Now if you’re wondering, what is the High Peak? – Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
I actually didn’t know the area had a name until I moved here in 2025, but if you’re familiar with the Peak District, you likely already know the area.
I’ve fallen in love with living in the High Peak area of Derbyshire and the Peaks, there’s so much to see and do, you have the Peak District on your doorstep, but Manchester is just a short 40 minute train journey away.
So if you’re looking for days out in the Peak District from a local, especially if you’re based in and around the Peak District, make sure you add High Peak to your list!
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Where is the High Peak?
High Peak is technically a local government area, but it basically covers the Dark Peak area of the Peak District where the high moorland plateau is.
It goes all the way to the north, a bit beyond Glossop and all the way down the Buxton in the South. It also stretches from New Mills and Hague Bar on the west, to Bamford in the east.
I like to think of it as the top left corner of the Peak District if you divided the national park into 4 quadrants.
How to get to High Peak in the Peak District?
One of the reasons we moved to the High Peak is because it’s incredibly well connected!
We’re 40 minutes on the train from Manchester, 20 minutes drive to Manchester Airport and we have direct trains to Buxton, Stockport and even Sheffield!
If you’re travelling by car, it’s easy to pick one of the locations below and park at a local car park (some are paid, some are free) or you can take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to many of these locations.
There are 3 train lines that cover all the locations mentioned below:
1. Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton line (goes via Whaley Bridge)
2. Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield line (goes via Hope Valley)
3. Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop or Hadfield line
Best things to do in High Peak, Derbyshire
1. A day out in Buxton
I could write 5+ different guides on how to spend a day in Buxton because there is so much to do there, from town markets to beautiful gardens to spas to hikes in the surrounding area.
If you’re spending a day out in Buxton, here’s what I’d recommend:
- Take a walk around Pavillion Gardens, this is beautiful, easy and family friendly and dog friendly
- Visit the Pavillion itself and see the local crafts and stores there, there’s also a tearoom, cafe and brewery taproom if you’re after some refreshment
- Walk through the Pavillion Botanical Conservatory – it’s free!
- See Buxton Crescent – the spa has recently been renovated and bought by Champney’s if you’re looking for a boujie spa day
- Opposite the Crescent is the visitor information centre which is inside the original 1894 pump room
- Walk through Cavendish Arcade which is full of local independent business and craft shops, it’s also inside the old bath house and you can see all the original features
- Walk up Terrace Road towards the markets (you can find what’s on online)
- Visit Scrivener’s Books and Bookbinding
- Then head over to Poole’s Cavern where you can spend a couple of hours exploring underground limestone caves
- If caves aren’t your thing, in the Buxton And Poole’s Cavern Country Park there’s also walking trails up to Solomon’s Temple, a Go Ape course and picnic areas.
- Finish with dinner and drinks at one of the many great food and drink spots in Buxton. I love Buxton Brewery Taphouse or the Trackside location although that’s a bit further out
- Santiagos tapa, Ithaca Greek or Simply Thai are a few of my other favourites and RedWillow is a great spot for pizza and craft beer
2. Walk around Derwent Reservoir and Ladybower Reservoir
Located in the north of the High Peak, I love these two reservoirs because it’s easy to make your walk as short or as long as you like.
I’d recommend driving to get here and either parking at Heatherdene Car Park which is right next to the famous Ladybower plug hole (the plugholes are spillways for excess water to run off into the river), or parking at Fairholmes car park which is closest to Derwent Dam at the northern tip of Derwent Reservoir. There’s also a cafe at this car park.
I like to park close to Ladybower, walk up the east side of Ladybower then cross Snake Pass and loop all the way around Derwent Dam which is about 16km. But if you’re looking for a shorter walk and want to see the dam, I’d recommend the Fairholmes car park. Then you can walk as far as you like along the reservoir path before turning back when you’re ready.
I use the AllTrails app to plan the route I’m going to take.
If you want to check whether the dam or the plughole are flowing with water, check this website – if the big number on the left is positive, then it means the reservoir is full and the overflow is running into the plughole or over the dam. This happens when there’s been plenty of rain.
If the number is negative, there will be no flow.
3. A foodie day out in Glossop
Glossop is such a hidden gem in the Peak District and it’s really up and coming on the foodie scene!
The recently opened Glossop Market Hall is packed with food vendors and stalls that are worth checking out. You can easily spend an afternoon eating and drinking here!
You can also see the murals of Vivienne Westwood and Hilary Mantel in Glossop as they are both from there.
Harvey Leonard’s Wine & Ale started as just a bottle shop but became so popular that it’s now got a bar too – the perfect stop for evening drinks.
Almanac recently opened and if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket (hello date night) then this is for you. The Globe is where to go for vegan food.
I also love the Oakwood, Tallow for a Sunday roast and a bit further afield is Distant Hills Brewing which has beers, pub food and is right on the doorstep of some great walking trails if you want to make a day of it.
4. Walk the Peak Forest canal
If you’re looking for the ultimate easy walk with beautiful scenery, then the Peak Forest canal is what you need!
