The northern Peak District is brilliant for a road trip. There’s loads to see, but the best stops are close enough that you can fit a few into one day. The area traditionally known as the Dark Peak is a favourite of mine for its open moorland, winding roads and proper hikes. You could walk up Mam Tor in the morning, drive through Winnats Pass in the afternoon and end the day in a Castleton pub.
Growing up in Staffordshire, I was lucky to have the Peaks on my doorstep. I’ve been visiting since I was a kid, and I can still get there in around 45 minutes. Even now, I’m always finding a new walk, a different view or somewhere I’ve somehow missed.
These are the 10 northern Peak District spots I keep coming back to, along with the places I wouldn’t miss on a first visit.
Incredible views in the Peak District
Castleton & Peak Cavern
Start your road trip in Castleton, a proper Peak District village with some brilliant walks on its doorstep. Have a wander, pick up something from a bakery and grab a coffee before heading out. It’s been around since at least the Domesday Book, and its show caves are a big part of the appeal.
Peak Cavern is my favourite, partly because it’s also called The Devil’s Arse, which still makes me laugh. It has the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles, where rope-makers once made rope for the local lead mines. The guided tour takes you underground and brings that history to life. Take a coat and wear decent shoes: it’s cold down there, and the ground can be uneven.
Peak Cavern
Peveril Castle
While you’re in Castleton, head up to Peveril Castle. The ruins sit on a rocky hill above the village, with steep drops into Cave Dale and Peak Cavern Gorge. It’s easy to see why William Peveril chose the spot for a castle nearly 1,000 years ago.
It’s a short but steep climb from the village, and you don’t need long to look around. For me, the views are the best bit: you can look down into Cave Dale and right across the Hope Valley.
North Peveril Castle
Winnats Pass
Just west of Castleton, Winnats Pass is one of my favourite drives in the Peak District. The road winds between steep limestone ridges, then opens up as you head down towards the Hope Valley. It’s a short drive, but one you’ll want to take slowly, partly to enjoy the views, and partly because the road is narrow and steep. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes aren't allowed through. If you’ve got time to explore on foot, the views looking down into the pass are brilliant too.
At the bottom, you’ll find Speedwell Cavern, an old lead mine you can explore by boat. The tour takes you through the mined tunnels to the Bottomless Pit, a huge underground lake around 200 metres beneath the hillside. It’s a good stop if you fancy seeing a completely different side of the Peaks.
Winnats Pass
Mam Tor
Mam Tor, or Mother Hill, is one of my favourite places in the whole Peak District. At 517 metres high, it sits above Castleton and the Hope Valley, and it’s one of those walks that gives you a lot back for the effort you put in. From Mam Nick car park, it’s a short walk to the summit; from Castleton, it’s a longer climb.
From the summit, you can look across the Hope Valley and along the Great Ridge. You’re also standing within the remains of an ancient hillfort, where people were living as far back as around 1200 BC. I love that you can come up here for the views and find yourself walking through that much history too.
Join Rob on a behind-the-scenes North Peak District road trip scouting mission!
Kinder Scout & waterfall
Kinder Scout is one of my favourite hikes in the Peak District and I’ve done it a fair few times now. At 636 metres, it’s the highest point in the park, with a huge moorland plateau, big skies and views that make the climb more than worth it. It’s a proper hike, though, so come prepared for a good few hours on the hills.
One popular route starts in Edale and heads up via the Pennine Way and Jacob’s Ladder, an old packhorse route that takes you onto the plateau. Circular walks vary, but many are around 8–10 miles and take at least four hours. It’s steep and rocky in places and can get boggy up top, so wear decent walking boots and pack a few layers.
Once you’re up on the plateau, make sure you find Kinder Downfall. At around 30 metres high, it’s the tallest waterfall in the Peak District, spilling over the western edge of Kinder Scout. Beautiful!
North Kinder Scout
Bamford Edge Circular
It’s only a short drive from Castleton to Bamford, and there aren’t many better viewpoints in the Peak District than Bamford Edge. This is where I first fell head over heels for the Peaks.
It’s a gritstone crag overlooking the Hope Valley and, if you manage to get one of the limited lay-by spaces nearby, it’s only around a 15-minute climb to the top. The view is hard to beat for such a short walk. If you fancy making more of it, there are longer circular routes you can follow instead. From the edge, you can look right across the Hope Valley and out over Ladybower Reservoir. On a clear day, you can even pick out Mam Tor in the distance.
Bamford Edge
Ladybower Reservoir
The northern Peak District is home to some seriously beautiful reservoirs, and Ladybower is probably the one most people have heard of. It’s a huge Y-shaped reservoir surrounded by woodland and hills, with plenty of walks nearby. You can keep it simple with a gentle wander by the water, or make more of a day of it on one of the longer trails in the valley.
The main thing everyone comes to see, though, is the famous plugholes. They’re technically called shaft spillways, they take away excess water when the reservoir is full. If you catch them overflowing after a decent spell of wet weather, they're incredible to watch.
Lady Bower Reservoir
Upper Derwent Valley: reservoir and dam
From Ladybower, carry on deeper into the Upper Derwent Valley towards Derwent Reservoir and Dam. The road winds through woodland and alongside the water, and it’s especially good in autumn when the trees start to turn golden, and on a still day, reflect in the reservoir.
There’s some real history here too. During the Second World War, the RAF's 617 Squadron used Derwent Reservoir to practise low-level flying before the famous Dambusters Raid. Standing beneath the dam’s huge stone towers, it’s mad to think Lancaster bombers once flew low over this stretch of water while preparing for the mission.
Upper Derwent Valley
Snake Pass
Running between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir on the A57, Snake Pass is one of those roads that shows just how wild the northern Peak District can feel. It crosses high, open moorland, with hills stretching away on either side, and at its highest point, it feels like you’re miles from anywhere.
In good conditions, it’s a brilliant drive, but the bends, exposed stretches and changeable weather mean you need to stay focused on the road. Check for closures before you set off, especially in winter.
Snake Pass
Holmfirth
Holmfirth is one of those little Yorkshire towns that’s easy to fall in love with. Tucked into the Holme Valley, it’s got stone cottages, cobbled streets, dry-stone walls and loads of beautiful countryside right on its doorstep. It’s a great place to slow things down for a few hours: have a wander around the independent shops, grab some food, find a cosy pub, or head out into the surrounding hills for a walk.
Most people know it as the setting for Last of the Summer Wine, which was filmed here for decades and became the world’s longest-running sitcom. There’s an exhibition in town with props and memorabilia from the show, but Holmfirth has plenty going for it beyond that. The Picturedrome puts on live music, comedy and films, and Holmfirth Vineyard is a great shout if you fancy a wine tasting with brilliant views across the valley.
If you’re planning your own Peak District road trip, have a look at my Peak District Road Trip guidebook. It’s packed with the best places to visit, scenic drives, walks, viewpoints, campsites and all the practical bits to help you plan a really good trip around the national park.