If you’re looking for somewhere to re-wild yourself, the Dark Peak is the answer. Here you’ll find windswept moorlands peppered with heather and harebell and imposing gritstone escarpments jutting from the landscape. Here is our guide to the Dark Peak…
Kinder Scout
The Dark Peak is famous for it’s desolate and exposed moorland top, as well as the many waterfalls and pools to be found around Kinder Scout and the surrounding areas. Perhaps the most famous of these is Kinder Downfall. In strong winds, this waterfall appears to flow backwards making for some incredible photographs. We’d love it if you could share your photos with us by using #YHANatureChallenge on Instagram!
Castleton
If you’re a bit of a gem enthusiast, why not explore the Blue John Caverns in Castleton? Local businesses run tours of the Caverns, with some even offering boat tours. You can take some Blue John home with you after your visit by buying jewellery or trinkets made from local Blue John at the shops in and around Castleton; there’s something suitable for every budget and we have the perfect place to put your feet up after a long day at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall.
Overlooking Castleton is “mother hill” better known as Mam Tor. Mam Tor boasts incredible views over Hope Valley and has remnants of a bronze age settlement sitting on it’s peak. There are plenty of notice boards with information about this that you can read, and you can still see the remains of the ancient colony etched into the landscape to this day.
Edale
YHA Edale Activity Centre is the perfect base for hikes including Lord’s Seat, Kinder Scout and Ringing Rodger. If a longer hike is what you’re planning, Edale is also the starting point of the impressive Pennine Way which stretches a massive 268 miles and takes roughly 20 days. There are plenty of places to stay along the Pennine Way, including YHA Malham and YHA Alston.
Edale also has a selection of pubs and cafes serving hearty grub up to hungry hikers, a local shop selling food and drinks, eco-friendly toiletries and Edale themed merchandise. There are plenty of activities to partake in with YHA Edale such as walking, climbing, caving, abseiling, canoeing, archery, orienteering and you can even gain qualifications, such as the National Navigation Award and the Hill and Moorland Leader award.
Hathersage
Just a short while up the road from Hope valley lies Hathersage, a quaint village brimming with character. This village is host to a fantastic selection of shops, pubs and restaurants and YHA Hathersage is sat right in the centre of this popular outdoor pursuits hub. They also have one of the first outdoor heated swimming pools ever to be built in the UK, and it’s open year-round to be enjoyed no matter the weather.
Ladybower Reservoir is only a short walk, drive or bus ride from Hathersage. This reservoir is a fantastic base for hikers and paddleboarders alike. You can walk from the layby on the A57 up through a beautiful evergreen forest towards Derwent edge where you’ll be greeted by breath-taking panoramic views of Ladybower reservoir and the surrounding hills and forests.
If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you could even take on the 3 edges walk. Derwent, to Stanage, to Bamford edge takes around 6-7 hours to complete and can be difficult in adverse weather conditions, but the views you’ll find along the way make it all worth the effort.
With so many fantastic places to stay in the Dark Peak with YHA, why not plan your next big adventure? You can explore all that the peaks have to offer, then look forward to a hot meal and a cosy room to rest your head after a long day of hiking, swimming, scrambling or climbing.
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