Moving from summer into the cooler autumn months brings a whole new perspective to the Peak District. As the landscape takes on a wonderful glow of gold, copper, russet and orange, the hills and valleys of the Peak District deserves to be seen and enjoyed later in the year. Visit any of our top five views and we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Baslow Edge, Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge
This walk can be reached directly from Hall Cottage – the perfect choice when you want to leave the car behind, just be prepared for a steep climb to join the route! The Three Edges Walk, is a spectacular route, affording you some magnificent views across the Derwent Valley. Along the way you should see
the resident ‘coos’, a herd of Highland cattle with their magnificent horns and shaggy coats, that roam Baslow Edge. Between September and November you may be lucky enough to spot red deer, but do keep your distance because it’s rutting season and the males may be aggressive! The area is also a great spot to see various birds of prey such as kestrels, buzzards and barn owls. From Curbar Edge you can walk across moorland, where you’ll glimpse views of the River Derwent to Froggatt Edge, another gritstone escarpment. The circular walk is 11 miles in total, but you can easily make it shorter by heading to The Grouse Inn at Froggatt Edge, a good excuse to stop off for liquid refreshment!
Mam Tor and the Great Ridge
An easy 25-minute drive to Castleton will deliver stupendous views of Hope Valley, Edale and Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. If you’ve never visited the area before, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge is where you’ll quickly understand why so many people fall in love with the Peak District – this beautiful and unspoilt landscape stretches as far as you can see, the perfect place to feel close to nature. From the car park in Castleton, an uphill walk will take you to the top of Mam Tor and, from there, you can walk the Great Ridge – depending on the route you take, it’s 6-8 miles.
Bamford Edge
Standing at 420m (1381 ft) above sea level, Bamford Edge is a stunning gritstone rock formation. It’s a natural beauty spot in its own right and you can also enjoy views of Hope Valley, Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir. Not for the faint-hearted, many visitors enjoy capturing photos of themselves sitting on the overhanging ledge! Parking at the car park on New Road, which is free, gives access to the easiest route up – allow around 30 minutes, depending on how energetic you feel. Once you’ve made it to the top and taken in the beauty beyond, extend your visit with a walk – there are several routes of varying distance to choose from. Bamford Edge is a 20-minute drive from Hall Cottage.
Edale Skyline
Fancy a challenging 20-mile hike in the most beautiful of surroundings? Edale Skyline won’t disappoint! Well known as a fell running race route, Edale Skyline is the ultimate long-distance hike, which takes in the ridges and hills surrounding Hope Valley. Of course, you may prefer to sample just a small section of the route but you’ll still be able to enjoy some wonderful views! The closest parking from Hall Cottage is in Hope itself, and from there you can directly join the walking route.
Surprise View
If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the sun go down, you absolutely have to head for Hathersage and Surprise View. During the day Surprise View provides a panoramic view of Hope Valley, but what makes it even more special is its designation as one of three dark sky sites in the Peak District. Dark sky sites are areas that have been identified as having little or no light pollution, which makes them ideal for stargazing. Choose a clear night when the moon is on the wane and you stand the chance of witnessing Nature’s very own spectacular light show. Surprise View is only a 15-minute drive so even if you stay out late to enjoy the stars it won’t be too long before you’re tucked up in bed!
There’s so many opportunities to explore and discover the Peak District in all its natural glory. Make sure you’ve got a camera to hand, you’ll be surrounded by so many beautiful views and, if you’re lucky, you might get some shots of wildlife. But more than anything, time spent in the Peak District is the perfect way to unwind, forget the day-to-day stresses of life and feel connected with nature.