Group of hikers from Hiking in London Club smiling on a trail in the Peak District — Members of the Hiking in London Club during a summer adventure in the Peak District National Park.

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Peak District Hike from Edale — Saturday

Q: What happens if the weather is bad?

We walk in the rain, that is what the waterproofs are for. If conditions on the tops are genuinely unsafe, the guide will change the route for a lower-level alternative. You will be told as early as possible.

One train, one very good day out. We are heading to Edale, in the valley below Kinder Scout, for around five hours of walking in Britain's first national park — then a pub, then the train home. Here is everything you need to know before Saturday morning.

The day at a glance

Meeting pointBenches at the main entrance, London Euston

Be there at6:45 am, sharp

Walking timeAbout 5 hours, with breaks

Distance[CONFIRMAR] miles ([CONFIRMAR] km)

Elevation gain[CONFIRMAR] m

DifficultyModerate

TerrainRocky, boggy in places, one sustained climb

DogsWelcome, on a lead at all times

Your day, hour by hour

Saturday timetable

06:45

Meet at London EustonOutside the main entrance, by the benches. Please be early rather than on time — we cannot hold the train.

07:13

Train departs EustonRoughly three and a half hours, with a change on the way. Bring a coffee and a book.

10:32

Arrive at EdaleBoots on, briefing from the guide, and straight out of the station onto the trail.

Midday

Picnic at the top of the valleyThe best view of the day, and the reason to pack a proper lunch rather than a cereal bar.

16:00

Back down into EdaleApproximate. The guide sets the pace to the group.

16:30

The pubA drink and something to eat before the train. Bring cash or a card.

18:47

Train back to LondonInto Euston at about 22:59. A long day, and worth every minute.

Where we are going

Edale is a small village at the head of the Vale of Edale, with the Kinder Scout plateau rising steeply on one side and the Great Ridge on the other. It is one of the most walked-into valleys in England, and for good reason.

It also matters. In 1932, hundreds of walkers from Manchester and Sheffield deliberately trespassed onto Kinder Scout to protest at being shut out of their own moors. Several were jailed. Nineteen years later, in 1951, the Peak District became Britain's first national park — and the right to roam that we use every weekend traces back to that day. You are walking on the ground where public access to the countryside was won.

Kinder Scout

At 636 m, the highest point in the Peak District. A wild peat plateau of gritstone tors, with views into three counties on a clear day.

The Pennine Way

Britain's original long-distance path starts in Edale and runs 268 miles to the Scottish border. We walk its first stretch out of the village.

The Vale of Edale

Stone farmsteads, dry stone walls and the Great Ridge running the length of the valley. This is the view you will be eating your sandwich in front of.

What to bring

Footwear — the one thing to get right

Waterproof walking boots with ankle support. Not trainers. The paths are rocky, the moorland holds water even after a dry week, and the flagstone sections are slippery when wet.

Walking poles are a real help on the steep descent if you have them.

Clothing

Layers rather than one thick coat, so you can adjust as you climb
Waterproof jacket and overtrousers — bring them even if the forecast is good
Hat and gloves. It is consistently colder and windier on the plateau than in the valley
A spare warm layer and dry socks in the bottom of your pack
Sun cream and sunglasses. Open moorland offers no shade at all

Food and water

At least 2 litres of water. There is nowhere to refill once we leave the village.

A proper packed lunch for the halfway stop, plus snacks you can eat on the move. Something salty for the climb and something sweet for the last hour is the classic combination.

In your pack

A rucksack big enough for water, lunch, spare layers and waterproofs
Phone, fully charged, plus a power bank — cold drains a battery fast
Cash or card for the pub
Any personal medication, in your pack rather than your pocket
A small bag for your rubbish. Everything comes back down with us

Important safety note

Your guide is first-aid trained and carries a kit. Please stay with the group, particularly if you stop for photographs — the moorland paths branch often and the cloud can come down within minutes. If you need to stop, tell the guide rather than the person next to you.

Hill weather changes fast and is always harsher than in the valley: assume it will be several degrees colder and considerably windier at the top. Phone signal in the valley and on the plateau is patchy, so do not rely on it. If a medical condition or medication could affect your ability to walk safely, please let the guide know in confidence before we set off.

Good to know

Book your train ticket in advance. Walk-up fares on the day cost considerably more than an advance single.
Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times. There is grazing livestock and ground-nesting birds on the moor.
Toilets are available at Edale station and in the village. There are none on the route.
We keep a steady pace with regular breaks. Nobody is left behind and nobody is rushed.
Cancellations are refundable up to 72 hours before the event, minus a £5 admin fee.

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be?

You need to be comfortable walking for about five hours on uneven ground, with one sustained climb out of the valley. If you manage our moderate day walks in the South East, you will manage this.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We walk in the rain — that is what the waterproofs are for. If conditions on the tops are genuinely unsafe, the guide will change the route for a lower-level alternative. You will be told as early as possible.

Is lunch or the pub included?

No. Bring your own packed lunch and water, and cash or a card for the pub afterwards.

What if I cannot keep up?

Tell the guide early. We set the pace to the group, take regular breaks, and there are shorter options back down into the valley if anyone needs one.

Can I meet you at Edale instead of Euston?

Yes, if you are travelling from elsewhere. Let us know in advance so the guide knows to expect you at the station at 10:32.

Do I need to be a member?

No, our walks are open to everyone. Members get priority booking and member pricing on trips like this one.

See you Saturday at 6:45

Boots by the door, lunch in the pack, alarm set twice. Spaces on this one go quickly.

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Train times are correct at the time of writing. Please check your service on the day, as engineering works can change weekend timetables.