5 Easy Peak District Walks: 5 Scenic Adventures For Women!

5 Easy Peak District Walks: 5 Scenic Adventures for Women!

Get your boots ready ladies and enjoy the beautiful Peak District National Park !

Fancy heading out into the countryside for a nice leisurely walk, with stunning scenery, points of interest and, of course, cake? With its rolling hills, hidden valleys, and storybook villages, The Peak District has so many walks for women – all waiting to be explored at your own pace.

We at Women Outdoors know sometimes the most memorable adventures are the simplest ones., so we’ve put together five of our favourite Peak District walks for beginners, that we feel are a little easier, perfect for a girls’ getaway or a relaxing solo walk.

Each of the Peak District walks chosen offer something a little different, and we’ve picked out walking routes that we feel explain the routes clearly, but please feel free to use this guide as inspiration and use your own walking apps, or maps to tailor your own chosen route if you wish!

Here’s a quick link to our Women Outdoors Top 5!

1. Chatsworth Chic: A Royal Ramble to Edensor

Route Facts

Length: Approx. 4 Miles
Start/Finish Point: Carlton Lees Carpark, near Edensor. (Post Code – DE4 2NX)

If you fancy a touch of grandeur, then a walk on the Chatsworth Estate is a must! This popular Peak District walk combines stunning scenery with a dose of history and frequent sightings of deer.

Your adventure starts at Carlton Lees Carpark on the edge of the Chatsworth Estate. Nearby, you’ll find Carlton Lees Garden Centre, perfect for a quick toilet break before you start, and maybe a bite to eat before you head off.

The route then takes you on well-marked paths, leading you to the charming village of Edensor, a picture-perfect village, complete with traditional limestone cottages and pretty gardens. You can enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea, or a slice of well-deserved cake, at the Edensor Tearoom, located right in the village!

Finally, the route heads you back with fabulous views down towards the Chatsworth Estate. Why not extend your trip, with a slight detour to Chatsworth House itself, and a browse around it’s beautiful, landscaped gardens, enjoy a bite to eat in the café or restaurant, or reward yourself with a scrumptious ice cream in their ice-cream parlour? Maybe treat yourself to something to take home from the farm shop or gift shop?

This walk really does have it all ladies!

Refreshments & Facilities:

Calton Lees Garden Centre has a café and toilets at the start and end of the route.
Edensor Tearoom serves delicious lunches and cake, approximately ¾ of the way around.
If you take a slight detour near the end of the route, Chatsworth House has a restaurant, café, ice-cream parlour and shops.
Public toilets are also located near the car park at Chatsworth House.

Top Tips:

Check out the Chatsworth Estate website for information on opening times, ticket prices, and special events.
Try this walk early morning, or early evening when The Chatsworth Show is on in September, you may get to see the stunning hot air balloon display for free!

2. Step into Adventure Ladies: Dovedale Stepping Stones

Route Facts

Length: 1 – 6 Miles, depending on chosen route
Start/Finish Point: Dovedale National Trust Carpark. (Post Code: DE6 2AY)

The Dovedale Stepping Stones offer a fun and unique way to explore the Peak District. This scenic Peak District walk takes you through the idyllic Dovedale valley, a haven for wildlife and a must for photographers.

As you wind your way along the River Dove, you’ll encounter the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones – a chance to test your balance and unleash your inner child! Don’t worry, they’re perfectly safe for adventurers of all levels, but be mindful the water levels could be higher after periods of heavy rain. (Don’t panic, there’s a nearby bridge if needed too!) After successfully navigating the stepping stones or bridge, take a moment to soak up the beauty of the valley and snap some pictures against the dramatic backdrop of the limestone cliffs.

Whilst the Dovedale Stepping Stones are a favourite Peak District beauty spot, there are many more scenic landmarks to enjoy as you meander along the river, such as Ilam Rock & the Twelve Apostles and hidden caves, all finally leading to the picturesque village of Milldale where you can stop for refreshments in high season, before returning back.

The best bit about our suggested route, you can do as much or as little as you please with the stepping stones being less than half a mile from the car park, so only a total of a mile there and back. If you choose, you could simply take this short stroll and relax for a few hours with a good book and a picnic. Or, if you prefer, you could take the three-mile stroll to Milldale, making for a relaxing six mile there and back walk at your own pace.

Refreshments & Facilities:

Public toilets are located at the Dovedale Stepping Stones car park at the start and end of the walk. Here you’ll often find a coffee van too.
The village of Milldale has a delightful little takeaway café, open seasonally throughout the year.

Top Tips:

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip, especially when navigating the stepping stones.
Check out Polly’s Cottage social pages to check opening times throughout the year.

