In 2021, we shared a fun Peak District checklist that you could tick off during your walks – The Trig Point Challenge!
The aim of the Trig Point challenge was not a competitive one but it was created as a way of exploring more of the beautiful Peak District, including finding some of those hidden places on the way to the 88 trigs dotted around the National Park.
Find the full list of all 88 trig points here.
If you want to get the official checklist, trig map and other useful information you can sign up below and you’ll receive everything straight to your inbox!
Let me know in the comments you are doing the trig challenge and what you think!
10 trig walks for beginners
Maybe you’ve not heard of the trig challenge or you’re not sure where to start your adventure bagging all 88 trigs?
We regularly add new trig routes but here we’ve picked our 10 favourite trig walks that are perfect for beginners. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are easy walks, as you’ll spot a few big hills on the list but all these trigs are located on public land and they have well-trodden paths to reach them.
For each trig on the list you’ll be able to see the different walks to reach the trig. Simply click on the link and you’ll have our detailed guide for the route.
And for those that are ticking off the Peak District Ethels too you can see which hills are a double bonus!
Mam Tor Trig in the Hope Valley
Trig + Ethel walk
Mam Tor walk is the most popular one in the Peak District and with good reason, it’s easy to get to and the views are amazing!
The start point for this walk can be either the lovely quaint village of Castleton or on the other side Edale; however there is also a third option as there’s a National Trust car park called Mam Nick at the base of Mam Tor, meaning a shorter hike to the top.
We have 10 different Mam Tor walks, from the short route mentioned, to medium walks and a couple of long ones too!
Read our guide on the 10 Mam Tor walks here and pick your favourite walk to tick off trig no. 1.
For those who love a little souvenir, we also have a couple of perfect things – a Mam Tor patch for your backpack or blanket or a Mam Tor sticker.
Shutlingsloe Trig in Cheshire
Trig + Ethel walk
Shutlingsloe Hill is a classic Peak District hill and trig point, it’s also known as the Matterhorn of Cheshire! The final ascent to the summit is steep from most directions but again, you’ll have wonderful views from the top.
The walks we have for you to do this trig are from nearby Wildboarclough and Gradbach, some which include heading up from the Macclesfield Forest side which is wonderful to explore any time of year.
Find all our Shutlingsloe walks here and pick your favourite for trig no. 2.
- Shutlingsloe Hill Short Walk From Wildboarclough | 3-Mile Route
- Shutlingsloe Hill Walk (Via Macclesfield Forest) From Wildboarclough | 5-Mile Route
- Three Shires Head Walk From Wildboarclough | 5.5-Mile Route (+ Shutlingsloe Option)
- Shutlingsloe Walk from Wildboarclough (via Macclesfield Forest) | 7-Mile Route
Lantern Pike near Hayfield
Trig + Ethel walk
Lantern Pike trig point is an interesting one, you might notice the image above is not a trig pillar! The real trig lays a couple of hundred metres away on the adjacent hill, the story I’ve heard is that it was moved by a farmer many years ago, but I’m not sure why?
For our trig challenge, the Ordnance Survey have recored Lantern Pike as the summit for the trig point so that’s why it’s on the list!
I completed this walk recently, taking in a second trig point Harry Hut from Hayfield, but it’s a longer route with a few challenging sections, I’ll be adding a shorter Lantern Pike walk soon but you can simply pick up the Pennine Bridleway up to the summit and back down.
Read our Lantern Pike trig walk here for trig no. 3.
- Coming soon
Birchen Edge trig near Baslow
Trig only walk
This is our shortest walk on the trig walk list for beginners! Birchen Edge is a great walk to do for your first trig pillar.
The shortest route begins from nearby Birchen Edge car park which is next to the Robin Hood Inn, near Baslow. It is a relatively straightforward route, with a one or two steep tricky sections on the way up to the top but once you’re there, it’s worth it!
We also have a couple of other longer routes if you want to stretch your legs. The other two walks both start from Baslow and include a couple of other edges on the walk.
Read our Birchen Edge trig walks here for trig no. 4.
