Buxbak two

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It is definitely a walk I’d do again as it’s got multiple steep climbs, lots of wall stiles and plenty of beautiful scenery you can enjoy in solitude for most of the time.

I walked it at the end of August 2024 (light rain for the previous few days) and there were no issues but I imagine, as others have said, there are a few points where it would be quite tricky where the weather has been inclement for a while.

There is a minor issue with the footpath into Taddington being overgrown, but there are quite a few alternatives, so it’s not that big of an issue.

I thoroughly recommend the walk if you enjoy a bit of a challenge and some reasonably steep (safe) climbs. Expect it to take a little longer than you might think for such a distance.

Walked from Buxton to Bakewell. A great route, but pretty hard work for a walk of this distance - took me over 7 hours, but I was going very slow on the downhills to protect the knees. Lots of little ups and downs, some of them steep, and a lot of stone stiles. Some of the paths, particularly the scrambly zigzags east of the deeper Deep Dale may be slippery and potentially dangerous when wet or icy, especially in descent.

The route out of Buxton was largely new to me, and quite interesting. I have used the Staden Low/Deep Dale path a couple of times before but on both occasions used London Road at the Buxton end. The descent to Dukes Drive is steep and has a couple of steps at the bottom (hardly worth mentioning with all the stone stiles to come). As long as you pay attention to the signs the route is fairly easy to follow, though the path east from Cowdale starts with a stone stile that could be missed.

The fun starts when we get to Deep Dale, a very impressive limestone gorge. The descent is on a well engineered zigzag path, but the ascent of the east side is steeper and has a few rocky steps that I wouldn't fancy in icy conditions. This path is also more eroded and less popular. Once out of the dale the next part crosses cow pastures using stone stiles. I did miss a short section of the route because at the top the lanes offer a quicker route than the field shortcut over two more stone stiles.

Caxterway Lane is a good farm track and offers an easy straight route up to Old Coalpit Lane. The path beyond is also entirely on farm lanes. At Chelmorton we turn left up the hill, passing a pub. Higher up the bridlepath starts well, but once on the flatter fields it has a lot of little twists and turns, probably to stick to the driest line. The path over to Sough Top is less popular and has a series of stone stiles. The field adjacent to the reservoir is cropped, and the cut line follows its edge. As Ken says, it is well worth stopping as there are fine views in all directions.

The descent to Taddington starts past docile cows and is fairly popular and well marked. There is a pub and a couple of benches in Taddington. At the pub we turn right up the hill on a path that is a little overgrown higher up, as is the path we follow down to the left at the top. It might have been easier just to walk up the bottom part of Dokindale Lane. A good path, with a few stray bramble shoots, takes us up the hill, where we briefly join the road before heading left on an old lane with good views.

We reach another road then turn right down past a farm, then cross a sheep pasture to find the indistinct path down to the second (rather gentler) Deep Dale. The line up the far side looks steeper than it is - the slope is easy enough to permit a straight line. More fields take us to Sheldon, where there is another pub and more benches. We stay on the road most of the way down to the road to Ashford, using a field shortcut at the bottom, then using the minor road opposite to go back up the hill. We soon leave this route on a path that climbs steeply uphill into a large pasture, then descends past a farm to rejoin the road.

The start of the path towards Bakewell could easily be missed, but the path is easy to follow. As Ken says, the wettest place on the whole walk is just beyond Crowhill Lane, but you can stay dry-shod by picking your way across stones. Another little defile is followed by the last climb of the day, and the descent towards Bakewell is on a popular and well marked path.

A fine walk, but not one to be taken lightly, especially in wet or icy conditions. In winter, don't underestimate the amount of daylight you may need.

This is a great White Peak walk, it's hard work and there are cattle, steep climbs and narrow rocky paths. There are excellent views and on a sunny May day I had the paths almost to myself. It's are easy to follow but I am suggesting a few minor tweaks so recommend Buxbak-2. There are Inns at three spaced locations along the way but no shops were seen. Taddington offers the Transpeak bus to split or bail out and a Bunk Barn but there are other pop up camp sites along the way. There are sections that would not be pleasant in poor conditions.


I walked Buxton to Bakewell on a warm sunny day. The rail station has seats outside so is a good meeting point. From here it's an immediate climb to the market place and what the map marks as the bus station. Then we dive onto side roads and quickly exit the town through the allotments.

Crossing the road to enter the caravan park keep to the track to the farm, this was my first error. This sections follows the Midshires Way and Peak District Boundary Walk. Both have intermittent waymarking. I've made a minor change at Cowdale to help you avoid the well walked woodland path. Our path is across open fields.

Approaching King Sterndale the parkland is attractive with stands of trees including my favourite a copper beech. The church stands opposite what looks like the old school. That had all been fairly easy walking but get ready for Deep Dale. It is very picturesque but ignore the plot here and carefully follow the zig-zag paths down and then up. I'm sure the east side is the steepest but the top offered a perfect spot for lunch where I had the place to myself.

Caxter Way Lane offers a camp site with great views. From here to Chelmorton the route is along tracks. The Church Inn as the name suggests is opposite the church and looked busy. Another track and a climb passing the village spring. The path here follows an old rake where the sought after mineral was extracted following the vein and leaving the excavation and spoil which we can still see today.

The map tells us that Sough Top is a high point with reservoir, mast and trig pillar, it's not wrong, worth a pause here before dropping down into Taddington. I offer a different route through the village to pass the church where there is seating and a tap. The main street is by-passed so fairly quiet except for the hourly buses. If you don't require Taddington services stay on the top road to avoid a climb. From the Queens Arms I offer a more straight forward track as the many footpaths can be a challenge to locate.

After more track walking, Deep Dale (two) well it's a different parish so it's their deep dale. It's not as deep as the first but still a climb. Across fields now with a view of Magpie Mine which was the last working lead mine in Derbyshire. It really adds something to the landscape near Sheldon. Pass through the village along the main street where another inn may tempt you in. Another small tweak to make use of the short cut path before another climb or perhaps stay on the road at lower level.

Approaching Bakewell I came across the only mud as I entered the field corner from the road. Cattle were strangly attracted to this spot so it was a challenge to negotiate mud and the small heard. The town becomes evident with the spire hiding over another lime stone wall. The final section of footpath is now used as a narrow walled car access where we go on meeting a car, I know not. A walk through the churchyard and my final tweak should make the last few yards easy to navigate. A great walk, highly recommended.

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