From the highest falls in Derbyshire to hidden gorge cascades, these ten routes guide visitors—whether you are a seasoned hiker seeking challenges or a casual walker exploring the scenery—through the full range of what the Peak District has to offer.
Most people visit the Peak District for its edges and open moorland, regardless of whether you are a first-time visitor or returning. Many hikers walk to Stanage, take photographs from Mam Tor, and stop in Bakewell for a tart. What is often missed is the water. The Peak District sits on two very different rock types: the dark gritstone of the north and the pale limestone of the south, each creating distinctive watercourses for explorers. In the north, cloughs cut deep into peat moorland, and the water runs dark and fast. In the south, the River Wye and River Dove move through pale gorges with stepping stones and weirs, appealing to nature enthusiasts of all experience levels. Both are worth knowing, regardless of your experience.
Quick facts
Region: Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the Cheshire border.
Park size: 555 square miles.
Highest waterfall: Kinder Downfall, 30 metres.
Best flow conditions: Autumn through spring; summer can significantly reduce flow.
Trail navigation: AllTrails covers the main routes with offline maps for areas with no mobile signal
1. Kinder Downfall, Kinder Scout
Kinder Downfall plunges 30 metres from the Kinder Scout plateau, the highest falls in the Peak District. Dramatic changes mark each season: from full torrents after autumn rain to upward sprays in strong westerly winds, visible as a distant white cloud.
The shortest route begins at Bowden Bridge car park near Hayfield. The path climbs past Kinder Reservoir, built in 1912 for Manchester, then ascends steep, often boggy ground to the plateau. The circular path via William Clough and Snake Path is about 9 miles. Boots for wet terrain are essential. The plateau covers 16 square miles at an elevation of 600 metres.
This location is not just scenic; it’s also significant in the history of walking. Kinder Scout was the site of the 1932 Mass Trespass, when around 400 walkers deliberately accessed privately held moorland in a protest that contributed directly to the Right to Roam movement and the eventual Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. With this historical context, move from the heights of Kinder Scout and its windswept moors to a spot where three counties meet—a new landscape with a unique sense of place.
Where to Stay: Ramblers Rest is a 17th-century B&B in the centre of Castleton, run personally by owners Robbie and Claire Bennett. It sits at the foot of Mam Tor and is well placed for the northern Dark Peak.
Worth Knowing: The Kinder Scout plateau, managed by the National Trust, contains the source of three rivers: the Kinder, the Sett, and the Ashop.
2. Three Shires Head
Three Shires Head, where Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire converge, features a double waterfall beside a 17th-century packhorse bridge. Wild swimming pools and the sound of cascading water greet walkers before the falls reveal themselves.
The circular walk from Gradbach car park (SK17 0SU) is 6.2 kilometres and takes about two hours on easy terrain. Above the valley is Flash, England’s highest village at 463 metres. The packhorse bridge, now Grade II listed, once served salt traders before modern roads were built. This crossing remained vital until it was replaced by a road.
Where to Stay: Roseleigh Hotel in Buxton is an AA 4 Gold Star guest house that has appeared in the Good Hotel Guide every year since 2018. Buxton makes a practical base for the western Peak District.
Three Shires Head is genuinely one of the few places in England where you can stand in three counties at once, with the county boundary running along the lines of the River Dane. Leaving these historic boundaries and rushing waters, continue onward to explore the rich ecology and tranquil river valleys of Lathkill Dale.
3. Lathkill Dale
Lathkill Dale, a National Nature Reserve, leads walkers beside the River Lathkill through a limestone gorge. Springs, a series of falls, wild garlic, and traces of old lead mining give this valley its distinctive character.
The circular route from Over Haddon is 7 kilometres. Free parking is available in the village.
Where to Stay: Biggin Hall Hotel is a 17th-century Grade II-listed country house in Biggin-by-Hartington, with an AA Rosette restaurant. It sits within the national park, approximately 6 kilometres from Over Haddon.
Lathkill Dale is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve, managed by Natural England. It contains populations of the rare Jacob’ s-ladder flower, as well as water voles and dippers. From these limestone gorges and natural wonders, continue to the ancient woodlands and babbling streams of Padley Gorge.
4. Padley Gorge
Padley Gorge channels Burbage Brook through ancient woodland and gritstone. Rushing water, tranquil pools, and autumn’s amber leaves give the gorge a striking woodland atmosphere.
The gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geology and rare pied flycatchers, one of the few English breeding sites. Grindleford railway station, served by Sheffield (30 minutes) and Manchester Piccadilly (50 minutes), sits at the base. From there, a short walk leads into the trees.
Where to Stay: Ramblers Rest in Castleton sits 9 kilometres north via the Hope Valley. Alternatively, Hathersage, two stops along the rail line, has smaller guest houses directly in the village.
