High Peak Estate

High Peak Estate is a National Trust property spanning the Pennine moorlands in Derbyshire's Dark Peak region. The landscape consists of open heathland broken by rocky outcrops and gritstone edges, with walking paths winding through the terrain.

The land was privately owned until a mass protest in 1932 forced open access to the hills. This pivotal act of civil disobedience on Kinder Scout became a turning point in securing public rights of way across England.

Sheep farming shapes the daily life across these moors, with herds visible on the hillsides where families have worked for generations. Walkers today benefit from hard-won public access to land that was once closed off to ordinary people.

The best time to visit is from May through September when the paths are drier and the weather more stable. Bring sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing because the exposed moorland conditions can change quickly.

The moorland was once scarred by intensive lead mining, and visitors can still spot traces of old mine workings scattered across the slopes. This hidden industrial past lies buried beneath what now appears to be untouched wilderness.

GPS coordinates: 53.36600,-1.81600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02