Walks and pubs in Peak District.

The Peak District became Britain's first national park in 1951. It splits into two landscapes: the Dark Peak of the north and east, all gritstone edges and peat moorland, and the White Peak of the south, where green limestone dales are crossed by dry-stone walls.

For a van weekend the Hope Valley is the sweet spot. Edale sits at the head of it under Kinder Scout, Castleton below Mam Tor, and Hathersage under Stanage Edge, all linked by one road and the Hope Valley railway line.

Getting there

Manchester and Sheffield are both under an hour away, which is why the honeypot spots fill up early on sunny weekends. The Hope Valley line stops at Edale, Hope, Bamford and Hathersage, so you can park once and use the train to link up a linear walk.

Where to walk

Kinder Scout is the high point at 636 m and the classic big day. Mam Tor and the Great Ridge give the best view for the least effort. Stanage Edge is the one to watch the sunset from, and Cave Dale is a short limestone gorge that starts in Castleton village.

Staying over in a van

Plenty of car parks here are pay and display with no overnight stays, so check the signs. The easiest nights are at campsites and at pubs that say yes when you ask, and the overnight pubs on this page are ones we've stayed at.

When to go

Weekdays and early starts beat the crowds. The heather turns the moors purple in late summer, and winter brings clear, cold days when the edges are at their best.