The Longshaw Estate, which sits above Padley Gorge, is managed by the National Trust and covers 1,600 acres of moorland, meadow, and woodland. Having explored the woodlands and streams of Padley, now head for the iconic stepping stones and limestone heights of Dovedale.
5. Dovedale Stepping Stones and Thorpe Cloud
Dovedale’s 16 stepping stones cross the River Dove amid striking limestone scenery. Arrive early to catch the mist and quiet of this iconic site, popular with photographers and nature lovers alike.
Thorpe Cloud, a 287-metre limestone hill, marks Dovedale’s southern entrance. Its summit is 20 minutes from Thorpe Cloud, a 287-metre limestone hill, which marks Dovedale’s southern entrance. Its summit is a 20-minute walk from the car park. From the top, view limestone walls rising 60 metres above the river. The 5.5-kilometre circuit includes Thorpe Cloud, the stepping stones, and a return along the opposite bank. The fishing lodge he built for Walton still stands upstream at Beresford Dale.
Where to Stay: Charles Cotton Hotel in Hartington dates back to the 17th century and is named after the same angler. It has 17 rooms and a bistro serving seasonal food, all from its central location.
The River Dove marks the Derbyshire and Staffordshire county boundary for most of its length, meaning the stepping stones carry you between two counties in a single crossing. After crossing between counties, follow the water west into Monsal Dale to discover a blend of history and natural beauty at the Headstone Viaduct.
6. Monsal Dale and the Headstone Viaduct
Monsal Dale centres on a broad weir below the landmark Headstone Viaduct, where the River Wye cascades through parkland. Built in 1863, the viaduct is now a striking Grade II-listed icon.
The walk from Monsal Head descends around 100 metres into the dale in approximately 20 minutes. At the bottom, the weir creates a wide, shallow cascade above a green pool. The return climbs back through meadow and woodland to the viewpoint. The Monsal Trail, the disused railway line that passes through the viaduct, runs 8.5 miles between Wye Dale and Bakewell, entirely on flat ground – suitable for bikes as well as walkers.
Where to Stay: Old Hall Hotel in Buxton sits opposite the Pavilion Gardens. The building dates from the 16th century and is among the oldest surviving hotels in England.
The Monsal Trail tunnels were sealed for decades after the railway closed. They reopened to walkers and cyclists in 2011 following a restoration project. Now, with industrial echoes fading, move into the wild landscape of Middle Black Clough for a contrasting Peak District experience.
7. Middle Black Clough
Middle Black Clough slices into Bleaklow’s southern edge with a tiered waterfall and dark pool. This dramatic route, reached by river crossings and scrambling, feels hidden and wild.
In mid-afternoon, the sun drops behind the Bleaklow ridge, and the clough goes into shadow. Come earlier. The plateau above is as remote as anywhere in England this far south, with no clear paths, no shelter, and peat hags deep enough to lose a boot. Most walkers stop at the falls and return the same way.
Bleaklow is the location of several Second World War aircraft crash sites, including a B-29 Superfortress that came down in 1948 and whose wreckage remains on the plateau.
Where to Stay: Ramblers Rest in Castleton is about 30 minutes south on the A57 and A6187. Glossop, 15 minutes from the lay-by, offers smaller B&Bs if you want to stay closer.
Worth Knowing: The Longdendale Trail, which follows the valley floor below Bleaklow, forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail running coast to coast between Southport and Hornsea.
8. Chee Dale
Chee Dale is the deepest gorge on the River Wye. The cliffs rise approximately 90 metres above the river, close enough to cast a shadow on the water for most of the day. The stepping stones here do not cross the river – they run alongside it at the base of the cliff face, carrying walkers past a section where the gorge narrows to almost nothing. When the Wye runs high, the stones flood and the route closes. This is not a winter walk after prolonged rain.
The circular walk from Miller’s Dale car park is 5 kilometres. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust manages the reserve for its ash, yew, and rock whitebeam woodland, early purple orchids, and nationally scarce rock rose populations. Dippers work the rapids in the lower gorge year-round.
Where to Stay: Old Hall Hotel, Buxton, is 8 kilometres from Miller’s Dale on the A6.
Worth Knowing: The Chee Dale Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated for both its limestone-gorge geology and its rare plant communities, including several species found in very few other locations in England.
9. Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale
Start from Hartington and walk south along the River Dove into Beresford Dale, where the river runs through tree-lined banks beneath limestone crags. After 2 kilometres, the valley narrows into Wolfscote Dale, where the walls rise steeply, and the Dove runs clear enough to watch trout holding position in the current. The falls here are modest – a series of steps in the limestone rather than a single drop – but the gorge is one of the most complete limestone valley walks in the national park.
Pike Pool, around 8 kilometres into the route, is a wide, deep swimming spot where a tall limestone crag rises directly from the water—the 5.9-mile circular returns along the ridge above the valley.
Charles Cotton built a fishing lodge in Beresford Dale in 1674 for Izaak Walton. The tower still stands above the river, privately owned.
