Popular Peak District Walks
Here are details of a few of the many great walks in the Peak District National Park near to Buxton and beyond.
Route guides can be purchased at the Buxton Visitor Centre in the Pump Room. OS Maps (OL1 / OL24) are available from most outdoor and sports in the town. Make sure you are properly prepared for a wild walk—the weather can change very quickly: good boots and a waterproof coat are a must!
If you do get into trouble and need assistance, call for the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team via 999.
Find out more about walking in the area here.
Bus information last updated 16.04.2025
Mam Tor & The Great Ridge
For one of the best views in the Peak District, head for Mam Tor [grid reference: OL1 4128/3836], the Shivering Mountain, at the head of the Hope Valley and gaze over the Vale of Edale to the imposing Kinder Scout (see below). Park in the nearby National Trust car park (for a head-start up the hill) or in Castleton (and head up the old miners’ footpaths to the top). Discover the Iron Age hill fort and see the ruinous Peveril Castle across the valley. Follow this with a wander along The Great Ridge to Hollins Cross and Lose Hill. The paths are maintained by the National Trust. A map and directions can be downloaded from Visit Peak District’s website here.
Alternatively, follow one of three Mam Tor routes with the Derbyshire & Peak District Walks (Local Walks) app.
To travel from Buxton to Castleton via bus, take the 62 Peak Pathfinder (stop: Mam Tor Top or bus station).
Kinder Scout (Kinder Low)
Kinder Scout is Derbyshire’s highest point, a gritstone, moorland plateau sitting proud across north Derbyshire with fantastic views on a clear day. A more challenging walk with steep slopes, boggy ground and changeable weather, it warrants its own Mountain Rescue Team, so please check the local forecast, consider the kit you have and take care if you take up the challenge! The plateau is most easily accessed from either Hayfield or Edale. Take in Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low [grid reference: OL1 4079/3871] on your route. Follow in the footsteps of the Mass Trespass, part of the campaign to secure access right to open country for all, by following the route on the National Trust’s website here.
By bus from Buxton, Kinder can be accessed by footpaths from Hayfield via the 61 bus to Glossop (stop: Hayfield Bus Station).
Shining Tor & the Goyt Valley
Enjoy the view over Errwood and Fernilee reservoirs and head up Shining Tor [grid reference: OL24 3995/3738] for wonderful views across Derbyshire and Cheshire. Park at the Goyt Valley car parks, head up The Street to Pym Chair and then over Cats Tor to Shining Tor. The path over the tors is mostly flag-stoned, helping those unsure on their feet. Head back down towards the ruins of Errwood Hall, over to the Cat & Fiddle or down to Goyt’s Moss, depending on how far you want to walk.
This and other walks in the area are detailed on The Goyt Valley website here.
Follow one of three Goyt Valley routes with the Derbyshire & Peak District Walks (Local Walks) app.
Footpaths to the Shining Tor can be accessed from Buxton by bus 61 to Glossop (stop: Goyts Lane) and the 58 to Macclesfield (stop: Cat & Fiddle).
Chee Dale
Experience the dramatic scenery of the White Peak with a walk along Chee Dale. Take footpaths from Blackwell, Miller’s Dale or the Wye Valley car park. Steady footing is required across the famous Chee Dale stepping stones [grid reference: OL24 4119/3728].
To travel by bus, take the 65 to Tideswell (stop: Topley Pike)
Teggs Nose Country Park
Just over the county boundary in Cheshire, visit Tegg’s Nose [grid reference: OL24 3948/3723] for lovely views over Macclesfield Forest and wander around the many reservoirs nestled between the rolling hills. Start from the Teggs Nose Country Park Visitor Centre.
By bus from Buxton, take the 58 to Macclesfield (stop: The Settler Dog, Walker Barn) and walk down Buxton Old Road.
Tittesworth Reservoir
A circular route around the picturesque Tittesworth Reservoir [grid reference OL24 3994/3602]. Park in Upper Hulme, Meerbrook or Leek. Make a day of it with watersports on the reservoir. Download a trails map here.
To travel by bus, take the 108 to Leek (stop: Three Horse Shoes Inn).
Chrome Hill: The Dragon’s Back
The dramatic Chrome Hill [grid reference: OL24 4070/3673], said to resemble a sleeping dragon’s back and as featured in the finale of the BBC’s Peaky Blinders, is set within the upper Dove Valley, near Earl Sterndale. But beware! This hill is not for the faint-hearted. With narrow ridges and steep slopes on either side, caution is required. Here be dragons!
Start in Earl Sterndale, taking the footpath west out of the village.
By bus from Buxton, take the 442 to Ashbourne (stop: Cross Roads, Earl Sterndale).
Lud’s Church
Discover this mysterious, atmospheric chasm hidden deep in the Forest Wood of the Dane Valley [grid reference: OL24 3987/3656]. Known as the home of the devil, the Green Chapel of King Arthur’s knight Sir Gawain, a 15th Century meeting spot for persecuted Christian reformers and a hiding place throughout history for the likes of Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Bonnie Prince Charlie, it is not for the faint-hearted! Park in Gradbach and head for the woods…if you dare!
The closest bus stop is on the A53. Take the 108 to Leek (stop: The Winking Man) and head for Black Brook Nature Reserve, following the footpaths along Black Brook to Gradbach Wood.
Three Shires Head
Walk to this special spot where Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire meet and see an old packhorse bridge, waterfalls and Panniers Pool along the way. Three Shires Head – [grid reference: OL24 4009/3685] – was used as a place to evade jurisdiction in the 19th Century when the police could only enforce the law in their own county. Join footpaths from Flash to the east, Wildboarclough to the west or Axe Edge to the north.
Follow one of two routes with the Derbyshire & Peak District Walks (Local Walks) app.
To get a bit closer by bus, take the 108 to Leek (stop: Summerhill Lane) and join the footpaths from the nearby Flash, the highest village in England(!).
The Roaches
The Roaches [grid reference: OL24 4002/3631] must be one of the best edge walks in the Peak District. With stunning views over the Staffordshire plains, taking in the Jodrell Bank radio telescopes and Tittesworth and Rudyard reservoirs, it is a wonderful place to explore and perhaps do a spot of climbing or weasiling among the rocks. Park at Upper Hulme or Gradbach.
Follow one of four Roaches routes with the Derbyshire & Peak District Walks (Local Walks) app.
Travelling by bus, take the 108 to Leek (stop: Upper Hulme) and join the footpaths from the village.
Dovedale Nature Reserve
Take a gentle walk along the picturesque River Dove, cross at the famous stepping stones [grid reference: OL24 4152/3514], climb Thorpe Cloud or continue upriver to the limestone pinnacles, caves and reef-knolls. Managed by the National Trust, this was a favourite of Victorian visitors to the area and its popularity is no less diminished. A must-do for a family picnic. A 40 minute drive from Buxton south down the A515 towards Ashbourne. Dovedale Car Park (with refreshment kiosk and public toilets) and National Trust Car Park at Ilam Park. Find out more about Dovedale here.
Join one of six routes with the Derbyshire & Peak District Walks (Local Walks) app.
The closest bus to Dovedale from Buxton is the 441 or 442 to Ashbourne. Bus stops include Newton House, Gates or Coach and Horses, depending on what walking route you want to take.
Other Nearby Nature Reserves
As well as Dovedale, other nearby nature reserves include those in the Wye Valley and Derbyshire Dales and – click the links to find out more.
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