Walk 39: Peak Pilgrimage

The Peak Pilgrimage is a linear walk, so it is recommended to arrange appropriate transport to the start and end points of the hike.

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Safety First

Please don't rely solely on this guide to navigate the hike. Always carry a paper map of the area, compass, and know how to use them. Download the accompanying GPX file for use with a GPS app to help keep you on track. While hiking is generally safe, risks exist — plan ahead, use common sense, and make informed decisions.

Directions

In this guide, I provide an account of my personal experience walking the Peak Pilgrimage, a spiritual and scenic journey through the heart of the Peak District.

While the route was well waymarked and manageable overall, I recommend checking the official Peak Pilgrimage guide for maps and updates, especially if you plan to walk it during the quieter seasons.

The official route runs from Ilam to Eyam, and I followed it in the traditional direction — south to north — enjoying a balance of rolling countryside, tranquil villages, and reflective moments.

Note: There are two different endings to the Peak Pilgrimage. One takes you along the Derwent Valley floor and is slightly shorter at 35 miles. The other follows the gritstone edges of Baslow, Curbar, and Froggatt, and is 39 miles long. This guide follows the shorter route.

About the Peak Pilgrimage

The Peak Pilgrimage is a 35-mile (56 km) long-distance walking route that stretches from the village of Ilam, nestled beside the River Manifold, to the historic plague village of Eyam. Designed as both a physical and spiritual journey, the route was created in 2015 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Eyam Plague.

Unlike many long-distance trails focused solely on nature or heritage, the Peak Pilgrimage incorporates a series of churches and spiritual waypoints, encouraging moments of reflection and personal growth along the way. Each church on the route offers a short activity or reading to enhance the pilgrim experience.

The trail guides you through some of the most iconic scenery of the White Peak: limestone dales, pastoral farmlands, ancient woodlands, and gritstone edges. Along the way, you’ll encounter rivers, dry stone walls, sheep-speckled hills, and inviting country pubs — all part of the quintessential Peak District experience.

Itinerary

Day One

Start: Ilam
End: 1 mile from Hartington
Distance: 12 miles
Accommodation: Jug and Glass Pub. Rooms typically cost £125/night

The walk begins in the picturesque village of Ilam, with its alpine-style cottages and dramatic backdrop of Thorpe Cloud. From here, the path meanders through Dovedale, crossing the famous stepping stones, following the River Dove through the limestone valley into the village of Milldale.

The route heads up past the pretty village and church at Alstonefield before taking you through quiet field paths towards Gypsy Bank. From here, you head back down to the River Dove and continue all the way to Hartington.

This day is full of variety — from dramatic limestone valleys to upland meadows, it sets the tone for the next couple of days ahead.

Day Two

Start: Jug and Glass Pub
End: Bakewell
Distance: 14 miles
Accommodation: The Tannery, Bakewell. Rooms typically cost around £100

After retracing your steps through Hartington Meadow Nature Reserve, the route quickly joins the Tissington and High Peak Trails towards Monyash. It continues on to Lathkill Dale, one of the most beautiful limestone valleys in the Peak District. The river and wildlife here provide a serene and calming backdrop.

After another church visit in Over Haddon, the path gradually ascends to Bakewell, the largest town on the route and a perfect place to rest for the night.

Day Three

Start: Bakewell
End: Eyam
Distance: 10 miles

From Bakewell, the trail heads east through ancient woods, passing through Edensor and continuing toward Baslow. This leg blends charming riverside stretches with open countryside and the grand Chatsworth House, which is well worth a visit if you have the time.

The trial then passes through the Derwent Valley, with churches at Curbar and Stoney Middleton to enjoy. Last but by no means least, the final part of the pilgrimage takes you to the beautiful and interesting Eyam, a village known for its tragic but inspiring response to the 1665 plague.

A visit to Eyam Church, the plague cottages, and the boundary stone is a sobering and powerful end to the journey.

Questions or comment about this route? Leave them in the comments section below.