- Birchen Edge Trig Walk Near Baslow | 2-Mile Route
- Baslow Edge + Gardom’s Edge Walk From Baslow | 7-Mile Route
- Baslow Edge + Birchen Edge Walk From Baslow | 9-Mile Route
Saddleworth trig near Dovestones
Trig only walk
This trig walk is the most northerly one on this list, in fact, it’s almost the furthest north trig in the Peak District but West Nab gets that crown!
We only have one route that takes in this trig point and that’s from Greenfield near Dovestones Reservoir, which has views of Manchester not far in the distance! The walk to the trig on this walk is an out and back, but we are looking to create a longer circular walk soon so be such to check back.
Read our Saddleworth trig walk here for trig no. 5.
The Roaches trig near Upper Hulme
Trig + Ethel walk
The Roaches is a popular place to visit in the Staffordshire Peak District and the trig is a must-do on your walk! This walk begins from the base of The Roaches, which is handy because you have less ascent to hike up to the top, but be prepared there’s still some uphill to the trig!
We have two different routes that includes The Roaches trig point, one that also includes the hidden gem of Lud’s Church, worth adding this on if your legs can make it, if not then I’d recommend our shorter walk that includes Lud’s Church – full route here.
Read our Roaches trig walks here for trig no. 6.
- The Roaches Walk + Hen Cloud From Upper Hulme | 7-Mile Route
- The Roaches, Hen Cloud + Lud’s Church Walk From Upper Hulme | 10-Mile Route
We also have a charity patch with The Roaches design, a great souvenir from your walk. Check our the patch here.
Back Tor trig on Derwent Edge
Trig + Ethel walk
Another beautiful Peak District edge to explore, these routes are fantastic as once you’re up high you simply follow the edge before looping back down, making navigation similar on your walk.
Back Tor trig is also close to another Ethel (Lost Lad) so you can tick off one trig point and two Ethels on these walks! The routes begin from Fairholmes at Ladybower Reservoir which includes walking past the fantastic Derwent Dam (even more impressive when the reservoir is overflowing) before heading uphill to Derwent Edge.
Read our Back Tor trig walks here for trig no. 7.
- Derwent Edge Circular Walk (via Lost Lad + Back Tor) | 8-Mile Route
- Derwent Edge Walk From Ladybower Reservoir (Fairholmes) | 10-Mile Route
Winhill Pike Trig on Win Hill
Trig + Ethel walk
Win Hill is another one of those must-do hikes in the Peak District, you’ll see why when you reach the top as the views of Ladybower Reservoir and the Hope Valley are beautiful.
We have several longer routes on the website, see them below, but if you want to do a shorter walk then you can head up from Ladybower Reservoir, it is a very steep climb to the top but take your time and it’ll all be worth it!
Read our Win Hill trig walks here for trig no. 8.
- Win Hill + Kinder Plateau Walk From Hope To Edale | 9-Mile Route
- Win Hill + Crook Hill Walk From Ladybower Reservoir | 9-Mile Route
- Lose Hill + Win Hill Circular Walk From Edale | 12-Mile Route
We also have a Win Hill patch available too, check out the patches here.
High Neb + Stanage Edge Trig
Trig + Ethel walk
You might have thought we mis-counted when we said there were 10 trig walks, well, Stanage Edge has two trigs point, one called High Neb and the other Stanage Edge trig.
The distance between the two trigs is 2.2 miles/3.5 km but it’s all along the edge so a great walk to not worry too much about navigating and enjoy the views.
The easiest way to tick off these two trigs is a walk from Upper Burbage car park, as an out and back route, roughly about 5 miles to do them both. Or you can do a walk from nearby Hathersage.
Read our Stanage Edge trig walks here for trig no. 9 + 10.
Do you have any more questions about these trig 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, if you’re looking for a great piece of kit or alternatively, there’s the Silva Classic which is cheaper version.
For online maps, you can get via OS Online App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Love the hill walks in the Peak District? You might like these circular walks, they don’t have trigs but they do have fab views.
- Crook Hill Walk From Ladybower Reservoir | 4-Mile Route
- Parkhouse Hill + Chrome Hill Walk From Earl Sterndale | 5-Mile Route
- Lose Hill Short Walk from Castleton | 5-mile Route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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Peak District charity patches
Read about the charity here.
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