Explore the Peak District: A guide to gentle adventures
The Peak District is the UK’s oldest national park and is great for gentle adventures. There are spectacular mountain tops, gently rolling dales and historic villages with cosy pubs. Don’t miss the Peak District cloughs (steep sided valleys) that offer some of the best wild swimming, waterfall walks, and rock scrambling in the region.
Wedged between Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, some areas of the Peaks can be very busy, but venture slightly off the beaten track and you’ll find incredible scenery, fantastic wild swimming, and endless adventures far from the crowds.
Here, we share our 3 favourite outdoor adventures in the Peak District, as well as the top wildlife and nature friendly activities, a bit of history and culture, great pubs, and tips on where to stay.
As with all our gentle adventures, this Peak District guide is perfect for families, couples, friends of all ages, first-time explorers and seasoned adventurers. Discover the best walking routes, wild swimming spots, mountain biking trails, camping and plenty of other awesome things to do while exploring the Peak District.
Before you go
- Best time to visit? All year round, but especially good in spring
- Who’s in? Everyone! Perfect for families, couples, solo travellers, beginners, experienced adventurers, and adult groups looking for outdoor activities in the Peak District.
- Top 3 highlights:
– Near Black Clough waterfall scramble
– curlews and cuckoos in the Dane Valley
– a pint with a view at The Barrell Inn, Bretton - Where to stay? Camping, glamping, and country inns all available.
Gentle Adventures in the Peak District
We’ve rated each of our three Peak District adventures on a scale from 1 (easy) to 5 (challenging).
Always check your route first and carry a map with you.
1. Fairbrook Waterfall Walk
Remote but easy, this walk is ideal for families and wild swimmers. There’s an additional loop for those looking for a greater challenge.
Distance: Variable. Up to 6km for shorter loop.
Kit required: Map (OS Explorer OL1), walking boots, swimmers
Adventure rating: 2/5 (4/5 for the longer loop)
A lush valley with a flowing stream and fantastic views up to Kinder Scout, Fairbrook is an absolute gem. Nibble on bilberries and admire the colourful heather along the way. There are also a series of waterfalls and plunge pools all the way to the top which are perfect for a refreshing wild swim. Sit in the shade of the trees and enjoy a picnic by the water – dreamy.
This is a linear walk so continue up the brook as far as you’re comfortable before turning to head back.
For a bigger adventure, continue up the path to the top of Fairbrook and scramble up to ‘The Edge’ (the ridgeway). Here, continue west on Black Ashop Moor and seek out the fascinating plane wreckages that are still visible after a fatal crash involving two North American Sabres in the 1950s (53.4091, -1.8918) From here, continue on to the snake footpath and loop back via Ashop Clough.
Directions
Park in the lay-by off the A57 (53.4097, -1.8294). Carefully cross the road and take the footpath 400m south of the layby. Follow the path down towards the stream and cross the bridge. Continue south until the path curves right to follow the Fairbrook valley with views of Kinder Scout ahead.
*Take a map and check the OS app, especially for the longer loop.. There is no phone signal here.
2. Cycle the Monsal Trail
Gentle cycle along a disused railway line, great for kids and beginners. Tunnels and gorges add excitement, plus discover a few swim wild spots for those looking to cool off.
Distance: Variable. Up to 27km for the full route.
Kit required: Bike (can be hired)
Adventure rating: 1/5
This is a very gentle but fun day out exploring the Derbyshire Dales by bike. There are fantastic views, beautiful gorges, dark tunnels and a viaduct crossing! The Monsal trail is a disused railway line which means it’s very flat. The full trail is 8.5 miles one-way, but you can turn back at any time.
The trail can be busy at peak times so to avoid the crowds, lock up your bikes and follow the numerous footpaths that lead off the trail. There are stepping stones and plunge pools at Chee Dale and a brilliant weir to swim above/below on the River Wye in Monsal Head. The trail is also surrounded by a series of nature reserves that are well-worth exploring, especially the old quarry at Miller’s Dale with an abundance of wild flowers, butterflies and, personal favourite, six-spot burnets.
Directions
Bikes can be hired from Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire. From here, follow trail signs east all the way to Bakewell and beyond.
3. Near Black Clough waterfall scramble
The greatest adventure of all! This scramble is quite physical and can test the nerves at times. Fantastic for older kids and those wanting to get off the beaten track.
Distance: Variable. Up to 2km
Kit required: Map (OS Explorer OL1), walking boots, swimmers, river shoes
Adventure rating: 4/5
This is an absolute highlight for adventure lovers, rock-scramblers and wild swimmers. Follow Near Black Clough upstream, over boulders, through heather and scrambling up steep banks. It’s not a gentle walk, but definitely one filled with excitement. There are plenty of hidden waterfalls and plunge pools along the way. It’s worth having river shoes to drop into the water when possible.
The kids loved the smooth, slippery rocks which made for brilliant water slides.
For a full loop, I’d highly recommend getting Matt Heason’s book, Wild Swimming Walks Peak District. The detailed walking route follows Near Black Clough up and over Black Moss before returning via Middle Black Clough.
Directions
Car park at the bottom of the slip road off the A628 (SK13 1JE) at the site of the old Woodhead Railway Station. Follow the path with the river on your left. Ignore the sharp fork to the right and continue on up the stream, crossing over when needed. There is a vague path but it’s very eroded and often overgrown so best make your own navigation.
Culture & History
There’s much to visit here: Chatsworth House, Derwent Valley Mills, St Ann’s Well in Buxton (taste the warm spring water), Ladybower reservoir (where the dam busters practiced) and of course, Bakewell Tarts!
Eyam Plague Village
Discover the fascinating, heart-wrenching story of the 1665 plague outbreak that devastated this small village. There’s a museum, a trail marking historic buildings, including the source of the outbreak, as well as a pub and cafes.
It’s pretty touristy but head to Dunlow lane at the north end of the village and then follow the wooden signposts to the Cucklett Delf. This beautiful, natural ampitheatre, with intriguing rock formations, was used as an outdoor church during the Plague quarantine.
Nature & Wildlife
An absolute personal highlight was hearing the evocative warble of curlews and heart-warming call of cuckoos whilst walking in the Dane Valley. Here, there are interesting quarry remnants to explore, as well as a swim in famous Panniers Pool.
The crowds may gather to join your swim, or waterfall splash, beneath the beautiful packhorse bridges, but venture north on the Dane Valley Way to find space, enjoy views across the rolling hills and hear those wonderful calls of the birds in spring and early summer.
Food & Drink
There are plenty of charming British pubs that date back centuries. Our favourite is The Barrell Inn, Bretton. Great views, good food and a tasty pint after a long day of adventuring.
Where to stay
Wild camping is very popular in the Peak District and you can find a quiet spot on any of the adventures above if you fancied a camp out. Check out our guide to wild camping here.
Though there are also plenty of campsites to choose from, many of them don’t allow campfires.
We enjoyed our stay at Chinley Campsite just north of Buxton; beautiful views, plenty of space, good facilities, campfires allowed, and even an onsite sauna! The road noise is slightly distracting but will soon disappear as the hedges continue to grow.
Henry and Katie were hugely helpful and gave us some top local tips.
