1/9

15 Short Walks in the Peak District - Bakewell and the White Peak

Discover 15 of the best short walks around Bakewell and the White Peak. Each walk comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps, clear route description and lots of images, plus information on beauty spots and refreshment stops. No challenging terrain or complicated navigation means walks can be enjoyed by everyone.

Printed book + eBookBest value ~~£19.90~~ £14.92 Full guidebook plus the digital edition — 50% off the eBook

Printed book £9.95 Full guidebook with maps & profiles. Available and ready to dispatch

eBook £9.95 Digital edition for your eReader. Download from your Cicerone Library

The eBook is also sold by Google Play Books, Apple Books, Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo.

After completing your purchase, GPX files will be available to download from My Library

Quick facts

Trail name: 15 Short Walks in the Peak District – Bakewell and the White Peak
Location: Peak District National Park, England (White Peak area around Bakewell)
Number of walks: 15 circular routes
Distance: 4 — 10km (2.5 — 6.25 miles)
Typical duration: Under 3 hours per walk
Terrain: Limestone dales, riverside paths, flower-rich meadows, wooded valleys and rolling pastureland
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; suitable for beginners, families and casual walkers
Highlights: Upper Cressbrook Dale, Monsal Dale, Chatsworth House, Eyam and scenic riverside walks near Bakewell
Navigation: Ordnance Survey maps with clear, step-by-step route descriptions
Facilities: Details on parking, cafés, pubs and public transport for each walk
Best season: Year-round walking, with spring wildflowers, summer greenery and colourful autumn dales

Detailed overview

Experience the limestone heart of Derbyshire with this collection of 15 carefully selected short walks around Bakewell and the White Peak in the Peak District National Park.

Carefully designed to be completed in under three hours, these circular routes reveal tranquil rivers, dramatic limestone gorges, rolling pastureland and timeless villages, making them perfect for families, weekend visitors, and walkers seeking beginner-friendly walks in the Peak District without committing to a full-day hike.

Each walk between 4 and 10km (2.5 to 6.25 miles) includes clear, step-by-step route descriptions alongside detailed Ordnance Survey mapping, so you can navigate the White Peak’s network of dales, fields and walled lanes with ease
Routes explore classic limestone landscapes such as Cressbrook Dale and the sweeping valley views of Monsal Dale, showcasing the area’s distinctive geology and riverside beauty
Practical information for every route covers parking, public transport options, terrain notes and nearby cafés or pubs, helping you plan smooth, stress-free days in the Peak District
Scenic routes pass historic landmarks including the grand parkland of Chatsworth House and the poignant village of Eyam, blending natural beauty with fascinating local heritage
Many walks offer options to shorten or extend the route, giving you flexibility to adapt to the weather, your fitness level or the time you have available

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, known for its reliable mapping and practical guidance, 15 Short Walks in the Peak District: Bakewell and the White Peak is ideal for anyone searching for easier Peak District walks, family-friendly routes in Derbyshire or inspiring half-day adventures. Whether you’re on holiday or a local looking for new areas to explore, this book provides everything you need to explore the White Peak’s finest scenery with confidence.

Discover the full

Short Walks in the Peak District

range, including guidebooks to Edale & the Hope Valley and Buxton, Dovedale and the South West Peak — perfect for building your collection of Peak District short walks.

Where and when to go

Seasons

Spring for the wild flowers and wildlife in the limestone dales, summer for the lush meadows and parkland of Chatsworth, autumn for the woodland colours and purple heather moorland.

Centres

Bakewell (town) and villages: Litton, Tideswell, Taddington, Chelmorton, Flagg, Sheldon, Monyash, Youlgrave, Elton, Birchover, Edensor, Beeley, Calver, Grindleford.

Difficulty

The Peak District is hilly so most walks involve modest slopes or steps, a few with longer or steeper climbs on to moorland or hilltops. Some dales are rocky underfoot and field paths can involve plenty of wall stiles, but no special equipment is needed except for sturdy footwear with decent grip.

Must See

Tunnels and viaducts on the Monsal Trail (former railway line). Caves, crags and disappearing streams in dramatic limestone dales. Flower-rich upland meadows and the tree-lined River Derwent. Sumptuous parkland and stately house of Chatsworth. Bakewell’s bustling pudding shops, cafes and market. Heather moorland and far-reaching views across the Peak District.

Which format is best for me?

Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.

ISBN	9781786312570
Availability	Published
Published	17 April 2025
Pages	96
Weight	120g

eBook

The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.

What is the Cicerone app?

The Cicerone App is your on-trail companion: GPS-enabled maps, route information and planning tools from our guidebooks, built for use on the move. Browse and buy guides directly in the app, then follow expert-curated routes, explore local landmarks and points of interest, and check facilities information as you go.

Find out more about the Cicerone App FAQs here, for further details.

Key features:

Expert-curated routes – Follow routes crafted by expert authors who know each area inside out.
Plan with confidence – Find detailed facilities information and discover local landmarks along the way.
Your adventure library, always with you – Access your purchased guides anytime and discover new adventures in our expanding digital collection, from local day walks to epic treks.

Get the app on the App Store or Google Play.

Please note: GPX files are downloaded separately and are designed for use in other mapping apps or GPS devices. They cannot be viewed within the Cicerone app.

Updates

Currently there are no updates for this book.

Meet the author

Andrew McCloy

View author

Andrew McCloy is a writer, journalist and consultant specialising in walking and outdoor recreation and has produced over 20 titles, from family and history rambles to exploring the British coast on foot. An experienced long-distance walker, he wrote the first ever guide to walking from Land's End to John o'Groats and an award-winning profile of the Pennine Way which he walked to mark its 50th anniversary. He's a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, formerly Information Officer for the Ramblers' Association and for 12 years was an elected Parish Member of the Peak District National Park (5 years as Chair). He's currently Walks Programme Manager for YHA (England and Wales) and Chair of the national charity Campaign for National Parks. Andrew is married with two daughters and lives in Derbyshire.