Whether you are looking for walks, dog walks or runs there is plenty to do from the door of Croft Bungalow without ever having to get the car out. However there is a lot of walking and country days out here in the Peak District national park – so whether you are looking for flat wheelchair friendly paths, beautiful country walks across the fields or the tough stuff up on Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, the Peak District has it all. We are lucky to be between Stanton Moor and Cratcliffe/Robin Hood Stride. We are also within easy driving distance of several amazing wheelchair accessible walks.
Stanton Moor
From our door step there are walks between 1 and 3 hours up to Stanton moor and the Nine Ladies – a Bronze age stone circle thought to be 3000-4000 years old. Read more about the History of the Nine Ladies From Croft Bungalow either turn left down the village and then head up the track opposite the Druid to the carpark at the top, turn left on the road for 150 metres until you see the footpath heading off on the right, and then follow the track to the moor – OR – turn right from Croft bungalow and follow the road up the hill until you see the footpath on the right (150metres past the carpark on the left). There are multiple tracks and paths across the moor. (to get to the 9 Ladies from where you leave the road is approximately a 30 minute walk over rough irregular stony tracks) This walk – and other nearby short walks – are in an information book in Croft Bungalow for our guests.
Robin Hood and Cratcliffe
Robin Hood Stride and Cratcliffe are two rocky outcrops on the other side of the valley from Birchover. Its a 3 mile round trip to walk to this beauty spot. The walk is over tracks, rocky (sometimes very muddy) footpaths and then up a farm track to this beautiful icon place. Local legend has it that Robin Hood strode between the two natural towers – and hence gave it its name. He must had had on heck of a stride.! Robin Hood Stride was featured in the 1987 film ‘Princess Bride’. Read about Robin Hood Stride here. We will provide guests with a map to show them how to get to Robin Hood stride.
Wheelchair accessible paths and tracks in the Peak District
Carsington Water (see the Carsington water website for up to date information) has an accessible visitor centre and a hard standing track round some of the reservoir that is suitable for power scooters and wheelchairs.
Monsal trail (up to date information on the Peak District website) is an old railway line now used as a recreational trail. Its crushed limestone surface is hard and flat and suitable for powerchairs and wheelchairs. Get on either at Hassop station (where there is an excellent cafe and gift shop) or Bakewell station. The adventurous can go through the tunnel and come out on the viaduct.
Parsley Hay is on the Tissington trail just 8 miles south of Buxton. Like the Monsal trail , the Tissington trail is the site of an old railway line and is now a recreational path finished with hard crushed limestone. At Parsley Hay there is a cafe and a cycle hire shop. Almost straight from the carpark you are in open countryside with breathtaking views.
Cromford canal footpath is a great add on to a day at Cromford Mill UNESCO world heratage site. There is a changing places toilet there too. For further information about Cromford canal click on the link.
Bradford Dale is a beautiful local dale with a wheelchair accessible track by the river and then a hard path that goes into the dale itself. Bradford dale starts at Alport nr Youlgrave. About a ten minute drive from Croft Bungalow.
Walks/runs within the Peak District National Park
There are countless walks in the Peak District – from Classic well known beauty spots like Dovedale to countless paths between villages (and village pubs) to full on hardcore walking on Kinder, Bleaklow and the many peaks in the dark peak. We are happy to talk to guests and make any recomendations based on their wants, or take a look at some of the links below:
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-walks-in-the-peak-district/