Peak District from the East - March Edition
Stunning Curbar Edge in the morning light.
Edges & Open Views: Baslow, Curbar & The Prince of Wales
As winter begins to loosen its grip and the first signs of spring creep into the valley, the eastern edges of the Peak District come into their own. If you’re travelling from Sheffield, Doncaster or Lincoln, this is your moment - a shift in season marked not by dramatic change, but by subtle movement: longer days, softer light and the first warmth returning to the gritstone.
Base yourself around Baslow, a village that sits quietly between the grandeur of Chatsworth and the open drama of the edges above. It’s well connected, easy to access and - crucially - offers a way into some of the most striking landscapes in the Peaks without the pressure of the busiest honeypots.
A Landscape of Stone and Light
The gritstone edges - Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt - are among the most recognisable features in the Peak District. These long, broken escarpments were formed over millions of years, shaped by wind, ice and time into the stepped cliffs and weathered outcrops we see today.
But beyond their geology, they hold a quieter history too. These were once working landscapes - grazed, walked and used as routes between valleys. Today, they remain places of movement and pause in equal measure. Climbers trace their lines across the rock faces, walkers follow the ridges and skylarks begin to return overhead as spring approaches.
In March, the edges feel poised between seasons. Frost may still linger in the morning, but by afternoon the sun begins to warm the stone. The colours shift - from winter greys to the first hints of green - and the views stretch wide across the Derwent Valley.
The Walk: Baslow to Curbar & Froggatt Edge
Starting from Baslow, the route climbs steadily out of the village and onto Baslow Edge, where the landscape opens almost immediately.
From here, the walk becomes a flowing ridgeline, linking Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge in a natural, sweeping line. The path is clear, the navigation straightforward and the rewards constant - views rolling out across the valley, the patchwork of fields below and the sense of moving along the spine of the landscape.
There’s a rhythm to this walk. Up onto the edge, along the gritstone, down slightly, then back up again. It’s not overly demanding, but it keeps you engaged - the kind of route that clears your head without wearing you down.
On a clear March day, the light does most of the work. Long shadows stretch across the rock, the sky feels bigger and the promise of spring sits just beneath the surface.
Where to Stay
For a comfortable and well-placed base, the Peak District Hideout offers an alternative experience and offers easy access to the route and the surrounding area. It’s open, well-kept and close enough to keep things simple without dropping you into the busiest parts of the Peaks.
The Reward: The Prince of Wales, Baslow
Back in the village, The Prince of Wales provides a dependable and welcoming finish to the day.
It’s not trying to be anything it’s not - just a solid village pub, serving good food, proper pints and offering exactly what you need after a few hours on the edges. In March, when the chill still lingers, that simplicity goes a long way.
Why Choose the Edges in March?
March sits in that in-between space — not quite winter, not quite spring. And the edges suit it perfectly:
Excellent access from the east
Clear, well-defined walking routes
Dramatic views without high exposure
A landscape beginning to wake up
It’s a time for reintroducing yourself to the hills. Not pushing too hard, not chasing big mileage — just getting back out, moving again, and remembering why you come here in the first place.
A Different Way Back In
After the stillness of winter, March is about re-entry. A return to walking, to longer days, to the slow build towards spring.
So instead of heading straight for the busiest valleys, try something different.
Start on the edges.
Follow the light.
Let the year open up beneath your feet.