3. Ready to Spot Highland Cattle? Explore Baslow Edge

Route Facts

Length: Approx: 1.5 Miles
Start/Finish Point:Curbar Gap Carpark. (Post Code: S32 3YR)

The Baslow loop is a fabulous short route offering stunning views of the Peak District and a chance to spot some friendly, furry faces – the iconic Highland Cattle that graze on the hillside here. The route is fairly flat, however, there are nearby boulders to climb if you wish, making this a great walk for those who want to take their children on a fun walk too!

The walk starts from Curbar Gap Car Park, which often has a charming refreshment van serving coffee and homemade cake – perfect for taking on your travels. You simply cross the road to the large gate and follow the clear path, until you reach a junction with far reaching views over towards Chatsworth House. Taking a right and almost retracing your steps, you follow a slightly rockier path rewarding you with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Remember to keep an eye out for the grazing Highland Cattle – these gentle giants are a highlight of the walk!

Refreshments & Facilities:

You’ll often find a coffee van serving hot drinks and homemade cakes at Curbar Gap Car Park at the start and finish of the route.
As this is such a short route, there are no other refreshment stops or toilets en route.
However, there are public toilets, cafes, bars and restaurants in Baslow itself which is just a six-minute drive away.

Top Tips:

The terrain can be uneven in some places, so wear sturdy footwear.
For those taking children, The Robin Hood in Baslow is very chid friendly, with children under 8 eating for free!

4. Easy & Scenic: Lud's Church, a Hidden Gem in the Peak District

Route Facts

Length: Approx: 3 Miles
Start/Finish Point: Gradbach Carpark. (Post Code: SK17 0SU)

Lud’s Church is a natural wonder hidden in a huge rock face, and has now become on of the most intriguing Peak District walks! This unique geological formation (not a church as such!) is shrouded in mystery, with links to Robin Hood, dating back to the 1400’s, said to have been used as a secret place of worship.

The walk to Lud’s Church starts from the village of Gradbach, following a well-marked path that leads you through woodland, before arriving at this dramatic natural wonder, like something from a scene in Jurassic Park with moss and ferns, leaving you mesmerised!

Refreshments & Facilities:

Just half a mile from the car park is Riverside Café at Gradbach Mill, which is open from Easter to October.
Just three miles down the road is The Rose and Crown Inn open all year round, both of which are ideal for a toilet break and bite to eat or drink before or after your walk.

Top Tips:

The path leading to Lud’s Church can be steep, and muddy in sections, so take your time and wear appropriate footwear.
Check out The Riverside Café’s Facebook Page to check opening times at different times of the year.
Try to get to the carpark early, as it can get busy.

5. Thors Cave: A Peak District Walk with a Mythological Twist

Route Facts

Length: Approx: 5 Miles
Start/Finish Point: Wetton Mill Carpark. (Post Code: DE6 2AG)

Just outside the village of Wetton in the Staffordshire Peak District, you’ll discover breathtaking Thor’s Cave. This natural cavern, nestled within a towering limestone crag, has a huge arched entrance that’s easily visible and accessible from the nearby footpath, just enticing you in for a nosey!

Thor’s Cave has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Evidence suggests that it was inhabited as early as the Late Stone Age, around 11,000 years ago. The cave continued to be used throughout the Iron Age and Roman periods with archaeologists uncovering stone tools, pottery, amber beads, bronze artifacts, and even the burial sites of seven individuals.

The walk starts at Wetton Mill with a tearoom and toilets, next to a shallow stream, perfect for a little paddle in the summer. The route then passes Thors Cave and on to The Manifold Way, a mostly traffic free route, then via fields to the village of Wetton with a village pub fore more refreshments! With a mixture of treelined paths, open fields and village lanes, it makes for the perfect Peak District Walk!

Refreshments & Facilities:

The walk starts and finishes at Wetton Mill Tea Rooms.
There is also an optional stop off at The Royal Oak pub in Wetton for further refreshments.
Of course, you can always reward yourselves back at Wetton Mill at the end of your walk too!

Top Tips:

The path leading to Thors Cave can be steep and slippery in places, so wear appropriate footwear and take your time exploring.

**Disclaimer – Please use these walks as inspiration but be sure to familiarise yourself with the routes beforehand, and perhaps back them up with a GPS walking App if you have one for extra confidence in your navigation.

Which Peak District walk will you choose ladies?

These are just a taste of the many incredible walks the Peak District has to offer. So, what are you waiting for, ladies? Lace up your boots, grab your girlfriends, and get ready to discover the beauty of the Peak District. Remember, there’s no shame in taking it slow and enjoying the journey – one of the best parts of being out in the countryside is taking the time to enjoy and appreciate your peaceful surroundings!

For those of you who’d perhaps like some company on your walk, and a reassuring leader, be sure to check out any the upcoming guided walks in the Peak District with Women Outdoors and join likeminded ladies on your countryside stroll!

Love Emma and The Team
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