Transpeak Walks - Our “Stomping” Ground

Where is the Peak District National Park?

The location of the Peak District is in the Northwest of England. The boundary of the region encroaches into the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire & Yorkshire. Situated between the two great industrial cities of Manchester and Sheffield, the Peak District has always been a welcome escape for people, from the stresses and strains of city-life.

The Peak District forms the southern end of the Pennines (The backbone of Britain). The geology of The Peak District means it is divided between two contrasting landscapes, known as The Dark Peak and The White Peak.

The Dark Peak lies in the Northern half of the Peak District and contains the high moorland areas, of which Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Black Hill are probably the most famous (or ‘infamous’, dependant on your perception or experiences!).

The highest point is the summit of Kinder Scout at 636 metres (2088 feet). A bleak, windswept landscape of heather and deep peat groughs, sitting atop a bedrock of Gritstone* (*locally known as ‘Millstone Grit’ because of its use, in earlier times, for making Grinding Stones).

One might be mistaken in thinking that wildlife would be scarce in this harsh environment, however, the opposite is true. Many ‘ground-nesting’ birds thrive in the ‘managed’ landscape, including Golden Plover, Meadow Pipit, Curlew to name just a few. Ravens, Kestrels and red grouse also thrive on the moorlands. As do a number of animals such as the Mountain Hare, Common Lizards and the more hardy breeds of sheep.

The contrast between the ‘highlands’ of the Dark Peak and the gentler rolling hills of the White Peak could not be greater. The White Peak consists mainly of Limestone rock. Limestone is a particularly porous rock and when water penetrates it, it forms a mildly acidic solution which erodes the rock even quicker. The number of deep sided dales and show caves are evidence of this.

The White Peak is an altogether different landscape of green fields, drystone walls and farms. In the dales, many rare plants and orchids can be found. A splendid riot of colour which contrasts with the dark, brooding hills of the Dark Peak.

Transpeak Walks specialise in linear ‘station to station’ walks on The Hope Valley, Buxton and Glossop railway lines. These three lines give excellent coverage of some of the most beautiful areas within the National Park. Our walks aim to cover the most interesting areas of the National Park.