I live on the canal, I kayak on the canal and I’m even renting a narrowboat on the canal in a couple of months time!
The Peak Forest canal actually runs for 15 miles from Ashton-under-Lyne to Bugsworth Basin, but I’m not suggesting you walk all of it!
I’d recommend taking the train to New Mills and starting there, you can walk an hour or so to Whaley Bridge or a bit further to Chinley and check out the Paper Mill for pizza or Old Hall Inn for a pub meal.
I’ve actually put together a full Peak Forest canal day trip guide which you can read here.
5. Brewery hopping in New Mills
Who would have thought that a small town would have so much craft beer?!
As a craft beer lover, of course this is one of my favourite towns to spend time in – especially in the summer!
The Beer Shed is our go-to taproom on Market Street which has a range of local and national craft beer on rotating taps. It’s cosy and small and welcoming and I love it here!
Torr Vale Tap is the place to go for a unique location. It’s a taproom and cafe inside an old mill which sits on the cliffs above the Goyt River in the gorge that’s hidden below the town. They have a range of their own and local beers plus great food and coffee too.
Thornsett Brewery & Hop Yard is a great little stop if you want to earn your beer with a walk out of New Mills. It takes around 1 hour to reach, starting on the Sett Valley Trail. All ales are so reasonably priced (most expensive is £3.50), it’s run entirely off renewable energy sources and it’s the first organic hop farm in the North of England, certified by the British Hop Society – pretty cool, huh?
Torrside Brewing is located in the industrial building next to New Mills Marina and is only open one weekend a month April-September (check their Facebook page for opening times). But you can try their beers year-round at the Beer Shed.
And if you fancy some beers to take home, Banging Bottles is opposite the Beer Shed and has a range of local and national beers – there are so many to try and there’s always new ones in stock!
6. Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk
Another one of my favourite walks that’s also pretty easy!
While everyone knows about the Dovedale stepping stones, these stepping stones are much less known and are a pretty easy and scenic walk.
I usually start from Chee Dale Layby but this is a steep downhill at the start which means a steep uphill at the end so if you don’t fancy that then I recommend parking at Wyedale Car Park instead.
The route is available on AllTrails so you can download it there, but it basically follows the River Wye along the river bank where you’ll reach the stepping stones towards the end. Then not long after the stepping stones, you’ll reach some steps which take you onto the Monsal Trail which is above the river and follow this all the way back.
7. Drive through Winnats Pass
I personally think this is a must-do for anyone who is visiting the Peak District!
Driving through Winnats Pass is one of the most iconic things to do in Peak District and it only takes a few minutes.
If you want to spend longer, you can park at Speedwell Cavern Car Park and hike up Winnats Pass for incredible views too.
8. Visit some of the best pubs in the Peak District
Okay there are great pubs all over the Peak District but I need to share a few of my favourites and what I think are the best pubs in the High Peak area.
- Old Hall Inn in Chinley (gorgeous pub and B&B)
- Paper Mill in Chinley (partner pub, amazing pizzas)
- The Little Mill at Rowarth (gorgeous property with play area and goats also amazing portions)
- The Lamb Inn (old timey, beautiful inside)
- Pack Horse Inn (food is great and outdoor area is great in summer)
- The Pack Horse Hayfield (Sunday Roast)
- Buxton Brewery Tap House (for craft beer)
- The Old Nags Head in Edale (post-hike stop)
- The Castle in Castleton
9. Visit The Torrs Riverside Park and Millennium Walkway
Affectionally called “the park under the town” you could easily visit New Mills and have no idea that this gorge is hidden away right underneath the town!
There are several ways to access the Torrs, if you’re arriving at New Mills Central station then the path to the Torrs and the Millennium Walkway is right opposite the station exit.
Alternatively you can also park at the same station or around Wirksmoor Road and walk down the trail which is opposite the Rock Tavern.
In the gorge you’ll see the famous Millennium Walkway, built on stilts above the Goyt River in 2000 to give walking access to the gorge. There’s also the Union Bridge and surrounding cliffs which are used for rock climbing, the mill ruins, the weir and the Torrs Hydro – the first community owned hydro project in the UK.
From this area you can also reach Torr Vale Tap, a brewery and cafe in an old mill on the other side of the Millennium Walkway. And there are beautiful walks from here too:
– the Sett Valley Trail
– Goytside Meadows
– Mousley Bottom Local Nature Reserve
10. Hayfield to Kinder Scout hike
Hayfield is a beautiful village in High Peak and is famous for being the village at the foot of Kinder Scout – the highest peak in the Peak District.
While there are several routes up Kinder Scout, starting from the other side of the plateau near Edale, these are more popular and usually busier. Whereas starting from Hayfield is a great option if you want a somewhat quieter route.
I highly recommend using OS Maps or AllTrails for Kinder Scout. This is one of the most challenging peaks in the Peak District and conditions on the plateau can be very different to the conditions at the start.
