Peak District
Richards Mountain Pages

The Peak District splits quite nicely into two parts. The white peak has the limestone, with its very green fields, and cosy villages; whilst the dark peak has the brooding hills oozing with trecherous peat bogs. It also has smoothly eroded gritstone outcrops, which are great for clambering on.

The highest point of the region is somewhere in the triangular sea of goo that goes by the name of Kinder Scout. Don't even think of venturing in there without a compass, and on wetter days a swimming cossie.

The Dark Peak continues down the east and west flanks of the White Peak, providing interesting outcrops to play with in both areas. Those to the West are known as the Roaches. Their main ridge and to a lesser extent the outlying peaks of The Cloud, and Hen Cloud are good for climbing and bouldering. Much of the gentler Eastern slope of The Roaches is wooded. Somewhere amongst this woodland the secluded gorge of Ludds Church (picture left) can be found. Its steep rock walls are far too slippery for climbing, but the path through it is well worth the walk.

Surrounded by the gritstone of the Dark Peak, lies a pleasant limestone ridge connecting Mam Tor and Lose Hill with a few other hills. The view below was taken from the rocky outcrop part way along. The village of Castleton (just South of these hills) is well worth a visit, for its imposing castle (now a ruin). Nearby a collapsed limestone cave forms the impressive Winnats pass (seen from above, above right).

Further South still (beyond Buxton) lies another area of interesting White Peak Hills. I've yet to visit the area around Chrome Hill, but pictures I've seen show it to be full of promise.


Geology
The White Peak to the South and Centre of the region is made of limestone. To the North and around the Eastern and Western edges, the rock suddenly changes to much tougher gritstone, effectively marking a border between lowland Southern England and the more rugged uplands of the North. The change of rock type can be seen quite clearly in the vegetation, which changes from a closely cropped lush green in the limestone fields to a more rugged rough pasture over the gritstone. The photo below shows the abrupt transition at Millstone Edge.

Settlements
The Peak District is a short way from several major cities. I won't describe them as few will want to stay in a city, when there are much nicer places to stay.

• Buxton - the main town in the White Peak, has the charm of an old spa town, that has seen better times.
• Bakewell - busy village famed for the Bakewell Pudding.
• Matlock - small town in a deep valley, clinging to the hillsides around it.
• Castleton - popular tourist village, with an imposing castle ruin
• Edale - cosy little village with a nice pub marking the Southern end of the Pennine Way. The hostel is a fair walk away across pleasant farmland.

Transport
I don't have the full details of transport for this region, but there are rail termini at Matlock (from Derby), and Buxton (from Manchester). The slower service on the sheffield / Manchester trans-Pennine service stops at Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.
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