10 wonderful walks in the Peak District, England s answer to Middle Earth
The crags, tors and peat uplands of the Peak District are well worth going the extra mile for, says Richard Madden
True grit: Stanage Edge
Credit: Loop Images/Getty
White Peak and Dark Peak; their names sound like two warring kingdoms on Middle-earth. One can be found in the lush, green south of the Peak District, with its valleys, broadleaved woodlands, wild-flower grasslands and limestone caves, while the other dwells in the northern uplands, famous for its windswept moors and gritstone crags.
In reality, these are the two main sections of the Peak District National Park, which, having become the UK’s first national park in 1951, is poised to celebrate its 70th birthday. Very different, they both make for inspirational walking.
Ladybower, and the start of the journey - image Derek Latham
- Credit: Archant
From Ladybower to Derby - Derek Latham, Chair of the Derwent Valley Trust, explores the beautiful Derwent Valley on foot
The beautiful views of the Derwent Valley - image Derek Latham
- Credit: Archant
The Derwent Valley Trust, instrumental in establishing the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, formed the Derwent Valley Heritage Way in 2003. As current Chair of the Trust, I wanted to experience it, as a tourist would, by walking the full length and staying at local establishments. Here’s our experience of walking from Ladybower to Shardlow.
Peak District named as one of the best national parks in Europe
It ranked higher than parks in Spain, Turkey and Italy
Stanage Edge in the Peak District (Image: Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
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