The Peak Wesley Way is a new long distance footpath designed to link some of the most idyllic villages of the Peak District. It begins in the White Peak and follows some of the most spectacular limestone dales before entering the Dark Peak where moorland prevails.

Starting in the spa town of Matlock, you will journey north from the gentle White Peak to the more austere Dark Peak. Your route will take you through some of England’s most breathtaking natural beauty, and yet still a landscape that bears the marks of generations of farmers, industrialists and travellers. Having walked up to ten miles each day, you will shelter overnight in Methodist chapels along the route.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1: Matlock to Youlgreave
Meet your guide in Matlock in time to set off at 10.30am. Ascend the medieval Limestone Way northwards from the spa town of Matlock, incorporating the 14th century Hermitage at Cratcliffe Tor, concluding at Youlgreave, a pretty village popular with walkers. 9 miles / 466m ascent / 380m descent
Day 2: Youlgreave to Great Longstone
A day of beautiful countryside views and riverside walks, incorporating the “shy” River Lathkill, Victorian weirs, the market town of Bakewell (home of the famous pudding) and the impressive Monsal viaduct. 8-10 miles / 319m ascent / 302m descent
Day 3: Great Longstone to Baslow
Travel through the last of the limestone White Peak and its ancient lead mining rakes until you meet the harsher grit of the Dark Peak at Baslow. The churches and chapels you pass all have stories to tell, of famous and not so famous residents, as does the toll bridge controlling the entrance to Baslow. 6 miles / 197m ascent / 276m descent
Optional afternoon walk around Chatsworth grounds and Edensor village or free time to visit Chatsworth House or simply relax.
Day 4: Baslow to Hathersage
Ascend to the top of Baslow, Froggatt and Curbar edges for spectacular views of the Hope Valley. If you pack your swimwear you may even be able to take a dip in Hathersage Lido. 8 miles / 308m ascent / 270m descent
Day 5: Hathersage to Castleton
A journey through the Hope Valley, with Mam Tor the “Shivering Mountain” in view for much of the day. Along the picturesque route you will encounter many clues to the changing ways people of the valley have lived, worked and made meaning of life. 8 miles / 179m ascent / 150m descent
Day 6: Castleton to Edale
Castleton was once a prolific mining area and particularly known for the mining of the semi-precious Blue John stone. We ascend to the Great Ridge and the impressive Mam Tor before descending into Edale. The skyline is dominated by Kinder Scout, the site of the 1932 Mass Trespass, fighting for the “right to roam”. 4 miles / 311m ascent / 248m descent From Edale there is an hourly train service to Sheffield and Manchester.

The Peak Wesley Way uses Methodist chapels for your overnihgt stays. They will be set up with camp beds with pillows and there is access to a toilet, shower, kettle, toaster, microwave,crockery and cutlery. No meals are provided but your guide will let you know where to shop each day for food and suggest places you can eat together in the evenings. You will need to carry your own gear so pack lightly.

There is no accommodation provided the night before the trek but we can book an extra night for you if required or provide a list of options.

This holiday is for a maximum of 5 women plus guide so do book early.

• Price
• Grade
• Accommodation
• Guide
• Travel

£510 Price includes: 5 nights' camp bed accommodation in chapels; experienced guide to lead and facilitate Not included: Travel to Peak District; meals; insurance; personal expenses

The route covers 45 miles in 5.5 days. The walks are between 6 and 10 miles plus a 4 mile walk on the last half day. The paths are well-trodden but can be uneven and rocky. Ascents are up to 470m over the course of a day. The holiday is graded as moderate bearing in mind that you will be carrying your gear throughout.

We stay at 5 different Methodist chapels along the way. Each has its own character but all are simple and provide basic facilities. There is a camp bed set up for you with a pillow plus a toilet, shower, kettle, toaster, microwave, cutlery and crockery. There is no accommodation provided the night before the trek but this can be booked for you or a list can be provided. The 10.30am start on day 1 allows for most to arrive in the morning ready to walk.

Your guide for this holiday is Rachel Bolton, a fabulous leader who is compassionate and flexible. Rachel is a very safe pair of hands and a qualified Mountain Leader, a member of the Mountain Training Association and the British Mountaineering Council. She is passionalte about the outdoors and has extensive knowledge of the Lake District, Scotland and the Peak Dsitrict in particular. She holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and worked with children as a teacher and headteacher for nearly 30 years. She is also a qualified Alexander Technique teacher. Rachel is passionate about being in the outdoors walking, scrambling, winter mountaineering and climbing. She is currently working towards her Winter Mountain Leader qualification.

The walk begins at Matlock train station and ends in Edale. There are frequent trains to Matlock and an hourly service between Edale and Sheffield / Manchester. If you want to leave a car in Matlock then the train joureny between Edale and Matlock is 2.5 hours via Sheffield and Derby.