84 miles, 6 days, 51 pubs…

The latest addition to The Inn Way series, Mark Reid charts a circular route through the heart of the Peak District from the wilds of Kinder Scout to the dramatic gritstone edges, Chatsworth Park, mystical Stanton Moor, Lathkill Dale and Monsal Dale, the Plague village of Eyam, Castleton and its caverns, Mam Tor and Edale. This 84 mile walk is divided into six ‘day stages’ and passes 51 pubs along the way. Complete with a foreword by the Duke of Devonshire CBE.

Walker's Diary

Have you just finished walking The Inn Way? Do you want to share your experiences with the world? Which was your favourite pub? Which part did you enjoy (or not) the most? Any amusing stories to share? Any top tips for other InnWay walkers?

Send your comments in to us using the form at the bottom of this page and (if suitable) we will post them on this site. Your name, when you completed the walk and which part of the country you are from will be posted on this page.

POSTED MAY 2009





"ABCD on Tour" (Alan, Bill, Christine & Denis – total age 240+) along the Peak District walk.
 

Posted August 2008
"Our Inn Way walk through the Peak District was wonderful - - challenging in places, but wonderful. My certificate of completion will hang proudly in my office.""

Keep producing them,
 

Posted June 2008
"Late last year we bought your Inn Way Peak District book with a view to tackling it on our annual week long walk in May. This we duly did and I would like to say that it was great fun and thoroughly enjoyable."

"We shortened the first day and lengthened day 2 to get a slightly better balance for us but overall it was nicely within our daily range notwithstanding the rocky terrain and considerable climbing and descending. Great landscape! Next year we might try the Yorkshire Dales book for a contrast."

Keep producing them,
 

Posted March 2008
"I just wanted to let you know that I completed 'The Inn Way to the Peak District' over Easter and thought you might like some comments for your Walker's Diary page. I found your directional instructions incredibly accurate and so easy to follow. It's hard to express how important such detailed and accurate written directions are when both in bad weather and fading light. Having confidence in the route description when walking in poor conditions somehow ensures that you can enjoy the walk as much as possible knowing that there is little chance of getting lost."

"I did the walk starting on Wednesday 19th March through to Monday 24th March (over Easter). You can plan the walk but you can't plan the weather. Unluckily perhaps, I met with some of the worst weather of the year so far, with what seemed like the 4 seasons all occurring in a single day - snow, gale force winds, rain and sunshine. I also met occasional hail head on along with the biting wind. The moral of this though is always to be prepared for every type of weather, particularly if walking in the earlier part of the year. Due to Location logistics I started and finished the walk from Baslow, joined by my mate after day 2 and my brother-in-law and partner on day 6."

Day 1 - Baslow to Youlgrave
Highlights - Walking through Chatsworth Park to Beeley in the sunshine. The Farmyard Inn at Youlgrave.
Good accommodation at The Old Bakery in Yougrave.
Biggest Challenge - Perhaps the long climb up from Rowsley to Stanton - and then squeezing a pint in at the Flying Childers when arriving 10 minutes before closing time.

Day 2 - Yougrave to Tideswell
Highlights - Sloshing through the partly flooded Water-cum-Jolly Dale & definitely the Cock & Pullet at Sheldon - a welcoming and warm pub, great food, big selection of beers and friendly staff.
Biggest Challenge - 7 hours and 16 miles of walking in continuous rain and frequent high winds. Also the steep climb up to Monsal head.
Definitely recommend 'Rockingham Lodge' as an excellent B&B at Tideswell.

Day 3 - Tideswell to Castleton
Highlights - Reaching Castleton after what seemed a long walk, even if not the longest of the 6 days - and then having a welcoming drink in the Castle Inn - which also is a good place for accommodation.
Biggest Challenge - Battling through great winds and Hail coming from all sides and into the face. A nice rest on the way was had at the Miners Arms in Eyam and the (appropriately named) Travellers Rest at Brough.

Day 4 - Castleton to Hayfield
Highlights - Walking out of Castleton up through snow covered Cave Dale - a spectacular sight. Also the doors of the Old Nags Head at Edale opening at 12:00 (well worth the 10 minute wait). The Sportsman Inn at the top of Hayfield is a great pub. It's a long way back up though if you're staying there and want to visit the other 5 pubs in the village.
Biggest Challenge - The weather again and some steep climbs

Day 5 - Hayfield to Hathersage
Highlights - Walking through the snow, the Christmas card views down to and across Kinder Reservoir. Reaching the Snake Pass Inn. Joining The Easter Sunday Diners as the worst dressed in the pub! The solitude at the summit of Win Hill at 5.00pm
Biggest Challenge - Changing weather conditions, tricky walking under foot along the snowy/mushy snake path, and the similar decent from Win Hill. The last 1.5 miles in the Dark, and a struggling companion!

Day 6 - Hathersage to Baslow
Highlights - A mostly sunny last day (although the snow came too), some great views from the edges of Stanage, Froggatt & Cubar, and Higger Tor. The Grouse Inn at Froggatt Edge is a great place for both food and drink (It was a wrench to leave). Having a satisfying drink (or two) in the Wheatsheaf Hotel having finished the 6 days, and then being driven home to a warm bath!
Biggest Challenge - None - except facing up to it being the last day!

Top tips from a relatively walking amateur:

"For those pubs that don't like muddy boots - take some disposable boot covers with you - saves taking the boots off (unless you need to of course!). Take your camera (and charger) - and find the time to use it. If you intend to stop at pubs on the way (well why wouldn't you?) - give yourself plenty of time for the walk if daylight may be an issue (as you may just stop at some of the pubs longer than you anticipated). When the going gets tough - see it a challenge and an achievement to get through it rather than becoming dejected or demoralised. Take the right quality clothing and dress for the weather rather than personal appearance. Looking good won't necessarily keep you warm and dry."
 

Posted May 2007
Highlights: Royal Hotel (Hayfield) - good range of beers and great food. Accommodation good too. Little John at Hathersage - good beer (especially Archers Six Hop) and the largest food portions I've ever seen! Hathersage to Baslow - fabulous ridge walks. Grouse Inn - excellent Deuchars IPA. Wheatsheaf (Baslow) - good food and ales. Chatsworth (as runners, we appreciate the soft grass running surface). Farmyard (Youlgrave) - excellent food, friendly staff, good mix of locals and tourists of all ages. Youlgrave to Tideswell - gorgeous valley walks - perfect in slightly inclement weather. Cock & Pullet (Sheldon) - fabulous village pub - delayed our progress with excellent beer and interesting locals. Monsal Head Hotel - sat outside in the sunshine, enjoyed excellent range of beer including Old Peculiar (very busy pub at weekends though - expect to queue and wait for food). Ramblers Arms - stayed overnight in good quality accommodation, excellent food and good beer (with the exception of one pint which was quickly exchanged).