The Best 5 Easy Walks In The Peak District
Looking for the best easy walks to do in the Peak District with kids?
You’ll be glad to know there are easy long and short walks in the Peak District which are accessible by pushchairs or by little legs.
We have visited the Peak District in the U.K with kids many times – as campers, cavers and on hiking trips with our kids.
We progressed from easy Peak District walks using a pushchair or baby carrier to challenging long distance walks with complaining tweens! Our family loves hiking in the Peak District and we visit the area annually.
For this round up of the best easy Peak District short walks, I asked fellow blogger, Peak District native and outdoor enthusiast Ella Kendrick for her expert advice. All of the walks featured in this article offer fantastic diverse scenery and wildlife.
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Easy walks in the Peak District (with or without kids!)
Located at the southern end of the Pennines, the Peak District National Park boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in England. From the top of Mam Tor to the bottom of its limestone gorges, there is something for everyone in the Peak District.
My recommended family-friendly walks for Map Made Memories readers are a good starting point for planning your family trip to the Peak District.
Chee Dale Circular Walk and Stepping Stones
If you are looking for easy Peak District walks that pack a few surprises, I recommend the varied and scenic Chee Dale Circular Walk.
The walk starts from Miller’s Dale just outside Buxton in the centre of the Peak District. It offers a variety of things to see and do along the route that will keep kids engaged and moving.
What to expect on the Chee Dale Trail
The path initially follows the Monsal Trail (featured below) and is a wide, flat path that is shared with cyclists and horse riders. Just before you reach a disused railway viaduct, descend signposted steps to continue the walk alongside the River Wye.
From here, the path crosses through the lovely Chee Dale Nature Reserve which is managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The dirt path is maintained but it is narrow and there are a few steps and wooden bridges along the way.
After walking through a beautiful gorge section you reach one of the highlights of this family-friendly Peak District walk, the Chee Dales Stepping Stones.
The stepping stones lie on the edge of the River Wye underneath an overhanging limestone cliff. They are flat and easy to cross though they can get slippery when wet so take care when crossing with kids.
The path then re-joins the Monsal Trail where you have a choice of taking a short or longer route back to Miller’s Dale. If you choose the longer route, you will be rewarded with a second set of stepping stones.
I recommend walking the Chee Dale Trail in spring or summer or during a spell of dry weather.
For scenery and diversity, I think the Chee Dale Trail is one of the best Peak District short walks.
Useful information
Starting point – Miller’s Dale car park, Wormhill, SK17 8SN
Time – The shortest circular walk is 1 – 1.5 hours and covers 3.6km.
The longer route is 2 – 2.5 hours with a total distance of 5km.
Facilities – There are public toilets and a seasonal cafe in Miller’s Dale car park.
Good to know – The trail is uneven in places with rocks and tree roots and can get very muddy after heavy rain. Good gripping footwear is advisable.
The stones can be submerged after heavy rain so if you are coming just for the stones, visit during a dry spell.
Families must pay for parking at Miller’s Dale.
The Monsal Trail – one of the most accessible and easy walks in the Peak District
The Monsal Trail is one of the easiest and most accessible family walks in the Peak District.
This popular walking and cycling route follows the course of Midland Railway’s former Manchester to London rail line that originally opened in 1863.
What to expect walking the Monsal Trail
This traffic free trail spans 9 miles (or 14.6 kilometres) and is a good choice for families as it has a relatively gentle gradient. It is accessible with a pushchair and features some tunnels which are always a hit with kids.
Don’t be alarmed at the long trail length. This is a linear trail so you can walk as much (or as little) of the trail as you like.
Alternatively, there are some good circular trails leading off the Monsal Trail. The Chee Dale walk mentioned above and the pushchair friendly Cressbrook Mill Trail are two of the best.
Highlights of the Monsal Trail include Headstone Tunnel, the longest tunnel on the Monsal Trail. It spans an impressive 490 metres. Kids will love the unusual lighting in the tunnel and making echoes!
Next to the tunnel is the 30 metre high Monsal Head Viaduct which spans 300m across the Wye Valley.
The Viaduct has five large arches made of finely cut limestone blocks. From the top of the bridge you are rewarded with scenic views of the Wye Valley, including the meandering River Wye below.
Peak District family walks don’t get much better – or much easier – than the Monsal Trail.
Useful information
Starting point – There are several places where you can join the Monsal Trail.
You can also start at the trail at Bakewell Station car park, (Station Road DE45 1GE). Alternatively, start from the other end at Miller’s Dale car park, (Wormhill SK17 8SN).
Facilities – There is a seasonal cafe and public toilets at Miller’s Dale car park and at Bakewell rail station.
Good to know – The trail is very popular with cyclists so just be alert to bikes whizzing past you.
Thor’s Cave
If you are visiting the Peak District with kids and fancy a walk with a difference, follow the one hour trail to discover Thor’s Cave.
