University of Manchester Hiking Club

From UMHC Hiking Guide

The hills within the white peak area of the Pennines are typically gentle, rolling and grass covered rarely getting over 400 meters. As a rule this makes for pleasant, if rather easy walking (though with lots of cattle about, which may occasionally cause you trouble). Chrome and Parkhouse hills in upper Dovedale are the remains of ancient coral reefs and represent honourable exceptions to this rule.

The main interest of the area however lies within its dales, the most famous of which is Dovedale. Here the rivers have cut themselves deep gorges through the limestone creating often spectacular limestone cliffs.

The area to the east of Buxton is also nice countryside to walk through. In particular a nice walk is to go from Buxton up to the Cat and Fiddle pub, via the Erwood Resevoir.

Another nice walk is to walk from Hope to Buxton, via Castleton, Monk's Dale, Miller's Dale and Cheedale.

Alternatively, you can get the train to Whaley Bridge or Chapel-en-le-frith and walk over to Buxton, past the crags at Castle Naze, or down the Goyt Valley, passing the Fernlee and Erwood Resevoirs. The walk from Whaley Bridge to Buxton down the Goyt Valley was successfully run as a train hike in late January 2007.

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