Edale: Hiking between Kinder Scout and the Pennine Way

Edale is a starting point for impressive hiking experiences in the Peak District. The Pennine Way begins here, while the Edale to Kinder Scout Walk leads to the wind-swept moors of the Kinder Plateau. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage for their stay can therefore discover Edale as a destination for active days, observing nature and adding cultural experiences.

Hikes with different focuses

The Edale to Kinder Scout Walk connects several distinctive landscape features. The route climbs from Edale through the rocky gorge of Grindsbrook Clough and offers views across the Edale Valley and the western edges of the Peak District. At the destination area are the wind-swept moors of the Kinder Plateau, which forms the highest point in the Peak District. This combination makes the route appealing for travel plans centred on a specific landscape and a more challenging hiking experience.

The Pennine Way begins in Edale and runs via Kinder Scout and Bleaklow Head. This means that, alongside the circular hiking route, a long-distance trail is also part of the village’s character and travel planning. The Edale Skyline is 21 miles long and involves at least 4,500 feet of ascent. You should take these figures into account when planning your day if you choose accommodation in Edale as a starting point for longer hikes.

Sporting events and special challenges

Edale is also associated with distinctive running and endurance events. The High Peak Marathon is a 42-mile overnight navigation and endurance challenge for teams of four that starts and finishes in Edale. The Edale Fell Race is held regularly and takes place in early June. It includes sections with challenging, rocky terrain. The two events show different sides of the village: this is not just a place for classic hikes, but also for navigation, endurance and sporting challenges.

You do not have to emulate these competitions when planning your own trip. You can use the landscapes and routes mentioned as inspiration and arrange your stay so that longer hikes are combined with more leisurely discoveries.

Culture at Edale Parish Church

Another aspect of the village is revealed by Edale Parish Church. The building is listed as a Grade II building, was completed in 1889 and has barely changed since then. Inside are information boards about the heritage, as well as short videos about the area and the history of the church. The church also has a Peace Garden with benches. Those wishing to focus on culture between hikes will find a clear connection here to the area’s history and local surroundings.

Edale as a base for your trip

Edale has regular train services on the Hope Valley Line to Sheffield and Manchester. This rail connection is an important point of reference if you are planning to travel without your own car or would like to combine Edale with a stay in the surrounding area. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage, you can therefore first consider which part of your trip should take place in the village itself and which days will be devoted to longer routes in the Peak District.

The experiences available range from the clearly defined Edale to Kinder Scout Walk and the Pennine Way to the cultural information at the Parish Church. This makes it possible to choose Edale as a destination for a trip that brings together landscape, activity, history and a convenient rail connection.

Discover more places

For additional travel ideas, you can also explore North Wingfield, Litton, Yeaveley, Hardstoft, Unstone, Whaley Bridge, Sutton On The Hill and Chinley.

For the higher-level travel overview: Derbyshire.