Edale Skyline Challenge
Take on the classic High Peak long-distance circuit with a group and guide - a brilliant 22-mile challenge through seriously stunning Peak District scenery.
Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 22 miles (35.4km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 10-12 hours
Level: Tough (Walking) - see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Take on the classic Edale Skyline High Peak circuit!
At 22 miles, the Edale Skyline is certainly no walk in the park. It’s an enticing, tough but do-able challenge through glorious Peaks scenery that’s a great introduction to long-distance walking and great fun for experienced walks too. You’ll walk with a lovely Large Outdoors guide taking care of navigation and a sociable group of fellow challengers. As well as a challenge from the distance covered, this route has 1,252m (4,108ft) of ascent - so those legs will get an extra workout with all the ups and downs.
The famous High Peak circuit is fantastic in many ways: an ideal length for a great day out, super-photogenic scenery, and lots of geological and historical interest - it’s no wonder it’s such a bucket-list challenge for many. There are Roman roads, gritstone edges, fascinating rock formations, followed by a climb with the reward of striding along one of Britain’s most picturesque ridges!
Brown Knoll on the Edale Skyline Challenge walk.
Suggested Itinerary
We’ll start bright and early to bag this big one, congregating at 7:30am in the village of Hope. You’ll meet your Large Outdoors guide and fellow participants, before setting off for a great day of walking.
From Hope, we hike via Win Hill Pike to Kinder Scout’s precipitous gritstone edges - natural wonders that will leave you staring in awe as we head west with views of Edale and the huge expanse of moorland plateau. Soon we reach the Woolpacks (no, not the famous pub from Emmerdale) but a group of fascinating gritstone formations that would give a Henry Moore sculpture a run for its money.
We then briefly join the Pennine Way as we round the horseshoe towards Mam Tor’s iron age settlement with plenty of stonking views along the way that will help eat up those miles. Finally, we traverse the Peak District’s finest ridge to Lose Hill before descending from the High Peak into the warm embrace of Hope, no doubt with the group discussing who’s planning a celebratory drink and/or meal that evening!
Most groups complete this walk in 10-12 hours.
Good to Know
-
Meeting Time: 7:30am (to start walking at 7:45am).
Meeting Location:
(Outside of the) Grasshopper Cafe
18 Castleton Road
Hope
Hope Valley
Peak District
S33 6RDPlease note that the cafe will be closed at our meeting time.
what3words///gratuity.recur.shocks
Parking: There is parking available across the road from the meeting location at High Peak Borough Council Car Park, Hope, Derbyshire, S33 6RD. Per vehicle charge of £7 applies (cash or PayByPhone app).
Public Transport: Hope Train Station is located 0.6 miles from the meeting location and has services to/from Sheffield and Manchester, but the early start and timetables generally require an overnight stay.
-
Included:
A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your Edale Skyline Challenge.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
-
Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
-
• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is rated as Tough (Walking) and you certainly need to be capable of managing ascent and descent. You’ll be walking around 22 miles (35.4km) on the day, so ensure your training walks are an appropriate length and don’t forget to include some hills! Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.• Is there a time limit? We generally allow up to 12 hours to complete the walk, which is adequate for the majority of participants. Our guides do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. Most groups complete this walk in 10-12 hours.
• Can I buy food/drink on the walk? There are no stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food.
• Is there a toilet? There are public toilets in Hope (at the start/finish) but these are independently operated, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.
• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.• What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide any transport for this experience.• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
