Buxton to Edale walk - Part of the Pennine Odyssey (Day 7)

Friday 27th March 2026

Walking Diary (All Walks) Long Distance Walks Offa's Dyke to the Pennine Way Link Path 2025

The last day of this link path from Offa's Dyke to the Pennine Way took us from Buxton to Edale. It was another excellent walk, although the majority was done in wet and windy conditions which spoilt it for us. I can imagine that this would have been another totally enjoyable day had the good weather from yesterday continued.

The walk took us through Peak District pasture, dale and peaks to the picturesque Castleton. It was at pretty Castleton where the weather finally faired up and we enjoyed the last couple of hours in lovely warm sunshine. The final stretch was up and over the surrounding fells, in full view of the adjacent Mam Tor, and onto the edge of Kinder Scout at Edale, this was our final destination for this cross country route.

We initially wandered through Buxton to the impressive Pavilion and Opera House before leaving the built-up area and heading to Tunstead, then onto Hay Dale and Dam Dale. The route then followed the same line as the Limestone Way over Old Moor to Castleton. From here stunning views are found as the route passes over Hollins Cross and down into Edale.

We took photo's at the Nags Head in Edale and the Pennine Way start point when we finished the walk and reminisced regarding this long distance walk connecting Offa's Dyke to the Pennine Way - It had had some high points, but also a few lows over the seven walking days which started in the summer of 2025, but unfortunately had to finish in the spring of 2026.

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Distance: 15.4 miles

Duration: 7:00 hours

Ascent: 2668 ft

Difficulty: Hard

Accompanied By: Davy

Weather: Wet & Windy

3D outline of route

Parking

We headed out from our hotel and walked through the Pavilion Gardens. It was raining - the ducks seemed happy enough though and we weren't to bothered as we had expectations that it would be clear in an hour or so. But it wasn't to be!

A damp looking Buxton Pavilion.

Buxton Opera House - with nobody around, I don't blame them as it was chucking it down.

A soggy and squelchy walk along Dale Lane.

A tad drier as we reached more solid terrain.

Buxton Lime at Ashwood Dale Quarry.

It was quite strange and unexpected as the public footpath actually enters the grounds of the Buxton Lime works. It was well signposted and controlled, but having spent over 15 years walking in the countryside, it did seem odd to walk through an industrial complex.

Cars even stopped for us at our very own zebra crossings.

The constant loading and transportation of railway trucks can be viewed as you cross the footbridge and leave the quarry and works.

A reasonably steep and grassy climb followed as we started to enter more familiar terrain.

An isolated barn near Tunstead.

Leaving Hay Dale as we pick up a road for a few minutes before entering Dam Dale - the weather at this point was pretty grim! We kept expecting the rain to ease, but it just continued relentlessly.

A steady climb towards Old Moor - made all the more uncomfortable with the wind and rain in our faces.

A sign of the times!

What on earth is wrong with displaying the distances in miles, as they have always been. This one is in 'km' - surely there's some sort of standard for signposts? I know we sound like grumpy old men - but this just isn't cricket !

Crossing Old Moor on the Limestone Way as finally the weather begins to break.

Heading into the dramatic limestone gorge with Peveril Castle in the distance

The ruins of the 11th century Peveril Castle tower over the village of Castleton.

The rain had stopped and the sun started to warm us up - so we decided to have our lunch stop in the centre of this very pretty little village and have our first real stop for the day (nearly 5hrs into the walk).

Way to Devils Arse ?

Strange name - but also known as Peak Cavern

What a cracking view as we were soon surrounded by an amphitheatre of fells, with Mam Tor being the stand out one for me. We were initially unsure as to which one we would have to climb up and over to get to Edale, but it turned out to be by Hollins Cross at a slightly lower elevation.

A comforting sign as we wander across the soft green grass near Odin Sitch and Dunscar Farm.

Mam Tor.

There looks to be a cracking horseshoe walk around Castleton taking in Mam Tor and the other fells - I think I'll pop back here soon and enjoy that one.