6 Dog-Friendly Walks in the Peak District

The Peak District is home to a whole host of walking opportunities for you to explore, but if you are looking to take your canine companion along with you, then our 6 dog-friendly walks in the Peak District are sure to inspire you.

The Peak District National Park has a superb selection of walks, ranging from easy walks, to pub walks and of course dog-friendly walks. This part of Derbyshire promises rolling hills, heather moorlands, and woodland areas, together making one of our top 10 dog-friendly destinations in the UK.

Read on to discover 6 dog-friendly walks in the Peak District…

1. Mam Tor Circular Walk

Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Mam Nick car park, S33 8WA

This short, dog-friendly walk in the Peak District offers you an insight into the area’s history and rewards you with the most dramatic viewpoints in the National Park.

The walk begins at Mam Nick car park, from here, follow the steps up and continue along the roadside before passing through a gate and a National Trust sign.

Veer left to the stone steps that lead to the summit of Mam Tor; be sure to take in the views from the trig point before you notice the summit getting noticeably steeper.

Take the path to the right towards Mam Tor, which will take you through a wooded section and continue up the broken road.

To finish, this Derbyshire dog walk turns left down the track to Blue John Cavern. From the cave, cross the field and walk along the road back to the car park.

2. Monsal Trail

Distance: 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate 
Starting Point: Miller’s Dale Viaduct car park, SK17 8SN

This traffic-free route is a superb dog-friendly walk in the Peak District, taking you and your canine companion through picturesque limestone dales, shady wooded valleys, and rushing rivers.

Begin the Derbyshire walk with your dog at Miller’s Dale Viaduct car park and follow the trail east through Miller’s Dale, where you can capture pretty views of the River Wye.

From here, you will turn south to pass through the endearing woodland of Monsal Dale before following the country lanes to Taddington.

Whilst in Taddington, take some time to explore the village’s 14th-century church, or whilst walking along the moor, be sure to visit the Five Wells chambered tomb.

From here, the route takes you along Long Lane and past Priestcliffe before you return to Miller’s Dale.

The Monsal Trail is a great route for you and your dogs to explore the delights of the Peak District.

3. Chatsworth House to Edensor

Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Calton Lees car park, DE4 2NX

Dogs are welcome to roam throughout the garden and park of the magnificent Chatsworth House, which is the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and is often referred to as the Palace of the Peak.

After leaving the car park, head through the gate at the right-hand corner and turn to follow the park wall.

Once you reach a gate, across the parkland and follow the path towards to church spire. Keeping the church to your left, you will eventually come to an iron gate and some steps.

After passing the steps, you will find the picturesque village of Edensor. Find the village green and cross through the blue gates to join the path that leads you to Chatsworth House.

Walk your canine companions across the road and follow the banks of the river to the right. At the ruined mill, turn right up the hill to the gate, which takes you back to the car park.

This dog walk in Derbyshire promises to be a day out with a difference.

4. Jacob’s Ladder to Kinder Scout

Distance: 8.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Edale Village Hall Car Park, S33 7ZQ

This Peak District dog walk is a circular walk, which will offer you plenty of variety, including challenging inclines, crossing streams, scrambling, and enjoying breath-taking scenery along the way.

Start the walk from the village hall car park and head north up the main road. As you walk up this road, you will spot the delightful Rambler Inn and the Edale Church.

From the Old Nags Head pub, you will walk a small section of the Pennine Way. Keep on this path, leading off to the left, taking you towards Upper Booth.

After following this path for some time, go through the gate and follow the road until you reach a signpost for Jacob’s Ladder.

From here, you will cross Crowden Brook and follow a path to Lee Farm, from which Jacob’s Ladder is a small walk. Just before you start climbing the steps, be sure to take a break and soak up the surroundings.

The steps up Jacob’s Ladder can be tiring, but the wide steps accommodate any walkers or pooch that may need a rest.

Once you have found the pile of stones, take the path heading to the right, which will take you to Edale Rocks, which provides a picturesque spot for a picnic.

From here take the path leading to the left leading to Noe Stool, which is one large lone rock that is hard to miss.

The path from here will take you through some endearing woodland, which is paved for the rest of the dog-friendly walk before you cross over a wooden bridge and find yourself back at The Old Nags Head pub.

5. Hathersage to Stanage Edge

Distance: 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Hathersage car park, S32 1DD

Our next dog-friendly walk in the Peak District takes you along the dramatic cliffs of Stanage Edge, where you are promised superb Derwent and Hope Valley, as well as Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

Park up in the quaint village of Hathersage before tackling this 9-mile walk with your canine companions, where you will pass North Lees Hall, a 16th-century property that is thought to have provided the inspiration behind Mr. Rochester’s home in Jane Eyre.

After passing the hall continue on to Stanage Edge itself, which is a gritstone edge that stretches for approximately 4 miles and offers views of Dark Peak moorlands.

Continue the dog-friendly walk by walking along a paved path, which climbs through Stanaqe Plantation before turning left to the cliff.

Proceed left along the road to reach the summit of Higger Tor before descending Callow Bank to a track that traverses the hill slopes to Toothill Farm.

Take the route back to Hathersage and explore the spired church and the Roman fort of Camp Green before returning to the car park.

6. Birchen Edge

Distance: 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Birchen Edge car park, DE45 1PU

The final dog-friendly walk in the Peak District will spoil you will views of the most picturesque vistas in the Derbyshire countryside, and take you through Chatsworth and Dobb Edge.

Make your way along the rocky path, which is situated below Birchen Edge, with Nelson’s Monument found to your right before you wind your way through heather and moorland.

Once you’ve completed this section of moorland, cross the stile and turn right onto ‘Boundary of Open Country’, which is signposted.

The next section of the walk will take you through the Chatsworth Estate before you explore the woodland, sign posted ‘Stand Wood Walk’, and climb 148 steps to the Hunting Tower.

From here, you will be able to admire the views of the iconic ‘Three Ships’, three rocks which are named Victory, Defiant and Royal Sovereign.

Bear left down the hill and make your way back to the car park.

There are many things to love about the Peak District and our 7 easy Peak District walks are just one of the many reasons to visit this part of the UK. If you complete any of our walks, please feel free to share them with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.