The best pub walks in the Peak District

There's a particular kind of Peak District day that's hard to beat: a few hours on the edges or down the dales, boots muddy, cheeks cold, and then a proper pub with a fire and a pint at the end of it.

We've picked eight of our favourite Peak District pub walks, from short strolls to half-day ridge walks, across both the gritstone Dark Peak and the limestone White Peak. For each one you'll find the distance, a realistic time, the pub, and whether you can do it by train or with a dog.

Pub opening and food times change, especially midweek and in winter, so always check before you set off.

The walks at a glance

Times are walking times at a steady pace. Add your lunch stop on top.

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1. Edale, Hollins Cross & Mam Tor: the Old Nag's Head

7.3 km (4.5 miles) · 330 m of climb · 2.5–3.5 hours · Circular

This is the classic short Dark Peak walk, and it starts and ends at one of the most famous walkers' pubs in England. From Edale village you cross the fields past Ollerbrook to Hollins Cross, the old coffin route over the ridge. Then follow the flagstone path up to the summit of Mam Tor for the view down both the Edale and Hope valleys, before dropping back to the village.

The pub: The Old Nag's Head is the traditional starting point of the Pennine Way. Expect walkers, dogs and a real fire. Food is served from lunchtime into the early evening.

Good to know: Park at Edale village car park (pay and display), or arrive by train: Edale station is opposite. Mam Tor's upper path is exposed and busy at weekends. Sheep graze the hillside, so keep dogs on leads.

Plan a pub walk from Edale →

2. Castleton, Lose Hill & the Great Ridge: two pubs, one ridge

12.5 km (7.8 miles) · 560 m of climb · 3.5–4 hours · Circular

The Great Ridge between Lose Hill and Mam Tor is one of the best ridge walks in the Peak, and this route gives you a pub at each end. Walk across the fields from Castleton to Hope for a coffee or an early lunch. Climb Lose Hill, then follow the ridge west to Back Tor and Hollins Cross before dropping back into Castleton.

The pubs: The Old Hall Hotel in Hope serves food all day and has a tea room. Finish at The George in Castleton, a listed village pub. Castleton has plenty of other pubs and cafés if it's busy.

Good to know: Save the pint for the end. There's a steep pull up Lose Hill after Hope. Add about 45 minutes if you want to continue along the ridge to Mam Tor's summit before descending.

Plan a pub walk from Castleton →

3. Hathersage, Bamford Edge & the Anglers Rest

About 12 km (7.5 miles) · 3.5–4 hours · Circular

Bamford Edge has one of the best views in the Dark Peak: Ladybower Reservoir laid out below a gritstone edge. From Hathersage head north on field paths towards Bamford, then climb to the edge from New Road. After walking along the top, drop down into Bamford village for lunch, and return to Hathersage beside the River Derwent.

The pub: The Anglers Rest in Bamford is a community-owned pub, bought by the village and reopened in 2025. It's well worth supporting.

Good to know: The edge has sheer drops, so keep well back and keep children close. Hathersage and Bamford both have stations on the Hope Valley line, so you can do this one by train.

Plan a pub walk from Hathersage →

4. Padley Gorge & Longshaw: the Grouse Inn

9.7 km (6 miles) · about 3 hours · Circular · Start at Grindleford station

This is the best car-free walk on this list. Step off the train at Grindleford, climb through the ancient oak woods of Padley Gorge beside the tumbling Burbage Brook, and come out onto the open parkland of the National Trust's Longshaw Estate.

The pubs: The Grouse Inn is a short detour south of the Longshaw Estate. It has a real fire and welcomes dogs, and it's known for its steak pie. The Grindleford Station Café, right at the start, is a much-loved walkers' café.

Good to know: The gorge path is rocky, rooty and slippery when wet. Note the Grouse doesn't serve food on Monday evenings. Coming by train? See our Peak District pub walks by train.

Plan a walk from Grindleford station →

5. Monsal Head & the viaduct: the Monsal Head Hotel

2.5 km (1.5 miles) · about 1 hour · Circular

The shortest walk here, but one of the most rewarding. From the famous viewpoint at Monsal Head, drop through the trees to the weir on the River Wye, pass beneath the Victorian Monsal Viaduct, and climb back up. Extend it along the river or the Monsal Trail if you've got more time.