Thor’s Cave is in the Manifold Valley within the White Peaks area of the Peak District National Park. Artefacts found within the cave show it was used by humans during the Stone Age.
What to expect on the Thor’s Cave trail
The walk to Thor’s cave takes around one hour round trip.
Initially, the trail is flat. You can see the cave entrance high above you which can be exciting (and encouraging) for kids. After about 15 minutes on the path, cross the river via a small bridge and enter a narrow woodland path.
This path gently climbs up towards the cave. There is a final stretch of steps near the cave so this part of the walk is not pushchair friendly.
The cave is a natural limestone cavern with a 7.5m by 10m entrance. There are various small chambers and passages to explore once inside the small cave. However, the stones underfoot can get very slippery so take care.
If you want a more challenging walk, you can visit Thor’s Cave on a longer 5.5 km walk from nearby Wetton.
This walk approaches the cave from behind so you won’t get the same impressive views of the cave entrance as you do on the shorter walk.
Make sure you remember your camera on this walk. In my opinion, the view out of Thor’s Cave over the Manifold Valley is one of the best views in Peak District.
Useful information
Starting point – For the shorter trail, park in the small lay by on Leek Road, near Ashbourne DE6 2AF.
Facilities – There are no facilities in the small car park or along the route.
Good to know – The cave is best visited during dry weather as the rocky slope into the cave can become slippery when wet.
Thor’s Cave is one of the most popular free things to do in Peak District with kids. Visit the cave as early as you can in peak season to avoid the crowds.
Dovedale Stepping Stones
The best Dovedale Peak District walks include the Dovedale Stepping Stones. This area has some of the most accessible family walks Peak District has to offer.
What to expect on Dovedale walks
The walk to the stepping stones from the car park only takes around 10 minutes. The flat tarred path is accessible and runs parallel to the River Dove.
When the river is low enough, you can cross the 16 limestone-capped stepping stones over the River Dove. These stones were originally laid during the Victorian era.
If you have time, venture a little further past the stepping stones. You will be rewarded striking limestone pinnacles such as Tissington Spires, Ilam Rock, Pickering Tor or Reynard’s Cave.
Reynard’s Cave is accessed by a narrow gravel path on the right hand side of the main Dovedale trail. It’s a bit of a scramble to get inside the prehistoric cave but it is worth the effort.
If you fancy a leg stretching challenge, climb Thorpe Cloud, a hill overlooking the stepping stones.
It’s a short steep climb to the summit and there are sheer drops from the rocky outcrop at the top so it is only doable with older kids. This circular walk from the Dovedale Trail is approximately 2.5 km / 1.6m round trip.
Useful information
Starting point – Dovedale Car Park, Ilam, DE6 2AY
Facilities – There are fee paying toilets at the carpark (coins only). A fantastic takeaway cafe serves hot drinks, snacks and ice creams.
Good to know – Dovedale Stepping Stones can get extremely busy during peak times such as weekends or school holidays. At these times I would recommend arriving before 9 am to ensure a spot in the car park. The car park is fee paying and only takes cash.
The stepping stones will be submerged after heavy rain so they are best visited during dry weather.
The banks of the River Dove are an ideal place for a picnic. Plus, the river is shallow here so it is a great spot for a paddle.
Milldale Village Circular Trail
If you have the time and the energy, I highly recommend continuing on from Dovedale Stepping Stones to visit Milldale village.
The village is one of the prettiest villages in the Peak District featuring stone cottages dating back to the 17th century. I think it is one of the hidden gems in the Peak District.
What to expect on the Milldale Trail
This hike is one of the most historic easy walks in the Peak District.
From the starting point at the Dovedale car park, the 6 mile circular walk along the River Dove to Milldale will take between 2 – 3 hours.
As you approach the village from Dovedale, you will see a quaint bridge leading into the village.
This ancient bridge is a former packhorse bridge called Viators Bridge. It acquired its name from ‘The Compleat Angler’, a book published in 1653 which made Dovedale valley famous.
You can find out more about the historic village in the National Trust information centre in the old stable block.
If you have time, you can also take a walk to view Load Mill in the north of Milldale before starting the return journey to Dovedale car park.
Useful information
Starting point – Dovedale Car Park, Ilam, DE6 2AY
Facilities – The National Trust information centre has free public toilets and a drinking water refill station. Polly’s Cafe offers takeaway drinks as well as ice cream, pastries and sandwiches.
Good to know – Kids will enjoy feeding the ducks on the river near the remains of the old mill which gave Milldale its name. Polly’s Cafe sells duck food (leftover picnic bread is not good food for ducks).
I hope you enjoyed my selection of the best short walks in the Peak District that are doable with kids. The Peak District has so much to offer families; so if you haven’t been, what are you waiting for?
Bio: Ella McKendrick is a travel writer who enjoys journeying off the beaten track. She has a keen fascination for the natural world, especially wildlife.
