The Peak District by train: 12 of the best train-accessible pub walks in The Peaks
One of the best things about the Peak District is how accessible it is by train. You don’t need a car to reach dramatic ridgelines, breathtaking valleys, moorland plateaus or proper end-of-walk pubs. And in many cases, the path starts directly outside the station.
With the Peak District quickly becoming one of the UK’s most popular hiking spots, not only do car parks fill up fast, but choosing to travel by train is a great way to help protect our landscapes for everyone to enjoy.
About this guide
This guide focuses on Peak District walks you can genuinely do by train, using well-served routes like the Hope Valley Line, the Buxton Line and the Derwent Valley Line. Each walk below includes:
Which train line to use
Which station to get off at
What the walk is like
Where to warm up afterwards
All are suitable for long, satisfying days out, with a couple of ‘quick strolls’ added in for the days you want to take a slower pace.
Train lines you’ll use most
Before diving in, these are the key rail routes that make car-free Peak District walking possible:
Hope Valley Line
Manchester Piccadilly ↔ Sheffield
(serves Hope, Bamford, Hathersage, Grindleford, Edale)Buxton Line
Manchester Piccadilly ↔ Buxton
(serves Chinley, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Buxton)Derwent Valley Line
Derby ↔ Matlock
(serves Cromford and Matlock)
Most services are run by Northern, with TransPennine Express stopping at some stations.
The Best Pub Walks in the Peak District
Each route below includes:
the train line and station to use
a brief overview of the walk itself
and a good pub nearby to recharge in after your walk
All of them are reachable using regular services from cities like Manchester, Sheffield and Derby — no car required.
1. Bamford Edge
Train: Hope Valley Line
Station: Hope or Bamford
Walk style: Open edge, gradual ascent
Bamford Edge is a steady climb to one of the best viewpoints in the Dark Peak, overlooking Ladybower Reservoir and the Derwent Valley. From Hope or Bamford station, you can create a circular route via woodland and open moorland. My favourite train-friendly route is this 6 mile circular starting from Bamford Station.
Best pub:
The Old Hall Inn, Whitehough (short detour)
The Anglers Rest, Bamford
2. Padley Gorge
Train: Hope Valley Line
Station: Grindleford
Walk style: Woodland gorge, muddy in wet weather
Padley Gorge follows Burbage Brook through a wooded limestone gorge with stepping stones and rocky paths. This walk can be picked up straight from Grindleford Station to make a short circular route, or combine with nearby edges for a full day’s adventure. My favourite route is this 7 mile loop that takes you up to Curbar Edge for stunning sunset views.
Best pub:
The Fox House
The Sir William, Grindleford
Train: Derwent Valley Line
Station: Cromford
Walk style: Long, steady, low-gradient
This walk begins directly opposite the station just before Cromford Mills. The route climbs gradually onto the High Peak Trail, a former railway line with long views and easy navigation, with lots of pub and cafe stops along the route.
For full step-by-step navigation, take a look at the full route here, where you can also download the GPX file to upload the route to your chosen navigation app.
Best pub:
The Boat Inn, Cromford
The Greyhound, Cromford
4. Stanage Edge
Train: Hope Valley Line
Station: Hathersage
Walk style: Long ridge walk, exposed, straightforward navigation
From Hathersage, well-used paths climb onto Stanage Edge, one of the longest continuous gritstone escarpments in the Peak District. Once on top, the walking is relatively level, making it ideal for covering distance without constant ascent.
It’s easy to loop back via a different descent or link with nearby edges.
Good to know
Busy at weekends, especially near popular viewpoints
Best pubs
The George, Hathersage
The Scotsman’s Pack, Hathersage
Bank House, Hathersage
Train: Buxton Line
Station: Buxton
Walk style: Short ascent, panoramic views
A short climb above Buxton leads to Solomon’s Temple on Grin Low. Often combined with longer woodland and limestone routes for a more substantial day.
Good to know:
Can be busy on weekends
Best pubs:
The Cheshire Cheese
Trackside Brewery
Train: Glossop Line
Station: Glossop
Walk style:
Remote moorland plateau
Boggy underfoot in places
Serious, full-day hike
From Glossop station, this is one of the most remote-feeling walks you can do by train in the Peak District. The route climbs steadily out of town onto open moorland, heading towards the Bleaklow Plateau and the remains of a B-29 Superfortress that crashed here in 1948.
