Short Day Nature Walks
Mountain Hare Walk (Early March – Late April)
Dish Stone Rocks with mountain hare, Saddleworth, Date 3 March 2011, Author John Fielding
The Peak District plays host to the most Southerly population of this charismatic mammal in the UK. Native but thought to have become extinct over 8000 years ago, Mountain Hares were reintroduced into the Peaks in the late nineteenth century and have since become established in the Dark Peak.
The Mountain Hare is one of only two species of mammal to moult into a white winter pelage (the other being the Stoat), an adaption that camouflages and protects it from predators on the snowy tops during winter, where it ekes out a living digging down to eat the snow covered heather.
As we head into March the moors are often largely snow free but the Hares are still in their winter coats making them easier to find and see at this time of year and the ideal time to take one of our guided Mountain Hare walks. In April the Hares begin to moult but can still be easily spotted amongst the green and brown of the moorland and with the Spring migrants such as Ring Ouzel, Cuckoo, Pied Flycatcher, Curlew and Golden Plover returning to the moors, edges and surrounding woodland this is a great month to head up to the Dark Peak.
These walks are ideal for single bookers, couples and families where the smaller group size will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of their guide. Perfect for the mammal lover or nature enthusiast in your life – we cant wait to share these special animals with you, so please get in touch to enquire or book.
Duration: c 4hours.
Cost: Adults £25, Under 16 £20 (must be accompanied by an adult). There is a 10% discount when two or more adults book. No deposit required!
Need to know: The weather can be very changeable in the Dark Peak in Spring so come prepared – Heavy snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a postponement/cancellation – Some paths are steep and may be slippy but don’t worry we’ll take our time.
Padley Gorge Amble (Late April – June)
As nature walks go there is nowhere in the county quite like Padley Gorge and a walk here is like wandering into a fairy woodland.
We’ll time our visit to give us the best chance of seeing and hearing the gorge’s star birds – Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler.
We’ll enjoy a walk full of wildlife – from Grey Wagtails on the stream, to butterflies, to the wonderful lichen clad Oaks themselves. If we have time we can then make the short drive to the nearby Froggatt and Curbar edge’s with their stunning views and chance of upland wildlife.
An ideal walk for keen birder and family alike with some wonderful photo opportunities.
Rutting Deer on the Eastern Moors (September to November)
We will visit the stunning Curbar and Froggatt edges with their spectacular vistas and their views over Big Moor where we’ll hopefully find our target animal – Red Deer!
At this time of year the Stags should be at their most vocal and obvious as they look to win and keep control of a group of hinds. While we are up there we’ll keep our eyes open for migrant birds heading over the moors as our winter visitors start to arrive and our summer breeders continue to depart.
Promises to be an action packed visit with fabulous photo opportunities. Some climbs but mostly on well established paths.
Derwent Valley Wander (All year)
An easy walk along the world famous Cromford canal where we’ll be trying to spot one of Derbyshire’s most endangered and lovable mammals – the Water Vole.
Somewhat easier to find are the large population of Pike which lurk menacingly in the clear water and the canal’s noisy yet charming Little Grebes.
We can then take an optional extension to visit one of the wonderful woodlands in the area, which are rich in bird life and alive with flowers in spring.
Always something to see and talk about, this predominantly flat walk is ideal for all abilities and for anyone with an interest in Derbyshire’s rich industrial heritage!
A mid-week visit is recommended as this route can be very busy at weekends!
Crowden – Spring & Autumn in this magnificent dale (early April to late May & mid July to mid September) *NEW FOR 2026*
A wonderful walk in this stunning and little visited Dark Peak valley with full and half day options available!
The birding begins from the car park near the Crowden Outdoor centre with the riverside woodland here home to many more common woodland species including Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin with the chance of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart in Spring and passage Spotted Flycatcher a possibility in Autumn. The damp open fields close to the water attract Lapwing, Curlew, Snipe and occasional Wheatear in spring. Crossing the Crowden brook (which holds Dipper and Grey Wagtail) we’ll begin our slow, leisurely climb from the valley bottom to meet the Pennine Way.
Laddow Rocks – Crowden dale
The more open landscape of scattered trees & rough grassland in this section is ideal for both Tree & Meadow Pipit in spring these in turn prove a big attraction for Cuckoo which is a brood parasite for both species, whilst the extensive bracken beds here are the perfect habitat for Stonechat (from March) and the later arriving Whinchat (from May) with an early autumn visit standing a good chance of connecting with family parties of both species.
We will now be entering a landscape of rocky outcrops, tumbling boulders and heather where we will spend some time searching for one of our main targets – Ring Ouzel. The striking males of this iconic upland species arrive back on territory in late March where their simple repeated song echoes from the rocks while a visit in Autumn sees large post breeding groups of these thrushes assembling to feed on Rowan & Billberries.The ‘get back’ call of Red Grouse – our only endemic bird species – is easy to hear all year round with the smart males particularly visible when sorting out their territories in Spring.
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon
Scanning the skies above valley we will almost certainly see Ravens which nest on the crags and are present all year round and on a good day we may record three species of falcon with Peregrine and Kestrel both frequenting the area whilst Merlin, nesting on the open moors, are sometimes seen hunting Pipits in dashing pursuit flight! Common Buzzard and, increasingly, Red Kite are also seen.
It’s not just birds though – Mountain Hare can occasionally be seen at higher elevations, while a warm spring visit is ideal for locating Common Lizard basking in the sun. Green Hairstreak are also a frequent sight here in April & May. A late summer/early autumn visit will see the Heather at its best with swathes of pink and purple across the hillside and plenty butterflies such as Gatekeeper and Red Admiral on the wing.
If on the full day option we will continue our climb up to the stunning Laddow Rocks, with its breathtaking views making it the ideal place for a rest break and a welcome cuppa! If the weather is favourable we will have the option to move onto the open moor of Feathbed Moss looking for Golden Plover, Curlew and Skylark before retracing our steps.
Species seen on previous walks: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Skylark, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Linnet, Whinchat, Cuckoo, Red Grouse, Raven, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Peregrine, Hobby, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Buzzard, Red Kite, Curlew, Lapwing, Common Lizard, Brown Hare, Mountain Hare
And with a slice of luck!: Short-Eared Owl, Golden Plover, Wheatear (from April), Pied Flycatcher (from May), Stoat
Duration: 5-6 hours (full day), 3-4 hours (half day)
Cost: Full Day – Adults £40, Under 16 £20 (must be accompanied by an adult). There is a 10% discount when two or more adults book.
Half Day – Adults £30, Under-16 £15
No deposit required!
Need to know: We will be making around 260m of ascent on the full day walk (to a height of c500m) on rugged, often muddy and/or rocky paths, though we will be taking our time and making plenty of stops this route may not be suitable for some people and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Walking boots and sensible weather proof clothing are essential. Heavy rain, high winds or poor visibility may lead to a postponement/cancellation.
Nature Walks in Derbyshire & The Peak District
Natural Derbyshire Tours are passionate about providing amazing nature based guided walks in Derbyshire, the Peak District and surrounding areas in a safe and interesting way.