The pub: The Monsal Head Hotel sits right at the viewpoint. It's dog-friendly, has a real fire, and serves food from lunchtime until evening.

Good to know: The climb back up is short but steep. It's a good choice for families and for a short winter afternoon.

Plan a walk from Monsal Head →

6. Hartington, Beresford & Wolfscote Dales

8.7 km (5.4 miles) · about 3 hours · Circular

This is a quieter alternative to Dovedale. Leave Hartington over the fields to Beresford Dale, where the River Dove runs past Pike Pool, the spot linked with Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton, authors of The Compleat Angler. Continue down limestone-walled Wolfscote Dale, then loop back through Biggin Dale.

The pubs: The Devonshire Arms on the market place is dog-friendly, with a real fire. The Charles Cotton Hotel is named after the angler-poet himself; it serves lunch at weekends.

Good to know: Expect stiles, squeeze stiles and cattle. Biggin Dale's rocks get slippery after rain. Hartington's cheese shop is a must on the way home.

Plan a pub walk from Hartington →

7. Eyam & Stoney Middleton: the Miners Arms

8.8 km (5.5 miles) · 3–4 hours · Figure of eight

Eyam is the "plague village" that quarantined itself in 1665–66 to stop the disease spreading, and this walk weaves that history into a beautiful route. Pass the Riley Graves, drop through beech woods to Stoney Middleton, then climb back to Eyam and loop up towards Sir William Hill for wide Derwent Valley views.

The pub: The Miners Arms is a dog-friendly village pub in the centre of Eyam. Food is served at lunch and in the evening, but kitchen times are short, so check ahead.

Good to know: There are some stiles and a short section of quiet road with no pavement. Allow extra time for Eyam Museum and the church.

Plan a pub walk from Eyam →

8. Dovedale stepping stones & Thorpe Cloud: the Izaak Walton

8 km (5 miles) · 250 m of climb · about 3 hours

The Peak District's most famous stepping stones. Follow the River Dove up the limestone gorge, cross the stones, and continue past Lovers' Leap to the pinnacles of Tissington Spires. Head back and finish with the short, steep climb up Thorpe Cloud for one of the best views in the White Peak.

The pub: The Izaak Walton Hotel's bar is open to walkers, not just guests. It serves food all day, from breakfast through to evening meals, a short walk across the fields at the end.

Good to know: The National Trust car park fills early on sunny weekends. Skip Thorpe Cloud in wet weather, as the grassy descent gets very slippery.

Plan a pub walk in Dovedale →

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Tips for a better pub walk

• Check the kitchen, not just the bar. Many country pubs stop serving food mid-afternoon, and some don't serve food on Mondays.
• Book at weekends. Popular pubs in Castleton, Edale and Hartington fill up fast.
• Time it properly. Allow an hour for every 5 km plus 10 minutes for every 100 m of climb, then add your lunch stop. In winter, plan to finish an hour before sunset.
• Be a good guest. Use the boot room or boot covers, keep dogs on leads inside, and buy something if you use the car park.
• Leave the car behind. The Hope Valley line stops at Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage and Grindleford. Never drink and drive.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do a Peak District pub walk without a car? Yes. The Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester stops at Edale, Hope, Bamford, Hathersage and Grindleford, and walks 1–4 above can all be done by train. For the Castleton walk, join it at Hope. For five station-to-station routes, see our guide to Peak District pub walks by train.

Which Peak District pub walks are dog friendly? The Old Nag's Head (Edale), Grouse Inn (Longshaw), Monsal Head Hotel, Devonshire Arms (Hartington) and Miners Arms (Eyam) all welcome dogs. Pub policies change, so call ahead, and keep dogs on leads around livestock.

What's the easiest Peak District pub walk? The Monsal Head and viaduct loop: about 1.5 miles and an hour of walking, with the pub right at the start and finish.

What's the best Peak District pub walk for views? Castleton, Lose Hill and the Great Ridge, or Hathersage and Bamford Edge. Both give you big ridge-top views with a pub on the way.

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Plan your own Peak District pub walk

Want something closer to home, shorter, flatter or dog-friendly? Tell Your next walk where you're starting, how long you've got and what you love, and it'll plan village-to-village routes with real pubs and the walking in between.

Plan a pub walk, your first 3 are free →

Walks are suggestions only. Always check conditions, follow the waymarks on the ground and use an up-to-date map. Pub details checked October 2026.