Where to Stay: Biggin Hall Hotel is a 17th-century Grade II-listed country house 3 kilometres east of Hartington, with dog-friendly courtyard rooms and an AA Rosette restaurant.
Worth Knowing: The River Dove marks the Staffordshire and Derbyshire county boundary for most of its course. Every time you cross the valley stepping stones, you step between two counties.
10. Tintwistle Seven Falls
On the northern edge of the Peak District, above the Longdendale chain of Victorian reservoirs, Arnfield Brook drops through seven waterfalls before reaching the valley floor. The walk from Tintwistle village is 3 miles on easy terrain and takes around 90 minutes. Seven falls in a single outing is unusual this far south in England, and the chain runs in quick succession through a tight cleugh.
The Longdendale reservoirs were constructed in the Victorian era to supply water to Manchester. At the time of their completion, they formed one of the largest man-made chains of reservoirs in the world. The fells above Tintwistle now fall within the Dark Peak access land, and the moorland opens out fully above the brook.
Where to Stay: Roseleigh Hotel in Buxton is 35 minutes south and serves as a comfortable base for the northern and western parts of the Peak District. Glossop, 3 kilometres from Tintwistle, has smaller B&B accommodation if you want to stay closer.
Worth Knowing: Tintwistle sits within the civil parish of Tintwistle in Derbyshire, though it sits directly on the Greater Manchester border, and the Longdendale valley effectively straddles both counties.
Practical Tips
- Waterfall flow is directly linked to recent rainfall. The Dark Peak routes – Kinder Downfall and Middle Black Clough – run strongest from October through March.
- Download offline maps before you leave using the AllTrails app. Mobile signal on the Kinder Scout plateau and Bleaklow is unreliable and absent in many cloughs.
- Gritstone routes require waterproof boots with ankle support. Limestone routes are generally drier underfoot but can be extremely slippery on polished rock, particularly in Chee Dale.
- Chee Dale stepping stones are impassable in high water. Check conditions before visiting in the wetter months.
- The Monsal Trail is accessible by bike as well as on foot and is entirely flat for 8.5 miles – a different way to connect several of the limestone valley walks.
- AllTrails and OS Explorer maps OL1 and OL24, together, cover every route on this list.
Responsible Visiting
Take nothing. Several of these valleys contain rare plants that take decades to establish and are easily damaged by trampling away from marked paths. Keep dogs on leads through livestock fields. Chee Dale and Lathkill Dale are nature reserves – treat them accordingly.
Reader Q&A
What is the easiest waterfall walk in the Peak District? Monsal Dale is the most accessible. The descent from Monsal Head to the weir is under 30 minutes each way on a clear, well-maintained path. Dovedale stepping stones is similarly easy and suits all ages and fitness levels.
Which walks are best after heavy rain? Kinder Downfall and Middle Black Clough are both most impressive after wet weather. Three Shires Head also benefits from high water. Be aware that Chee Dale stepping stones may be impassable after significant rain.
Can I wild swim at any of these locations? Three Shires Head has established pools below the falls, which are widely used for swimming. Wolfscote Dale’s Pike Pool is another regular spot. Both are unsupervised. Cold water safety applies year-round, including in summer.
Is the Kinder Downfall walk suitable for beginners? No. The route involves significant elevation gain, boggy plateau terrain, and limited waymarking in places. It requires navigational confidence and appropriate clothing. Choose Monsal Dale or Three Shires Head as your first introduction to the area.
How do I reach Padley Gorge without a car? Grindleford railway station sits directly at the entrance to the gorge with regular services from Sheffield (30 minutes) and Manchester Piccadilly (50 minutes). No car needed.
Which walk has the most wildlife? Lathkill Dale and Padley Gorge both have strong wildlife profiles. Lathkill has water voles, dippers, Jacob’s ladder flowers, and orchids. Padley Gorge is the place for pied flycatchers and ancient woodland birds across spring and summer.
Where to Stay
- Ramblers Rest, Castleton – 17th-century B&B in the village centre, ideal for Kinder Downfall, Middle Black Clough, and Padley Gorge.
- Biggin Hall Hotel, Biggin-by-Hartington – Grade II-listed 17th-century country house with an AA Rosette restaurant, ideal for Lathkill Dale and Wolfscote Dale.
- Charles Cotton Hotel, Hartington – 17th-century hotel in the village closest to Dovedale, named after the angler who fished the River Dove here.
- Old Hall Hotel, Buxton – one of the oldest surviving hotels in England, well positioned for Monsal Dale and Chee Dale.
- Roseleigh Hotel, Buxton – AA 4 Gold Star guest house with nine consecutive years in the Good Hotel Guide, well placed for Three Shires Head and Tintwistle.
Water made this landscape. Every dale, gorge, and stepped fall in the Peak District is the result of rock giving way to water over thousands of years – and in most of them, the process is still going.
