18 Peak District river walks: our top picks

6. Beeley and Hill Bank Plantation – 2.7km

Beeley and Hill Bank Plantation walk guide
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Commonly referred to as Beeley Woods, Beeley and Hill Bank Plantation is a lovely place for a Peak District family walk. Forming part of the Chatsworth Estate, footpaths criss-cross through the woodland and a brook rushes down little waterfalls. We particularly enjoy it on a rainy day as the trees provide some shelter, and the sound of the rain on the tree tops is beautiful.

This is a short 2.7km walk around the Beeley and Hill Bank Plantation, but allow for a good few hours as the kids will love paddling in the stream and playing in the woods. Wellies during the winter months are a good idea, rather than hiking boots, so they can paddle.

7. River Derwent walk from Curbar to Froggatt – 4km

River Derwent walk guide from Curbar to Froggatt
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This easy-going and flat River Derwent walk begins by the The Bridge Inn, Curbar, and leads along one side of the river to Frogatt Bridge, returning on the other side of the river, following a clockwise loop. It’s a very pretty walk; on a clear day the imposing boulders along Curbar and Frogatt Edges are in view, and in spring the river banks are covered in daffodils and wild garlic. Half way is Calver Weir, a Grade 2 listed structure, built in the 19th century to provide water to power cotton spinning at Calver Mill.

As of 16th March 2025, The Bridge Inn has sadly ceased trading. We are hoping that it will reopen under new management and will update you as soon as we have news.

You can shorten this walk by just doing the loop from Curbar to the A625 road crossing, just after the weir. This is a 2.4km loop.

Unfortunately, despite the even, flat footpaths, this River Derwent walk is not pram friendly. There are very narrow gates to pass through, and a steep stone steps at one of the bridges. Instead, take little ones in a carrier. Click here to check out our pram friendly walks.

8. Hartington to Beresford Dale – 4.3km

Hartington walk guide
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Starting from the Hartington Farm Shop and Café (one of the best cafes for a hot chocolate in the Peak District) this short and picturesque Hartington walk leads you down to Beresford Dale where the River Dove meanders through. Make sure you pack a torch, as half way along this walk there is a cave to explore, which includes a short walk through tunnel! You may even find some ‘Ice Age cave paintings’ (which is what our 6 year old called them). Although do note that the tunnel through is very narrow and really only for small children.

9. Hathersage Stepping Stones – 5.3km

Hathersage Stepping Stones walk here
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A much quieter alternative to Dovedale Stepping Stones, is Hathersage Stepping Stones.

This almost-5km circular Peak District family walk from Hathersage is easy and relatively flat. It mostly follows the footpaths along the River Derwent, through shady trees backed by open fields. The stepping stone themselves are a little trickier than the Dovedale ones, so take care if you’re unsteady on your feet; kids under 5 will need a helping hand as their legs aren’t quite long enough to reach across to each stone.

It’s a very pretty walk, and the reward at the end is a hot chocolate in one of Hathersage’s cafes!

10. Over Haddon to Lathkill Dale – 5km

Over Haddon walk guide
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Lathkill Dale is arguably one of the prettiest dales in the Peak District. Considering the heavily industrialised lead mining history of this dale in the nineteenth century, it’s remarkable to see how Mother Nature has healed the scars and restored it to such beauty.

This Lathkill Dale walk starts from the picturesque village of Over Haddon and leads you gently downhill across open meadows to explore the dale further downstream, crossing a packhorse bridge (Coalpit Bridge) and a medieval sheepwash bridge (Conksbury Bridge). This walk then follows the River Lathkill upstream along weirs that the Victorians built for trout fishing, and then leads back up into the village of Over Hadon.

Please note that Lathkill Dale is a SSSI and there are Natural England signs along the river asking you not to go in to the water for a paddle.

11. Chee Dale – 5km

Chee Dale walk guide
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Sheltered beneath the Monsal Trail, is the peaceful nature reserve of Chee Dale where the River Wye meanders through a deep limestone gorge, and two sets of stepping stones provide access to walkers through the dale.

Our Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk starts from Millers Dale and leads you down into the verdant gorge where you need to navigate stepping stones along the limestone walls, before climbing back up to the Monsal Trail and walking through the long tunnels.

In heavy rain, the Chee Dale Stepping Stones are often submerged in water, so plan this walk for when the weather has been dry and perhaps check in our Facebook group for an update. Also, the footpath along the river is rocky and very uneven in places (with a couple of spots where you may need to slide on your bum), so those with little ones in a carrier may find it tricky in places.

12. Lathkill Dale from Monyash – 6.6km

Lathkill Dale walk guide from Monyash
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Lathkill Dale is one of the prettiest dales in the Peak District National Park. This circular walk takes you to the the cave where the River Lathkill emerges (feel the cold air seeping from underground) and along the river to a waterfall. It then leads back along the top of the dales across a series of open pastures connected by stone stiles.

