Best views in the Peak District

Our region offers expansive landscapes and breathtaking scenery – so what are the best views in the Peak District?

From the open moorlands and gritstone formations of the Dark Peak to the limestone plateaus and deep gorges of the White Peak, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention the rolling farmland, wooded valleys, and picturesque villages that pepper this corner of England.

With so much beauty to behold, it’s no wonder that the Peak District is a popular destination for walkers. Here are some of our favourite walks with stunning vistas and viewpoints along the way:

Mam Tor

Mam Tor offers stunning views of the Hope Valley and beyond. The walk to the top is relatively short (about 1.5 miles) but steep, so be prepared for a bit of a climb. The path is well-maintained and easy to follow, and there are plenty of places to stop and take in the views along the way.

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can see as far as Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors. There’s also a trig point at the top, which is a great place to take a photo.

Mam Tor is a popular spot for walkers, so it’s best to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can also try the Mam Tor and the Great Ridge Walk, which is a longer (5.5 miles) but more rewarding hike.

Stanage Edge

Stanage Edge is a popular Peak District location for rock climbing, hiking, and enjoying stunning views. The gritstone edge stretches for about 4 miles, offering panoramic views of the Derwent Valley and beyond.

There are several car parks near Stanage Edge, but they can get busy, especially on weekends. It’s best to arrive early or later in the day to avoid the crowds.

The walk to the top of Stanage Edge is relatively easy, but it can be steep in places. There are several paths to choose from, so you can find one that’s right for you.

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can see as far as Kinder Scout and the Pennines. There are also several rock climbing routes on Stanage Edge, so if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at climbing.

Monsal Head

Monsal Head offers stunning views of the Monsal Dale and the Headstone Viaduct. The viaduct is a former railway viaduct that is now a popular walking and cycling route.

The walk to Monsal Head is relatively short (about 1 mile) and easy, making it a great option for families and people of all fitness levels. There is a car park at the top of the head, so you can drive there if you prefer.

Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the views from the viewing platform or take a walk along the Monsal Trail. The trail follows the former railway line and offers stunning views of the dale below.

If you’re looking for a longer walk, you can also try the Monsal Dale Circular Walk, which is about 5 miles long. This walk takes you around the dale and includes some beautiful scenery, including the Monsal Head viewpoint and the Headstone Viaduct.

Surprise View

Surprise View offers stunning views of the Hope Valley and the Derbyshire Dales. The name “Surprise View” comes from the fact that the view suddenly appears as you round a bend in the road.

The walk to Surprise View is relatively short (about 0.5 miles) and easy, making it a great option for families and people of all fitness levels. There is a car park at the top of the view, so you can drive there if you prefer.

Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the views from the viewing platform or take a walk along the path that leads to the Mother Cap, a large gritstone rock formation.

If you’re looking for a longer walk, you can also try the Surprise View Circular Walk, which is about 2 miles long. This walk takes you around the Burbage Moors and includes some beautiful scenery, including Surprise View and the Mother Cap.

The very best views – Wheeldon Trees Cottages

Our award-winning luxury Derbyshire retreat is set in a backdrop of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill. Dragon’s Back is a ridge walk that takes in the limestone hills of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill. The name “Dragon’s Back” comes from the serrated ridge of the hills, which resembles the spine of a dragon. The walk is about 3.5 miles long and is moderately challenging. The path is well-maintained and easy to follow, but there are some steep sections. The views from the top of the hills are stunning, and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Lake District.

You can walk to Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill directly from Wheeldon Trees.

Our retreat offers free EV charging, an honesty shop packed to the brim with goodies, a fantastic games room where you can play pool, air hockey or ping pong and a range of new electric bikes for you to borrow to explore the local area.

In 2023 five of our cottages were rated 5-Star Gold by VisitEngland. The Farmhouse retained its 5-Star Gold rating from 2020. And now Priestley Cottage, Ollerenshaw Cottage, Nadin Cottage and Mycock Cottage join it with top marks. The remaining five cottages – Sheldon, Walker’s Rest, Critchlow, Elliott and Lomas were all rated 4-Star Gold. In addition, TripAdvisor recently named Wheeldon Trees in the top 10% of places to stay in the world. Thanks to our visitors’ amazing reviews, we were delighted to be awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2022. To complete the hat trick, we were also the runner-up in best self-catering accommodation at this year’s Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.

You can view our availability and pick your perfect cottage by following this link – view our availability.