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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Peak District => Topic started by: meehow on 00:07:00, 17/12/20

Title: Peak District with kids
Post by: meehow on 00:07:00, 17/12/20
Can anyone recommend some easy circular walks in the Peak District? I have two boys, 5 and 9 year old. Any tips much appreciated. Thank you :-)
Title: Re: Peak District with kids
Post by: Ridge on 08:58:18, 17/12/20
2 for the price of one.


Start in Castleton and head up Cave Dale where they can easily spend a couple of hours falling off rocks and scraping their knees.


At the top of Cave Dale you can cut sharp right back to Castleton, making a walk of about 3.5 miles. If some or all of you are feeling fit you can take the farm track (Daaaad, this is boring) to cross the road above Winnats Pass and head to Windy Knoll. Cross another road and then up to Mam Tor. Down the ridge to Hollins Cross and then back to Castleton passing close to, but not going to, Woodseats Farm and Dunscar Farm. About 5.75 miles.


As for tips, these things worked with my kids but may not with yours.
We always had 2 types of walk. Going 'for a walk' meant the local woods, falling out of trees and getting muddy. On these walks there was a rule that we didn't go home until we were dirty. Going 'proper walking' meant striding out across the countryside with purpose.
I always oversold, rather than undersold, the challenge. 'It's quite hard, can you make it?' rather than 'We're nearly there'
I always made sure that my kids had OK gear. Not expensive, though you can pass it down, but you see too many parents in the latest boots and waterproofs with their kids in trainers and school coats. They also get very cold very quickly, have plenty of layers and be prepared to share yours if necessary.
Always give then a small rucksack, even if they only has a packet of crisps in it, and get them involved in the map reading. This makes then feel like 'proper walkers' and gives them something to do. It also means that by the time they are in their teens they are carrying all their own gear and you don't have to map read any more.
Have a thing to achieve, the top of a 'mountain' being the most motivating.
A lot of us boys have the trainspotting gene. So how far is it, how high is is, is it a Wainwright, were all important to my son. If you are walking in the area a lot you could get an old map and mark on the paths and hills that they have done.


My son on Skiddaw, wearing my fleece, age 8
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/nn129/Birkhouse/AWs/.highres/Skiddaw%2031.03.07_zpsemas6bkm.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/Birkhouse/a/3c25a6c3-c592-4c70-b9ce-f857a535af49/p/6ab6578c-9dfd-4a37-9315-a44bc1028911)
Title: Re: Peak District with kids
Post by: meehow on 09:34:20, 17/12/20
Thank you! This is very detailed! We will sure try that! We like the idea of overselling, making it a challenge, they like it and get motivated. Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Peak District with kids
Post by: Pyramut on 11:30:53, 17/12/20
Ridge’s suggested walks (the short and long) are good ones, I’ve walked along there before and cave dale is lovely, and you pass a castle. You could do the shorter one suggested, and the next day set out from Castleton again, go up to Hollins Cross and then Mam Tor (i.e. the reverse way of the long walk) then walk down Winnats Pass (off the road, on the grass). It’s another short walk, you get good views from mam tor and gives the “thing to aim for”.


Thanks for the tips on how to encourage kids to walk too, Ridge!