If you’re like me a sunset is one of the most beautiful natural things you can see in the Peak District. Since we have them every day of the year, there are plenty of opportunities to see one (yes, of course, weather depending!)
The Peak District is a wonderful place to watch a sunset, and safely get back down from your spot before it gets dark. There are a great range of hills but nothing too high, unlike the mountains in Scotland where a sunset hike would be very different.
Depending on the time of year it can vary the time that you can see it. Our British Summer Time is fantastic but with the sun setting as late as 9.20 pm, it’s not the time that most people are out hiking!
In autumn, before the clocks change the sunset is around 5.30-6.30 pm, a perfect time for an after work walk to watch the sunset in the Peak District. Moving into winter, the sunset becomes earlier, perfect for a weekend short walk to enjoy the sunset before it’s time to go home for a warm dinner.
**Important**
Please read our top tips before planning your sunset walk in the Peak District. It’s important to be prepared and know what time you’ll lose the light and be able to safely get down without the need for calling our volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams. Thanks 🙂
Let me know in the comments if you have any favourite sunset spots in the Peak District.
Top tips for sunset walks
A few things you might want to consider before you set off on your sunset walk:
- Plan your route carefully, consider any tricky or steep terrain that you might need to do in faded light. Maybe swap the route so you do the challenging parts in the light before the sun sets.
- How far back is the route (after the sunset)? – You’ll have up to an hour of fading light but after that you’re in the pitch black and in the hills there are no street lights!
- Pack a head torch for the walk – even if you are planning to get back before it gets dark always take a head torch. In an emergency, it is much safer than using a phone for navigating/walking.
- Take warm layers with you – as soon as the sun goes down so does the temperature!
- Make an evening of it, take some snacks or even dinner to enjoy whilst you wait for the sun to set.
- Take some good pictures but remember to enjoy the moment too without snapping ever second of the sunset.
- Insects and midges can make an appearance around sunset so take some bug spray.
Let me know in the comments if there are any tips I’ve missed!
Read our suggested list of what to take on a hike here
16 Best Sunset Views in the Peak District
Here are some great spots to see the sunset in the Peak District.
Generally, anywhere facing in a westerly direction can provide some gorgeous views, so visit these places or maybe explore and find your own special sunset spots.
Although, when it’s one of those amazing sunsets the whole sky lights up so it doesn’t matter which way you’re facing the sky looks gorgeous!
Walk suggestions
I’ve included links to our walks that include these sunset viewpoints on our website but for a sunset walk you may need to tweak the route to change the direction of the walk or maybe even the start point.
Please note not all the sunset locations will be suitable for everyone. Please get in touch if you need some help planning your trip. 🙂
Alderman’s Hill
This beautiful sunset walk includes some beautiful views in all directions. The best sunset spot is further down from Alderman’s Hill summit towards the Obelisk, a WWI and WWII memorial.
But from Alderman’s Hill you have also have wonderful views of Dovestone Reservoir and the surrounding Saddleworth Moors.
Our short walk, either a 3 or 5 mile option starts from Binn Green car park and takes you on a lovely loop.
Read the full walk route here – Alderman’s Hill Walk (+ Saddleworth Trig) From Greenfield
Curbar Edge
Curbar Edge is a popular sunset spot in the Peak District, so if you decide to visit for sunset be prepared you probably won’t be the only one there!
It’s a lovely short walk up from Curbar Gap car park which makes this perfect for getting back down after the sun has set.
We have a few different walks that include Curbar Edge so if you time your walk you can finish on this section and enjoy the sunset before competing your walk.
There’s a 6-mile route, 8-mile route or 11-mile route to chose from, starting at either Curbar or nearby Baslow.
Mam Tor
Mam Tor is a classic place to watch the sunset in the Peak District, as such it’s likely you won’t be there by yourself; however the summit area is lovely and wide so there’s space for everyone.
Mam Tor summit is close to the road and there’s a National Trust car park nearby which is why this is a popular spot for sunset. There’s a good path up and down from the car park which means is suitable for most walkers.
On our website we have loads of different Mam Tor walks so you can pick your favourite depending on how much time you have before the sun sets.