There are also multiple routes, some with scrambles, some with boggy terrain that is not suitable for beginners, young children or adverse weather.
Kinder Scout and Kinder Downfall Circular is the name of the route on AllTrails that I usually do from Hayfield.
11. Go underground at Speedwell Cavern
There are several caves and underground caverns that are worth exploring in the Peak District, but Speedwell Cavern sits on the edge of Castleton in the High Peak area.
Speedwell Cavern is a 200-year-old lead mine which is flooded, so as you descend down the steps, you board a boat that takes you along the passage to the limestone cave.
The deepest point of the cavern is 200 metres underground, making it one of the deepest in the UK!
A guide is with you in the boat at all times and you’ll get out of the boat once you reach the cavern and the guide is able to tell you all about the cave, the history and the wealth of lead found here in the 1700s.
This is such a unique experience and one of the best things to do in the Peak District, although I’d only recommend it if you’re not scared of enclosed spaces!
12. Enjoy the views from Mam Tor
Thanks to social media, Mam Tor has arguably become the most famous peak in the Peak District in recent years, with many people choosing to head up Mam Tor for the famous sunrises over the Hope Valley.
The great thing about Mam Tor is that it’s a very short walk for an incredibly beautiful and rewarding view.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the Mam Tor Hillfort Car Park to the trig point at the top of Mam Tor.
You have spectacular views over Edale valley on your way up on the left and can look over Hope Valley from the top.
You also have the option to continue your walk along the ridge along Back Tor and Lose Hill.
13. Explore Castleton
Castleton is a great base to spend a day exploring the central Peak District!
From Castleton you have Speedwell Cavern and Peak Cavern both on the edge of the village, great cafes, pubs and restaurants, ample parking for the numerous walking trails and hikes that start in Castleton, plus you have Winnats Pass nearby and Peveril Castle ruins.
You can easily spend the day just based in Castleton!
I use AllTrails to find walking routes near me so I’d highly recommend doing this if you’re looking for walking options that start from Castleton based on your walking ability.
14. Walk the Sett Valley Trail
If you’re looking for a lovely, easy walk in the Peak District then this 2.5 mile trail from New Mills to Hayfield is perfect!
You can easily reach the Sett Valley Trail by train from Buxton or Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills.
Head to the Torrs Riverside Park and pick up the Sett Valley Trail here which takes you along the Sett River, through woods and along fields until you reach the charming village of Hayfield.
The walk is great for familes, kids and dogs too.
Then you can reward yourself with a pub meal at The Pack Horse, Italian at Colosseo or a cuppa from the Riverside Cafe before you walk back or take the bus back to New Mills!
15. See the Ladybower Reservoir plug hole
The Ladybower Reservoir plughole is actually called a Spillway and it does act like a plug hole, draining excess water from the reservoir into the river.
It’s easy to park at Heatherdene Car Park and walk over the road to the corner of the reservoir where the plughole is.
Tip: the water will only be flowing into the plughole when the reservoir is overflowing, so that means there has to have been plenty of rain. You’re much more likely to see the plug hole flowing in the winter and spring than you are in the summer.
Check this website for reservoir water levels – the higher the number is above zero, the more the plughole will be flowing.
16. Visit Chapel-en-le-Frith
Named the Capital of the Peak District, Chapel is often an overlooked area of the Peak District, however there’s plenty to do in and around the town.
With plenty of pubs, restaurants and independent shops, plus great walking trails. You can walk from Chapel to Edale which is a great, longer route for more seasoned hikers. Or you can do the Coobes Reservoir loop which is a lovely walk for an afternoon.
17. Walk from Whaley Bridge to Chinley
I mentioned the Peak Forest Canal earlier and you can actually walk all the way along it from New Mills or Disley or even Marple – but it’s quite a long way!
For a shorter walk, I like to walk from either New Mills or Whaley Bridge to Chinley which takes around 2 hours from New Mills or 1 hour from Whaley and go to one of my two favourite pubs that are in Chinley.
The Old Hall Inn and the Paper Mill are across the road from each other and they’re both owned by the same company. They’re gorgeous traditional pubs but with completely different vibes so you can pick the one you’re looking for!
The Old Hall is a stunning manor with traditional but elevated pub food with a large beer garden which is perfect in warmer weather.
The Paper Mill is also a gorgeous historic pub but smaller with more of a regular village pub feel but it has a woodfired pizza oven and the pizzas are epic! They also do rotational pop-up menus like Korean dishes. I’m a big fan of a walk to Chinley and rewarding myself with a pizza and a pint!
Summary: the best things to do in the Peak District’s High Peak
Many people might not have heard of the High Peak area of the Peak District but it encompasses an area of the Peaks that is both some of the most well-known spots in the National Park and also some of the least visited spots in the National Park.
So if you’re planning a visit to popular spots like Castleton or Mam Tor, I really recommend going a bit further and allowing some time for places like New Mills, Chinley or Whaley Bridge to really see a more underrated, but equally as gorgeous, side of the Peak District.
