Family-friendly walks
PADLEY GORGE
Next to Grindleford Station, eight miles north of Bakewell, lies Padley Gorge. Trails are kept as natural as possible—it's more a case of finding the gaps in the woods than following a path.
LONGSHAW ESTATE
The 1.7-mile walking route around this National Trust estate skirts the upper end of Padley Gorge. People love the stepping stones, but Longshaw is mostly all about the giant fallen trees, left in place for little hands and feet to delightfully climb over.
HIGGER TOR
A pile of giant rocks dominates Higger Tor, the best of several lookouts along the Ringinglow Road between Hathersage and Sheffield. Walk through the nearby fields, then let the kids climb over hundreds of strangely smooth grey stones. The views out over the Hope Valley are great and impressive, and the rock pools in Burbage Brook are perfect for rowing in.
STANAGE EDGE
Popular with rock climbers, this stone cliff marks the boundary of the mysterious land of the Dark Peak cliff and the grass-covered flat land of White Peak. It's a six mile circular walk from Hathersage. Alternatively, park at the Hollin Bank Car Park and climb half a mile to the top, out of breath.
CHATSWORTH ESTATE
A three-mile circle from Calton Lees Car Park takes in a ruined factory, the pretty village of Edensor and views of Chatsworth House. Appreciate the stretch along the River Derwent—deer often hang out there.
