions, this is something you don’t get from any guidebook.
It was a perfect day with a great team and fabulous leaders, just what I had hoped. 10/10 recommend, thank you Becky and Emma.”
Book our map reading + compass skills walks here
These are our final walks for 2023. We’ll be back in 2024 with new dates so be sure to keep following us and we’ll share the dates asap.
Our guided walks with map reading are popular so please book early to avoid disappointment. And if you book early you can also enjoy our early-bird discount.
If you have any questions please get in touch with Becky at peakdistrictwalksuk@gmail.com.
Baslow Edge + Birchen Edge Walk
(Introduction to map reading)
Saturday 28th October
This walk starts in the quaint village of Baslow in Derbyshire. We begin our walk hiking up to Baslow Edge, enjoying the views of the valley and across to the popular Curbar Edge before heading to a moorland section.
Then the route takes us along two more Peak District edges – Birchen Edge and Gardom’s Edge, both with stunning views.
book your place hereWin Hill Sunset Walk
(Introduction to map reading)
Sunday 29th October
Our first sunset walk from Ladybower Reservoir. This route will include our introduction to map reading but then will finish with sunset on Win Hill with a hike down in the fading light. Plus a few useful tips for hiking in the dark!
book your place hereCave Dale + Mam Tor Walk
(Introduction to map reading)
New date coming soon
A classic Peak District walk from Castleton village in Derbyshire. We begin the walk by heading up Cave Dale before looping around the back of Mam Tor then hiking up to the summit and trig point at the top!
Once at the top, we’ll enjoy an iconic route along the Great Ridge with views of the Hope Valley. Then we’ll head back down into Castleton and the end of our walk.
book your place hereKinder Scout Walk (Hayfield)
(Introduction to compass skills)
New date coming soon
Setting off from the Derbyshire village of Hayfield to Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. We will set off from Hayfield in the morning heading towards Kinder Reservoir before beginning our ascent up to the Kinder Plateau.
Once at the top, we’ll navigate around the plateau, past Kinder Downfall where we’ll do some off-path navigation to locate the true summit of Kinder Scout away from the main path. From there, we will enjoy views down the valley before looping back to Hayfield.
book your place hereKinder Scout Walk (Edale)
(Introduction to map reading)
New date in 2024
Setting off from the lovely village of Edale in the Derbyshire Peak District we head up to the Kinder Plateau and make our way around the edge via iconic rock formations known as the Woolpacks!
From the Kinder Plateau we’ll then navigate back via a popular route known as Jacob’s Ladder complete with packhorse bridge at the bottom, then it’s back along a relatively flat section into Edale!
book your place hereother guided walks
If you looking for a challenge walk or one our guided walks (without map reading) then please visit our Group Guided Walks page here.
Visit here to book our Group Guided Walks
Register your interest here
If you’re unable to make these dates but are still interested in joining a future walk, pop your details below and we will email you when the next dates are added.
order your map + compass for the walk here
You can order Peak District map and compass here for our Guided walks ONLY. They are not available for general ordering.
Please place your order at the time of booking the guided walk and we’ll bring the map and/or compass with us on the day.
We’ll let you know which map you need for the walk, or alternatively treat yourself and buy both!
Guided Walks
Guided Walks
Guided Walks
Compasses (Guided Walks Only)
Compasses (Guided Walks Only)
Compasses (Guided Walks Only)
about the walks
Our Guided Walks will vary between 7-10 miles in length. You’ll need a good level of fitness and be able to walk for 6-8 hours on uneven and rocky terrain and be comfortable with ascent and descent. Block out a full day to yourself and come along!
Each Guided Walk includes an introduction to map reading. It will not be a full day of map and compass skills but the aim is to get you started on your map reading journey. During the walk, we will spend between 1-2 hours, spread out throughout the day discussing the following topics.
These are the key learnings you will take away from the day regarding the map skills.
- Understanding the basics of your map
- How to estimate and work out approx time and distance
- Why and when do you need to use a compass
- Getting from A – B: Choosing a basic navigational strategy
- What to do if you get lost
The pace of the walk will allow time for plenty of photo stops, it won’t be a time trial from start to finish but a day you can spend outside walking and enjoy the scenery and company of the group. We will also point out different flora and fauna (Bell Heather, Star Moss or Pixie-Cup Lichen) on the route, as well as looking out for birds (Skylarks, Meadow Pipits or Red Grouse) and wildlife, maybe a Mountain Hare, if we’re quiet enough!
You will also need suitable footwear and clothing for the walk. See our suggested kit list below. Please ask if unsure before booking.
You’ll also need a map and compass for the walk. Available to order from us via the shop and we’ll bring on the day.
Our group size will be between 6-12 people.
About your guides
Becky Angell
Mountain Leader
Becky is a qualified Summer Mountain Leader. She runs ‘Peak District Walks’ and personally walks and writes up most of the walks on the website!
In addition, she runs a second website Becky the Traveller, where you can find more adventures, including her long distance challenges and wild camping tips!
Becky loves the outdoors and has hiked all over the UK and abroad, in 2019, she hiked 952 miles from Lowestoft to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse (E2W Challenge). But with the Peak District not far from home she’s been regularly visiting for over 12 years and always finding new places to explore.
Becky also has a passion for nature and wildlife, especially mushrooms so she’s bound to point those out during the walks!
Emma Holland
Mountain Leader
what to bring + wear?
For our ‘Guided Walks’, you’ll be responsible for wearing suitable clothing for hiking and also bringing your own personal items on the walk.
Here’s a suggested list of what to wear and bring on your guided walk*. If you don’t have any of the items or have any questions please get in touch before the walk.
Kit list
- Backpack to carry your items in (20-30 litres)
- Waterproof jacket (essential) + waterproof trousers (optional)
- Warm jacket/mid layer
- Hat + gloves
- Food (lunch + snacks) + water bottle/flask in cooler months
- Personal medication
- Suncream + sunglasses (depending on weather)
- Cash for car parking
- Map (Peak District OL1 – Dark Peak) or Peak District OL24 – White Peak (order via our shop and we’ll bring on the day).
- Compass – I use the Silva Expedition or the Silva Ranger is another good model (both available to order via our shop).
Read our detailed guide on what to pack for a day hike here.
What to wear?
- Hiking shoes or hiking boots (no fashion trainers please)
- Hiking socks
- T-shirt or long-sleeved base layer (not cotton)
- Mid layer/warmer jacket
- Waterproof jacket with a hood (you’ll either be wearing or it’ll be in your bag!)
- Waterproof trousers (optional but essential if it’s a wet day)
- Shorts/leggings or hiking trousers (no jeans please)
- Hat + gloves (weather dependent)
*Please note if myself or Emma (both qualified Mountain Leaders) feel you don’t have suitable clothing for the walk, for example, no waterproof jacket (on a rainy day) or footwear that could cause you to slip you might be unable to join the walk. This is for yours and the group’s safety on the hills.
guided walk photo gallery
View a selection of our photos from previous Peak District Guided Walks, including Kinder Scout from Edale, Alport Castles, Kinder Scout from Hayfield, Baslow Edge and Cave Dale and Mam Tor walks.
View our photo gallery here