This Lathkill Dale walk is a moderately difficult Peak District family walk aimed at kids aged 6+. If you want a shorter version, you could just walk down to the cave (the start of the River Lathkill) and back, which is 3km return.

13. Three Shires Head – 6.2km

Three Shires Head walk guide
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Three Shires Head is where the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire meet at a waterfall and collection of pools on the River Dane. It’s a stunning spot and one of our favourite Peak District wild swimming locations.

Even on a cloudy day it’s perfect for a picnic and paddle; our boys spend ages walking over the boulders and dipping their toes into the icy cold waters. The waterfalls mark exactly half way around this Three Shires walk, so it makes for a perfect lunch stop.

14. Wetton Mill – 4.4km (pram friendly)

Wetton Mill walk guide
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Our circular walk from Wetton Mill in the Manifold Valley is easy going and flat with a cave to explore at the end. The route has well-surfaced tracks and roads making it perfect for a Peak District pram friendly walk.

The walk starts by crossing the bridge to Wetton Mill and following the track alongside the River Manifold. The second half follows the road on the opposite side of the river back to where you started along the Manifold Way, passing through a tunnel along the way.

Finish off your walk with a short climb up to Nan Tor cave located up on the hill behind Wetton Mill Tea Rooms. If you visit in the wetter months, the kids will love playing in the shallow river. In the drier months the river disappears underground and re-emerges from a boil hole at Ilam (the boil holes can be seen on our pram friendly Ilam Park walk).

15. Cressbrook Mill to Litton Mill – 5.5km (pram friendly)

Cressbrook Mill to Litton Mill walk guide
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This pram friendly Peak District walk starts at Cressbrook Mill and follows the winding River Wye through the valley to Litton Mill and back along the Monsal Trail. The first half takes you through the steep-sided dale of Water-cum-Jolly with its impressive limestone crags. Whilst the second half loops you back along the trail overlooking the breathtaking valley and river you’ve just walked along. There’s also a couple of tunnels to walk through which the kids always love.

Please note, this is one of our trickier pram-friendly walks. During and after wet weather, the footpath along the river can be very muddy. There are also two small sets of steps leading to an uphill and slightly rocky path to the Monsal Trail. It’s doable, just be prepared.

16. Snake Woodlands – 2.3km

Snake Woodlands walk guide
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Snake Pass is one of the most spectacular roads in England offering expansive moorland views. But tucked half way along this route between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir is a fairytale-like forest with a babbling brook, mossy stumps, and a beautiful waterfall to explore. This is Snake Woodlands, which hugs the banks of the River Ashop.

The short circular Snake Woodlands walk is a magical place for young kids to explore. Take a picnic and enjoy the serenity of this special place. Wellies may also be a good idea for the kids if they want to play in the river.

17. Bakewell to Haddon Hall – 8.4km

Bakewell to Haddon Hall walk guide
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A picturesque circular walk from the historic market town of Bakewell along the River Wye to the grand Haddon Hall estate, returning via open farmland and through Bakewell cemetery. Despite the town being a tourist hotspot, this circular Bakewell to Haddon Hall walk leads you away from the hustle and bustle, along quiet footpaths.

Kids will enjoy paddling and playing around the streams and river, and the views towards Haddon Hall as you climb up towards Over Haddon are very pretty.

Haddon Hall is a fortified medieval manor house dating from the 12th century, and is the home of Lord and Lady Edward Manners whose family have owned it since 1567. If you would like to go into Haddon Hall and have a look around, you need to purchase a ticket (visit the Haddon Hall website). Children under 16 are free, but adult tickets are £23.90. There’s a 30% discount for Derbyshire residents.

There’s also a trig to bag on this walk – Noton Barn Farm trigpoint. However, it is on private land and you need the landowners permission to access it. But you can (just about) touch it from the other side of the wall (be careful of the double-barbed wire); we just use a stick to bag this trig.

18. Milldale to to Ilam Rock (linear, 4.5km)

Milldale to to Ilam Rock walk guide
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Dovedale is a very popular destination for walkers and most make a beeline for Dovedale Stepping Stones. But further up the valley lies the sleepy hamlet of Milldale where this classic Peak District river walk begins.

Following the the River Dove closely along the Dovedale Valley this linear routes leads you past the impressive caves at Dove Dale and onto Ilam Rock, a 25-metre tall limestone pinnacle. Kids will especially love exploring the huge caves at Dove Dale and it’s worth bringing a torch along for their adventures.

This has to be one of the prettiest pram-friendly Peak District walks. However, there are a few cobbly/rocky sections to navigate and some muscle is required. Most of the footpath is relatively even, but an all-terrain buggy is advised.

This is also a great walk in the wetter months when you want to avoid muddy footpaths.