Distance 18 miles (29km)
Classification Challenging
Duration 10 hours over two days
Begins Edale railway station
Ends Hope railway station
OS grid refs SK123853, SK181832

Walk in a nutshell
A two-day exploration of the High Peak, where the Pennines begin their march up to Scotland. Starting from Edale, the route climbs Jacob's Ladder to mighty Kinder Scout and down to the Domesday village of Castleton. The second day may be shorter (6.5 miles) but still takes hikers up Winnats Pass and over Mam Tor and Lose Hill.

Why it's special
This is a walk over a fault line of eroding rocks – dark gritstone to the north and white limestone to the south, bursting with wild gritstone outcrops at their peaks. Once the wild hunting forest of the High Peak, with roaming wolves, the skies above are still rent asunder by the wings of ravens, kestrels, buzzards and peregrine falcons. And who can resist a walk destined to end in Hope?

Keep your eyes peeled for
Jacob's Ladder, named after farmer Jacob Marshall, who carved these steep steps up this once-important packhorse route. Kinder Scout is where the infamous mass trespass of 1932 took place, thus opening up the countryside to ramblers – so do doff your hat to our fearless hiking forebears.

Once an iron age hill fort, Mam Tor is also known as Shivering Mountain, because numerous landslides are moving it about 9cm every year. And at Winnats Pass, check out the distant view of the giant backpacker sitting on the misty skyline. It's actually only a peculiar rock formation. Or is it?

Stay overnight at
Castleton's cosy 17th-century Bargate Cottage , which used to serve as the village store. Alternatively, try Dunscar Farm (dunscarfarm.co.uk) on the edge of Castleton, where an Aga-cooked breakfast will set you up nicely for the second day of this hike.

Recover afterwards
At Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn in Hope Valley, whose menu stretches from jacket potatoes to tapas.

If it's tipping down
Peveril Castle in Castleton is one of Britain's earliest Norman fortresses, with an imposing keep built by Henry II and a warm visitor centre added by English Heritage.

How to get there
This walk begins at one railway station, Edale, and ends at another, Hope. Trains from Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly serve both stations at least every two hours.

Step by step

Day one

1 From Edale station head north towards Grindsbrook Clough and turn left, signposted for the Pennine Way and Upper Booth.

2 Follow signposts for Jacob's Ladder. At Swine's Back head north for 400m to the trig point at Kinder Low. Retrace your steps to Swine's Back and take the clear path east along the ridge.

3 After Crowden Tower the path drops to a ford and continues east. Take the left-hand path round the back of Grindslow Knoll to a crossroads. Take the steep path downhill into Grindsbrook Clough and Edale.

4 Take the footpath behind the cemetery, cross the bridge and turn immediately right to follow a path under the train bridge.

5 Take the path south-east down to Castleton via Hollowford Road.

Day two

1 From Castleton follow A6187 to Winnats Pass, then follow a footpath through the pass and behind Winnats Head Farm.

2 Cross the B6061 then, via Windy Knoll, cross the road again to climb Mam Tor.

3 Follow the ridge to Lose Hill. Drop downhill, cross a stile on the right and keep left to go behind Lose Hill Farm.

4 Follow footpaths to Hope station.