Avoid the Crowds in Edale
Edale can be very busy at weekends so we’re inviting you to find your own quiet corner.
With so many wonderful villages, valleys, views, cloughs and scrambles all over The Hope Valley, and a trainline serving many, there’s something for everyone and plenty of space to find a wilderness of your own.
These are ‘reverse’ walks. You can start or end them at Edale and get back to your starting point easily by train.
Recommended walks to and from Edale that take in all of the popular sights, keeping you away from the crowds and giving you a taste of what our favourite neighbours have to offer.
Scroll down to start exploring.
Chinley
to Edale
Only ten minutes from Edale by train, Chinley boasts a small high street with a range of shops and services, including a post office, 3 great pubs and some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes and viewpoints that The Peak District has to offer. You can walk to or from Edale in around 4 hours, taking in beautiful Roych and Whitemoor Cloughs as well as the majestic arrival into Edale valley via Chapel Gate. A perfect day out. We recommend getting off at Chinley to get out and onto the hills on a lesser used route and end in Edale for a drink at The Rambler Inn. Or if you choose to start at Edale, use The Penny Pot Café as your meeting point and set off towards Barber Booth, ending your walk at Chinley’s award winning Old Hall Inn.
Featured Image: Cracken Edge at Chinley
New Mills
to Edale
Only 15 minutes from Edale by train, New Mills is one of the more unique and larger villages on our list of Edale alternatives. It’s bustling high street is home to a plethora of independent shops, cafes and pubs and has a thriving live music and arts scene. It’s position overlooking the dramatic Torrs gorge makes for an unforgettable first view and those looking for more adventure can wind their way onto the 160 metre Millienium Walkway and on to the Torrs Riverside Park, part of which has been reclaimed from it’s industrial past and turned into an incredible 2 mile hike along the Goyt valley (map here) at the Southern tip of which lies the 25 acre Goytside Meadows Nature Reserve. A not-to-be-missed day trip that’s suitable for all the family either by foot or by train.
Of course those with an all day hike in mind will also find New Mills an exciting place to start or end an adventure into the hills that takes in the Sett Valley Trail, Kinder Downfall and Jacob’s Ladder.
Featured Image: Millenium Walkway at New Mills
Hope
to Edale
Hope is home to the wonderful Cafe Adventure (cyclist paradise!) and The Grasshopper, both renowned for great coffee and cakes. The Old Hall Hotel is a must visit pub with great food, a beer festival and tea and cake marquee in the garden. Hope is also home to Watsons Farm Shop and their famous Losehill lamb. We recommend walking to Edale using one of two routes, both starting at Hope station which is convenient for both parking and trains. The first route takes you through beautiful Cavedale, into Castleton and to Mam Tor with stunning views of Kinder Scout and the Hope Valley. The second route takes you straight up past Win Hill and the Kinder Plateau itself with unbelievable views of Ladybower Reservoir and the Vale of Edale. Choose wisely!
Featured Image: Cavedale with views to Castleton
Bamford
to Edale
What Bamford lacks in amenities - save the wonderful, community owned pub cum cafe cum post offiice Anglers Rest - it makes up for in variety of hikes. You’d be forgiven of course for strolling straight up to the majestic Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent and Howden Dams but save that for your next visit. You might even be forgiven for being drawn to Bamford Edge and the unforgettable views of the reservoir below. But remember, all footpaths lead to Edale here. Get the train to Bamford and tackle this chunky Bamford to Edale hike that takes in Win Hill and The Great Ridge. It’s 16 km and around 5-7 hours including stops but you won’t regret taking it on. The views are tremendous and once you get to Edale, you’re a very palatable 15 minute train ride back to where you started.
Featured Image: Ladbybower Reservoir as the sun sets.
Hathersage
to Edale
Where Edale is popular with Willies (Works in London Lives in Edale) Hathersage is most popular with folk that work in Sheffield. Nearby you can enjoy sprawling moorland, Longshaw Estate, Surprise View and Burbage. You can enjoy walks to all of those without too much trouble. If you do decide to start or end your journey at Hathersage be sure to check out Little John’s (of Robin Hood fame) grave. For those thinking that walking from Hathersage to Edale is a little far, take note; our friend Sheila walks Edale to Hathersage and back (!) a few times a week to tend to her sheep. No excuses. Boots on. Hop off the train at Hathersage station. Off you go!
Featured Image: Hathersage peeking through low cloud from Surprise View.
Grindleford
to Edale
Yes we really are suggesting you walk to Edale from Grindleford. Just make sure you’ve had your Weetabix. Grindleford is listed here as, rather like Hope offers a whiff of civilisation to Edale’s residents, Grindleford offers them trees. The Vale of Edale used to be a forest. Now there are fewer trees than the average city park. In fact The Peak District as a whole has fewer trees than Leeds! So make Grindleford the one place you absolutely must visit on the Hope Valley line. It is home to the UK’s farthest inland temperate rainforest. Beautiful Padley Gorge, part of the larger Yarncliffe Wood is home to thousands of ancient oak trees and some fabulous walks. We’re not offering routes for those. Just jump off at Grindleford station, get lost and then find your way back for a chip butty and a pint of tea at the wonderful station cafe.
Or for those willing to take on the epic walk to Edale, follow the link above for a route that will live long in your memory. And your legs.
Featured Image: Autumnal long exposure at Padley Gorge.