10 Places to watch the Sunrise in The Peak District
Cloud Inversion on Mam Tor at sunrise.
Here are my top 10 locations for a sunrise walk in the Peak District. A variety of quick and easy walks, to scrambling up slippery limestone. Please make sure you are correctly equipped before heading out into the hills, they can quickly turn against you.
I have put this list together using my years of exploring and hiking our beautiful National Park, with parking and basic walking guides. I hope you enjoy, and if you do go for a walk, tag me in your adventure!
10. Tissington Hill
Tissington Hill is a steep limestone hill that overlooks Dovedale valley. It would be impossible to leave this place out of my top 10 list because it is just so beautiful! This place is more commonly known for Reynard’s Cave, however you can take a path up towards some farmland and get some incredible views. On the way back you can also hike up Thorpe Cloud, another limestone hill which is just by the carpark.
9. The Roaches
The Roaches is a gritstone edge on the south pennine moors, home to one of the most iconic views in the Peak District. There is plenty of roadside parking and you can quickly find a footpath that leads up to the top. A trig point to bag is also a bonus. I hosted one of my first photography workshops here so it holds that little bit of extra sentiment to me.
8. Dragon’s Back
The Dragon’s Back ridge consists of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill, two very distinctive limestone knolls in Derbyshire. I usually walk from Earl Sterndale walking over Hitter Hill and crossing Buxton Road. You can also start your walk in Hollinsclough village. The most popular viewpoint is from about half way up Chrome Hill, facing Parkhouse Hill. This is by far one of the most breathtaking views in The Peak District.
7. Chatsworth House
Chatsworth house is the most romantic out of the list, especially if you attend the country festival. Around 80 hot air balloons go up at sunrise and float along River Derwent! It’s just unbelievable, even without the hot air balloons, you have a high chance of getting a misty morning and an incredible view of the woodland and architecture. All round, a beautiful place you should definitely add to your list. There is a parking area off B6012 towards Chatsworth Garden Centre. Then simply follow the river up towards the house.
6. Mam Tor
When done correctly, Mam Tor could easily be number 1. The downside is that due to it’s popularity it can get very busy, subsequently being left with litter or just not very peaceful. If you can, a summer sunrise midweek is the perfect combination. Most people have work, and you need to be up at 3am, so it’s very unlikely it will be busy. A great alternative is Rushup Edge, and actually gives you a wider view of the ridgeline.
5. Over Owler Tor
A short walking distance from Surprise View Car Park is this beautiful area covered in gritstone. There are a few different hills where you can watch the sunrise here but my favourite is Over Owler Tor. At one particular angle the rock looks like the sorting hat from Harry Potter! If you want to go somewhere a little bit higher, you can continue your walk onto Higger Tor. The best time to visit here is in the late summer when the heather is at it’s peak.
4. Grindslow Knoll
Grindslow Knoll is the highest point on Edale Moor, at 601m above sea level. The quickest way to get there is starting on the Pennine Way from Edale and turning right after about 1km. This footpath will take you straight to the summit. At the top you get an incredible view over Edale towards Mam Tor, where you can watch the sun rise above the great ridge. This could be the most under rated location, as I don’t see many people up here early in the morning the morning.
3. Cave Dale - Peveril Castle
Cave Dale starting from Castleton is perfect if you like history. Our very own English Heritage site Peveril Castle. This 11th century Castle Ruins has to be one of the best places in the Peak District, going back to the Battle of Hastings. After William the Conqueror won, and the Norman take over began, “William Peverel’s Castel” was recording in the Domesday book. Start at Castleton visitor centre and walk though the village towards Cave Dale. As you walk through Cave Dale, you will see exactly where to go, it’s impossible to miss.
2. Ecton Hill
Ecton Hill is a hidden gem in the Peak District, which flies under the radar due to the very popular Thor’s Cave, on the other side of Manifold Valley. I have been here a handful of times under different conditions and never been disappointed. There is a footpath from Warslow village which passes the east side of the summit which has a trig point. It’s likely you will get a could inversion here during autumn due to the river passing through the valley.
Woolpacks
The Woolpacks rock formations are on the Kinder Scout Plateau. An incredible boulder field which is just below Kinder Low - The Peak District’s highest trig point. They are scattered all over, in very interesting shapes and sizes. Over thousands of years they have been weathered and moved around which makes this the best spot to explore the best of our gritstone formations. My preferred way to get here is via Jacob’s Ladder, starting the walk at Barber Booth.