Day 1: Arrive Buxton
Arrive at your accommodation in the attractive spa town of Buxton with time to explore this charming town, the highest market town in England.
Day 2: Buxton - Longnor (11 miles)
Stroll through Buxton Country Park to join the Dane Valley trail to the spectacular viewpoint at Axe Edge. Continue along quiet pathways to Hollinsclough past Chrome Hill & Cross the County boundary into Staffordshire to reach the village of Longnor, the location for the TV series ‘Peak Practice’ where you may spot many familiar sights around the village.
Day 3: Longnor - Thorpe (14 miles)
Take the splendid trail past Pilsley castle south to Hartington, famous for its magnificent 17th century hall, a fine example of a typical Peak District manor house. The village is also home to Derbyshire’s last remaining cheese factory which can still be bought from the dairy shop. From here the gorge from Beresford Dale through Wolfcotes Dale offers a dramatic introduction to the karst limestone scenery of the area. The walk from pretty Milldale through Derbyshires best known dale, Dovedale shows the beauty of the area to its fullest.
Day 4: Thorpe - Winster (14 miles)
Follow the Limestone Way to Tissington, known for its ancient festival of well-dressing, a custom which dates back to 1350. Tissington is also known for the interesting Norman church of St. Mary & the 500 year old Tissington Hall which is a well worth a visit. Pass through the delightful, typical Peak District Village of Parwich which lies beneath a massive limestone outcrop which rises to over 1000 feet. Continue along the trail to Winster. This pleasant village has some fine 18th century houses, however the most impressive building must be the Market House. Owned by the national Trust the rugged Market House dates from the 17th century & is a reminder of Winster’s past importance as a market town.
Day 5: Winster - Baslow (11 miles)
Walk to Stanton Moor & see the Neolithic ‘Nine Ladies Stone Circle’. The area is of significant archaeological importance and legend has it that one Sunday nine ladies & a fiddler came onto the moor to dance and, for this act of debauchery, they were turned to stone. Pass through the interesting typical Peak District villages of Birchover & Stanton in the Peak before joining the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to the Chatsworth Estate. Often referred to as ‘Palace of the Peak’ Chatsworth is without doubt one of the finest of great houses in Britain. If you desire, you should have time to visit the opulent house & gardens before arriving at your accommodation for the night at Baslow.
Day 6: Baslow - Tideswell (11 miles)
Continue along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way before turning towards Calver Peak with fine views over a series of Gritstone edges. A pleasant walk to Great Longstone, through Little Longstone takes you to the spectacular viewpoint of Monsal Head. From Monsal Head you will follow the river Wye along the Monsal Trail through Water-cum-jolly Dale to Millers Dale. Passing through Tideswell Dale takes you to ‘Cathedral of the Peak’ Tideswell, known for its magnificent 14th century church of St John the Baptist.
Day 7: Tideswell - Buxton (9 miles)
The track out of Tideswell joins with the Limestone Way overlooking Monks Dale, part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. From the northern reaches of Millers Dale you continue along the river Wye along the Monsal Trail through Chee Dale & Deep Dale to join the Midshires Way. Your final stretch to Buxton allows the opportunity to visit the viewpoint at Grinlow Tower (Solomon’s Temple) which overlooks this charming market town.
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