Peak District Walking Weekend - Castleton
Enjoy a relaxing walking weekend getaway in the Peak District, including all meals, accommodation and two days of Active walks throughout the Peak District.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 12 (but up to 20 sharing the accommodation)
Level: Active
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Enjoy a respite from the busy norm of life by relaxing in the surroundings of Castleton, a pretty Peak District National Park village in the Hope Valley.
Get in your stride with our group walks in the company of expert guides.
Tuck into dinner in the company of like-minded people, enjoying the comfy social areas of the pretty Mews building and surrounded by parkland.
Discover a walker’s paradise in the Peak District!
Join Large Outdoors for a welcoming walking weekend in the picturesque village of Castleton, nestled in the heart of the Peak District. This getaway is perfect for making new friends and exploring the stunning natural scenery. Our walks will take you to the iconic Mam Tor, through the rugged beauty of Cave Dale, and possibly to the vast expanses of Kinder Scout or Stannage Edge.
Our friendly hosts are here to ensure your weekend is relaxing and enjoyable. They will guide your walks, share intriguing facts about the local area, and provide wonderful hospitality back at our cosy accommodation. This is a perfect opportunity to make new friends in a fun and social setting while enjoying the great outdoors. Plus, Castleton is easily accessible, just a short journey from Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds, making it a convenient getaway.
Walking Weekend Itinerary
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Not long after arriving at Castleton (you are welcome any time after 5pm) you’ll find you succumb to its charms. Helped by a good dose of fine fresh air, as you walk towards our base for the weekend - the grand YHA Castleton Losehill Hall. As soon you step through the door of the cobbled Mews building (our section of the accommodation), the Large Outdoors host will be there to greet you and no doubt thrusting a cup of tea in your hand while guiding you towards the rest of the group to make the introductions.
This trip runs alongside another Large Outdoors experience, so there’s also the chance to chat to others who will be looking forward to their own outdoor adventures over the weekend. The lounge area will soon come alive with the sounds of mingling as participants settle in and gravitate towards the comfy seating on offer. Some may also take the opportunity to soak up a bit more fresh air with a walk through the village, and a quick stop-off at one of the pubs before returning for dinner at 8pm, lovingly prepared by us!
After dinner we go through the plans for the weekend ahead, which include setting out the walks and a brief on the weather etc.
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After breakfast, we lay out the ingredients for you to make your own packed lunches – sandwich fillings, fruit, snacks and crisps. With bags packed and boots on, we’ll head out. All the walks are close by but some may require a short drive into the next valley.
To give you an idea, here are some of the walks we might do:
Kinder Scout - Starting from the Vale of Edale, we'll head up to the highest point in the Peak District, Kinder Scout, via the dramatic path up Jacob's Ladder. From here we continue along the edge of the plateau to the waterfall of the Kinder Downfall, before following the path across the heart of the bog to the southern edge. We can walk along the southern edge, before dropping back down into Edale. This will be the longer of the walks on this day, and walkers should expect to be out until at least 4pm.
Mam Tor - This is a great option which can be walked from the door, to the charismatic hill of Mam Tor, which is famous for the Bronze and Iron Age hillforts which once stood on the summit, and for the frequent landslides that fall from its sides. The remains of the abandoned road on its eastern side can be seen easily during the walk up. From the summit, we'll continue along the Great Ridge towards Lose Hill, and there are many places along here we can drop down back into the valley and return to Castleton.
Stanage Edge - Another option for a walk would be to do a loop from the village of Hathersage, including a traverse along the scarp of Stanage Edge, famous as a climbing destination but which includes a good path that alternates between the top and the base of the Edge. Views from here down over the rest of the Peak District are second to none, as it stands apart from the main hills and so gains from an impressive panorama.
Once back at base, there should be an opportunity to freshen up and spend a bit of free-and-easy time - whether that’s simply lounging around with a drink in-hand listening to other participants’ tales of the day’s adventures, or heading out to one of the nearby pubs for a pre-dinner drink. The draw of good food will soon bring the group back together, for the evening meal back at the Mews.
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After breakfast and making up another packed lunch, it’s time to head out for today’s adventure. We’ll tackle another full day of Active walking, which could include:
Derwent Edge - Sitting above the upper reaches of the Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs lies Derwent Edge, another of the Peak's fantastic scarps, crowned on top by brooding gritstone outcrops. This walk will traverse the edge from Ashopton, following the paths up and along the tops and then down to the reservoir-side via Back Tor and Lost Lad. Once we reach the reservoir, we turn back south and walk the paths and tracks along its banks back to Ashopton. This walk benefits from seeing the wild uplands and the forested lowlands, and admiring the enormous engineering feat of the reservoirs.
Win Hill - Similar to above we could head up to Win Hill, at the southern edge of the Ladybower Reservoir, before heading along the ridge of Hope Brink and dropping down to the reservoir in the Woodlands Valley. From here the trail turns back on itself and returns to the start via the waterside track. The chance to walk both on the hillside and in the woods makes this an excellent walk, and you'll finish near the dramatic main dam of the Ladybower.
Sadly, once the walk is over (we’ll be back at the starting point by 5pm), it’s time to say our goodbyes and head home.
Good to Know
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Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Losehill Hall (Mews)
Squires Lane
Hope Valley
S33 8WBAccess Information: The hostel entrance is on the A625 from Sheffield/Hathersage and is at the east end of the village.
From the west, take the A625 from Chapel-en-le-Frith following signs for Castleton Blue John Caverns and turn down the Winnats Pass (very steep). The detour signs from the west can be confusing and add considerably to the journey. Please follow these directions rather than a Satnav as the postcode covers a large area.Parking: There is parking available at the accommodation.
Public Transport: YHA Castleton Losehill Hall is located 2 miles from Hope (Derbyshire) Train Station, with services to/from Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly.
There is a local bus service (#272, operated by First/Hulleys of Baslow) from Sheffield Interchange to Castleton - the bus stop at Losehill Hall is a short walk from the accommodation. Please check timetables before booking.Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day by 5pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We’ll stay in the heart of the Peak District National Park, within the grounds of YHA’s Castleton Losehill Hall. This gothic mansion is set within 27 acres of parkland which offers picturesque surroundings. The hostel accommodation is split into different sections and Large Outdoors will have exclusive use of the two-storey Mews - a beautifully cobbled property in the grounds.
All bedding is provided, but please make sure you bring a towel and your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Losehill Hall (Mews)
Squires Lane
Hope Valley
S33 8WBRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (en-suite)At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms - with a set of bunk beds and a single bed - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at the Mews, YHA Castleton Losehill Hall.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.
Two days of guided walking in the Peak District National Park (Days 2 and 3).
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Days 2 and 3. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
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.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation, or the main hostel building nearby has a licensed bar offering a small range of alcohol and soft drinks.
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.
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Please see our Residential (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.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Active. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.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.I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.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/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
Please note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.