Wild Swimming Walks Peak Disitrict leads you on 28 adventures in the soaring landscape of the Peak District. Find secret waterfalls, remote lakes and sparkling river pools.
Complete with photos, maps and practical guidance, rich in local history and stories, this book will appeal to wild swimmers, family explorers, nature lovers and walkers alike.
JOIN THE ADVENTURE
with the best-selling Wild Swimming Walks series and explore Britain’s oldest national park from the gritstone edges of the Hope Valley, to the magical streams on the moorlands of Bleaklow, through to the picturesque limestone river dales of the White Peak.
- Scramble up streams and waterfalls at Black Clough
- Explore fairy pools and mossy cascades on Kinder Scout
- Enjoy delightful picnic and swim spots along the River Derwent
- Find high mountain lakes amidst geological chaos and curiosities
- Discover Tolkienesque ancient woodland and England’s steepest road
Including detailed directions, maps and downloadable route information to print out or take with you on your phone or tablet.
About the author
Matt Heason is Founder of Sheffield Adventure Film Festival and organises events for climbers, walkers, cyclists, runners and wild swimmers. A travel writer and photographer, he grew up in rural north Wales and moved to Sheffield in 1996 because it had great climbing.
Introduction
The Peak District, situated in the heart of England, is renowned for its breathtaking and distinctive scenery. The rolling hills, limestone valleys, woodlands and waterfalls tumbling from high moors and gritstone escarpments differentiate it from the surrounding industrialised and densely populated conurbations, offering a large area of peaceful, often tranquil, countryside which folk can freely visit. The Peak District is a national park, and the majority of visitors pass their time engaging in the popular and easily accessible pursuits of motoring, walking and cycling. This guidebook, however, offers an alternative approach and a more thrilling experience.
Wild swimming provides you with the opportunity to form an intimate connection with nature, an escape from the modern world and a chance to embrace the invigorating sensation of immersion in nature’s embrace. This guide caters to both seasoned adventurers and novices eager to experience the wonders of wild swimming. It is a comprehensive description of 28 inspiring walks, each thoughtfully designed to showcase the best of the region’s landscapes and hidden water-based gems. Whether you seek thrilling river swims, waterfall scrambles or tranquil pool retreats, we have carefully handpicked the best locations for wild swimming adventures, often off the beaten track, each combined with enjoyable walks and fascinating historical connections.
The Structure Of The Guidebook
Each walk is a circuit, beginning and ending at the same point, usually a car park or a lay-by large enough to offer parking space. Parking is a constant problem in the national park, so please park legally and courteously. Coordinates are provided for you to navigate to the start of each walk, along with a detailed map, clear directions, swimming and dipping spots and points of interest. Distance is measured in kilometres and metres. Each route includes estimated walking times, difficulty levels and amenities, allowing you to tailor your adventure to suit your needs. Please ensure you read each walk chapter fully before embarking on your adventure so you understand the context of the grading; some walks require a degree of navigational expertise, some feature technical scrambling. Straightforward walks are included, but, sadly, the Peak District does not feature any wild swimming spots with practical access for wheelchair users; we tried to seek out and include such spots, but we were advised to accept that it just isn’t possible.
All walks are accompanied by photographs to help guide and inspire you. We also provide safety tips and guidelines for wild swimming, a comprehensive code of conduct and notes on wildlife and conservation, so you can enjoy this activity responsibly and sustainably.
Contents
Dovestone Reservoir & Greenfield Waterfall
Withens Brook
Black Cloughs
Slippery Stones
Fairbrook
Mermaid’s Pool & Kinder Downfall
Blackden Brook Waterfall
Dark Peak Two
Reservoir Walk
Alport Castles
Rivelin Valley
Redmires & Wyming Brook
Bamford Edge & Stepping Stones
Hope Valley
Hathersage Stepping Stones
Waterfall Swallet & Bretton Clough
Grindleford Derwent & Padley Gorge
Froggatt Edge & Bridges
White Edge
Chatsworth
Monsal Head
Youlgreave & Lathkill Dale
Matlock Swoosh
Lumsdale Falls & Matlock
Dove Dale & Ilam Rock
Pike Pool
Blake Mere & Ramshaw Rocks
Three Shires Head
Packhorse Bridge & The Goyt Valley
