The Peak District was the UK‘s original national park, a precious pocket of greenery at the heart of England. Though you might not guess it, its craggy valleys and wind-tousled moors are surrounded by some of Britain’s biggest cities: the suburbs of Manchester and Sheffield stretch almost to its boundaries, and Leeds, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent aren’t far away either. On summer weekends, city folk flock in droves to breathe fresh Pennine air. But with a pair of boots and a map, you might just claim a corner of the Peak for yourself: among villages that stirred Charlotte Brontë’s pen, views that summoned Lord Byron’s muse, and summits where British hiking history was made. The Peak District is perfect for first-time hillwalkers – the slightly more challenging terrain lies in the so-called ‘Dark Peak’, mostly north of Edale, with the ‘White Peak’ of the south making for easier rambling. For the ultimate experience, these are the best walks in the Peak District.
