Best of the Dark Peak, Best of the White Peak & Padley Gorge – New group walk dates available for three of our most popular routes!
Come and experience one (or more) of our most popular routes as part of a small group of like minded people led by our experienced guide.
These walks take in some fantastic habitat with a wealth of superb spring wildlife and stunning views throughout. By joining one of limited availability group walks you will make a huge saving too as these will be charged at just £20 per person (usually £35) for the ‘Best of’ walks and just £15 per person (usually £25) for the Padley Gorge walk.
Sunday 21st April 2024 – Best of the Dark Peak (6 spaces)
A wonderful walk taking in sections of classic Dark Peak habitat such as gritstone edge, open moor and sections of stunning hanging Oak woodland. Previous walks have regularly encountered Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, Stonechat, Whinchat, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Skylark, Red Grouse, Curlew, Golden Plover, Snipe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Wheatear, Buzzard, Kestrel, Red Kite, Common Lizard, Oil Beetle, Green Hairstreak and Green Tiger Beetle. With the chance of Mountain Hare, Merlin, Hobby and Goshawk.
Sunday 28th April 2024 – Padley Gorge (6 spaces)
As nature walks go Padley Gorge is very special 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 along with charismatic year round residents such as Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper. At the top of the gorge the open moorland of the Longshaw Estate is a great place to see and hear Cuckoo, Tree Pipit and Stonechat with the chance of Wheatear and Whinchat. We’ll enjoy a walk full of wildlife – from Grey Wagtails on the stream, to butterflies and the wonderful lichen clad Oaks themselves. There really is nowhere else in the county like Padley!
An ideal walk for keen birder and family alike with some wonderful photo opportunities.
Need to know: Takes around 3 hours, some climb/ascent at the start – but don’t worry we will be stopping lots and taking our time, can be muddy, it will be an early start as the gorge can get very busy
Saturday 11th May 2024 – Best of the White Peak (6 spaces)
A stunning circular from Hartington taking in classic White Peak farmland, a stunning well wooded dry limestone dale and the crystal clear waters of the River Dove as it cuts through a wonderful gorge. Previous walks have regularly encountered Dipper, Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzard, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Raven, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Mandarin, Skylark, Dingy Skipper & swathes of stunning and rare flora such as Early Purple Orchid.
For full descriptions of our longer walks as well as any ‘Need to knows’ please see the relevant section on our full day walks page:
I expect these walks to fill up quickly so don’t hang about and get in touch to book your spot!