Read the routes here – 10 Mam Tor walks in the Peak District
Mam Tor patch
Why not celebrate reaching the top of Mam Tor with our very first charity patch? Or if you are planning on doing the walk soon, order the patch now so you can take it to the top for a photo. visit shop
Charity Patches
Magpie Mine
Magpie Mine is somewhere different to spend sunset, it might not be for everyone. Photographers like this spot for something a bit different in their foreground for sunset and you’ll even see some night sky photos from this spot!
For a sunset walk, you may need to change the start point or direction of our suggested routes.
Read our Magpie Mine walks here 5.5 mile route or 8-mile route.
Bamford Edge
A classic beautiful spot to watch sunset in the Peak District; however this is also one of the popular places too so if you fancy a quiet sunset then this might not be for you!
There are numerous spots you can sit to enjoy the view so there’s space for everyone.
Read our short Bamford Edge walk here.
Derwent Edge
Derwent Edge certainly has some great views, the flagstone footpath is an easy one to navigate in fading light; however it’s still a distance back to the start point.
Please consider our routes due to the length you may need complete in the opposite direction or select a different start point.
Read our Derwent Edge walks here – we have an 8-mile or 10-mile route.
Baslow Edge
Baslow Edge is one of my favourite edges in the Peak District, alongside to the popular Curbar Edge you still have beautiful views but it’s a little quieter!
Read our Baslow Edge walks here – 3-mile route or an 8-mile route (for our longer walk you may need to complete in the opposite direction).
Alphin Pike
Alphin Pike is located in the perfect place for sunset, with views west and a high point!
Please note this is a challenging route down from Alphin Pike so I’d only recommend for experienced walkers. You also may wish to start the walk from Dovestone Reservoir instead of Binn Green as it’s slightly closer to the end.
Read our Alphin Pike walk here – Dovestone Reservoir walk.
Hanging Stone near The Roaches
Sit and enjoy the sunset from the Hanging Stone near The Roaches, somewhere different but with a beautiful view.
Read our route which includes the Hanging Stone here.
Kinder Scout (Kinder Downfall)
Kinder Downfall and the edge along that side of the Kinder Plateau has some beautiful views at sunset, but it’s not for everyone.
Please note that the Kinder Downfall sunset spot is one of the most challenging walks to descend in low light so please only visit if you’re an experienced walker as it’s likely to be dark by the time you are back down.
Read our Kinder Scout walks here.
Kinder Scout patch
An iconic view of the packhorse bridge at Jacob's Ladder on the way up to Kinder Scout summit.
Celebrate reaching the highest point in the Peak District with our second charity patch.
Or if you are planning on doing the walk soon, order the patch now so you can take it to the top for a photo.
visit shop
Charity Patches
Froggatt Edge
Froggatt Edge is along from Curbar Edge and is not as popular but you can still enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Read our walks that include Froggatt Edge here – 6-mile route, 8-mile route and 11-mile route.
Gardom’s Edge
Gardom’s Edge is an interesting spot for sunset as the sun does dip down beyond Baslow Edge and Curbar Edge in the distance. However, it’s still a pretty spot and not too far to walk back down from the spot!
Our Gardom’s Edge walk is coming here soon.
Stanage Edge
Stanage Edge is a classic walk in the Peak District and due to its length (about 2-miles) you can do some lovely easy out and back routes to enjoy the sunset depending on how far you want to walk.
One place you can start a sunset walk to visit Stanage Edge is Upper Burbage car park. A perfect location for both Stanage Edge and Higgor Tor sunset walks in the Peak District.
Win Hill
Win Hill is another one of those classic sunset walks in the Peak District. From Ladybower Reservoir you can hike up to the summit and back down in a relatively short amount of time.
You do need to factor in the challenging and steep terrain if you opt for this route as it’s certainly not a path I’d recommend going up or down in the dark due to the rocky terrain and numerous tree roots on the path.
Read our Win Hill walks here.
Higger Tor
Due to the close location to various car parks – Surprise View and Upper Burbage, this means Higger Tor is a popular sunset spot in the Peak District. But it is a beautiful location too so worth including on your list for a sunset.
Read our Higger Tor walks here.
Do you have any more questions about sunset walks in the Peak District? 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.
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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Peak District charity patches
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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).
Visit our hiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit).
Or get in touch and I will help as best I can :).
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Peak District charity patches
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Curbar is so quick to get to from Sheffield that I’ve probably seen more sunsets there than anywhere else.
Ah yes, it’s a stunning spot to watch it 🙂