As one of the most beloved natural spaces in England, the Peak District is a massively popular area for hikers, climbers, wild swimmers, and more. However, getting out in the rural English countryside usually requires a car, making it inaccessible for a lot of us.
That’s not the case with the Peak District. With major cities like Sheffield being in the Peak District and Manchester sitting on the edge of the national park, getting to key hiking and climbing locations by public transport is absolutely possible. Here’s how.
Popular Peak District Spots By Train
One of the quickest and most efficient ways to get to the Peak District by public transport is by taking the train. The main route goes between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield. It runs every two hours and is operated by Northern Rail, so you can buy tickets on Omio before you travel.
Along the way, this train stops at these Peak District locations:
- Chinley [CLY]
- Edale [EDL]
- Hope (Derbyshire) [HOP]
- Bamford [BAM]
- Hathersage [HSG]
- Grindleford [GRN]
On this route, the most popular spots are Edale, Hope, and Hathersage. All of these places are beautiful, but my personal favourite has to be Edale.
Once you arrive at Edale, you walk around 10-15 minutes into the village where you’ll see The Nag’s Head pub. Opposite, you’ll be faced with the start of the mighty Pennine Way. This ancient Roman route goes all the way to the Scottish Borders if you want a long-distance, multi-day trail.
However, for day trips, you can take on Jacob’s Ladder or head to Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. You can easily make this a circular route back to Edale where you can enjoy a pint and a warming meal in the pub before wandering back to the station.
Popular Peak District Spots By Bus
If you’re more local to the Peak District or want to get away from the crowds of the Hope Valley, traveling by bus is a slower way to travel.
The bus is especially good for getting around the Derbyshire and Staffordshire parts of the Peak District, as many of the key towns and villages don’t have working train stations anymore.
Some of the major Peak District towns with decent bus connections include:
- Bakewell
- Leek
- Matlock
- Buxton
- Castleton
Of course, if you’re starting in Derby or Sheffield, this is the easiest jumping-off point for the buses. You can also get a Wayfarer Pass for traveling around Derbyshire’s bus network, which can make it a lot easier if you’re staying for the weekend or enjoying point-to-point hikes.
Tips for Using Public Transport in the Peak District
Rural public transport isn’t quite as reliable and convenient as inner-city services, so here are some things to note about using public transport in the Peak District.
Don’t rely on the last bus or train
This is a good rule of thumb anywhere in the UK, but it goes twice as hard for the Peak District. Getting accommodation or taxis out here can be difficult and expensive at short notice if you miss the last bus or train, or if they get cancelled, which is common for the UK train system at the moment. Go for the penultimate bus or train and give yourself the buffer just in case.
Have cash for the buses
While most buses allow card and contactless payment, some still don’t on the rural routes. It can also be difficult to get a phone signal to pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone, so make sure you have multiple ways to pay so you don’t get stranded.
Avoid the peak times
Again, this is a good tip for any kind of public transport around the world, but avoiding peak-time travel is always ideal. The train prices always go up during rush hour and they tend to be very busy. The buses will have a mix of people going to work and people going to school, so there won’t be a ton of room on them either. If the buses are full, they will just drive straight past your stop.
Check the seasonal timetables
The Peak District train and bus routes are prone to change depending on the season. This usually means that the last train and bus will change times or the gaps between trains will alter to be longer or shorter. In summer, you’re likely to find better options for day trips, but the trails will also be a lot busier. Check your timetables the night before to make sure you have the right times and that the routes aren’t affected by roadworks or cancellations.
Keep gear to a minimum
If you’re doing a multi-day hike, bouldering with pads, or bringing a bike with you, make sure you pick an off-peak train. The buses aren’t very large and don’t have a lot of room for gear. Similarly, the trains get busy on these more rural, stopping routes, so having a ton of gear taking up space might rub people the wrong way, or cause issues onboard.
Check the space for bikes in advance
In a similar vein, if you want to cycle around the Peak District’s many cycle routes, you need to check your train before you travel. Not all trains have space for bikes so you can find out on National Rail beforehand to see if there is a space available. If you’re traveling with a bike, book your ticket early so that you can guarantee a spot for your bike.