Wreckage is scattered across the moor, serving as a quiet memorial and a stark reminder of how unforgiving this landscape can be. This is not a gentle walk — navigation skills are essential, especially in poor visibility — but it’s an incredibly powerful and memorable day out.
Good to know:
This route is best saved for clear conditions. The Bleaklow plateau is notorious for mist, peat bogs and rapidly changing weather. Take navigation with you, and if you’re looking for a pre-planned route, you can follow this walk here.
Best pubs in Glossop:
The Globe, Glossop
The Norfolk Arms, Glossop
Howard Town Brewery Tap, Glossop
7. Giddy Edge
Train: Derwent Valley Line
Station: Matlock
Walk style: Narrow edge path, country paths, village walk
Giddy Edge is a narrow limestone path carved into the hillside high above the Derwent Valley. It feels exposed and dramatic, with steep drops in places.
Good to know:
Avoid in icy or very wet conditions
Best pubs: Plenty to choose from in Matlock Bath and Matlock
8. Curbar Edge
Train: Hope Valley Line
Station: Grindleford
Walk style: Edge walking, steeper ascent, quieter paths
A short but steep climb from Grindleford brings you onto Curbar Edge, which feels quieter and more rugged than neighbouring Stanage. The edge runs above the Derwent Valley with excellent views and fewer crowds. Often combined with Froggatt Edge or Baslow Edge for a full-day walk.
Good to know:
Rocky sections near the edge
Best pubs:
The Grouse Inn, Curbar
The Fox House Inn
9. Cracken Edge
Train: Buxton Line
Station: Chinley
Walk style: Steep ascent, quiet edge
From Chinley, a steep climb via Chinley Churn leads onto Cracken Edge, offering quieter gritstone walking and wide western views.
Good to know:
Exposed and windy on top
Best pubs:
The Old Hall Inn, Chinley
10. Upper Goyt Valley
Train: Buxton Line
Station: Whaley Bridge
Walk style: Looped valley walk with woodland, reservoirs and open tracks. Forest paths, gravel tracks, grassy trails and boardwalk
This is one of the best car-free day walks near Manchester, and a great example of how easy it is to reach genuinely peaceful Peak District landscapes by train. The route starts and finishes at Whaley Bridge station and forms a varied loop through woodland, reservoirs and open valley scenery.
From the station, paths lead quickly into Hillbridge Wood, before opening out into the Upper Goyt Valley. You’ll pass a string of reservoirs — Toddbrook, Fernilee and Errwood Reservoir — linked by forest tracks, gravel paths and sections of boardwalk. It feels wild in places, quiet in others, and never overly busy.
Good to know:
Paths can be muddy after rain, especially through the valley
Boardwalk sections are slippery in winter
Limited mobile signal — download maps before you go
Why it’s a great choice:
Direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly (around 50 minutes)
A real mix of scenery without technical terrain
Quieter than many Hope Valley routes
Starts and ends right by cafés and pubs
Best pubs and cafés (right by the station):
The Bridge Bakehouse – excellent coffee and cake
Café 16, Whaley Bridge
The Old Hall Inn, nearby Chinley (short extra walk or train stop)
This is an ideal walk if you want something moderate but rewarding, with plenty of interest along the way and zero logistics stress.
Train: Buxton Line
Station: New Mills (New Mills Central or New Mills Newtown)
Walk style: Easy, scenic loop with dramatic gorge views, Well-defined paths, mostly flat, with steps and narrow sections
This is one of the most impressive easy walks you can do by train near Manchester. Starting right from New Mills station, this short circular route takes you through the dramatic Torrs Gorge, where rivers, cliffs and industrial history meet — all with minimal elevation gain.
The walk loops through The Torrs Riverside Park, crosses the spectacular Millennium Walkway, and links into the flat, traffic-free Sett Valley Trail, which follows an old railway line towards Hayfield. Despite being just four miles, it packs in a huge amount of scenery.
Good to know:
Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs due to steps and narrow walkways
Very popular at weekends due to its accessibility
12. Kinder Scout
Train: Hope Valley Line
Station: Edale
Walk style: Remote moorland, demanding
Kinder Scout is a full-day hike onto a vast moorland plateau of gritstone edges and peat hags, taking you to the highest point in the Peak District. Navigation skills are essential in poor visibility.
Good to know:
Boggy underfoot, weather changes quickly
Best pubs:
The Rambler Inn, Edale
The Old Nags Head, Edale
