Pennine Way: Edale to Torside for Hadfield

18.5 miles, 7.5 hours. 

This section can be split in two at Snake Pass Summit, which just about has a mobile signal, so you can call for a taxi to Glossop, which has trains to Manchester. 

For the intrepid traveller looking to swap the terminal lounge for the open moor, there is no more iconic departure gate than the village of Edale. Nestled in the Vale of Edale and easily reached via a scenic rail link from Sheffield or Manchester, this is where the Pennine Way—Britain’s first National Trail—begins its 268-mile trek to the Scottish Borders. The first leg to Hadfield via Torside is an 18-mile introduction that proves Northern England can be every bit as dramatic as the Alps, provided you’ve packed a sturdy pair of boots and a decent waterproof.

For the day-tripper or the weary hiker, Edale railway station is a delightful gateway to the Great Outdoors, arguably one of the most scenic arrival points in the North. Situated on the Hope Valley Line, it’s served primarily by Northern, with occasional appearances by East Midlands Railway. On weekdays and Saturdays, services to Manchester Piccadilly are remarkably frequent for a rural outpost, typically departing once an hour. On Sundays, the pace slows down slightly, but you can still rely on a steady flow of trains, ensuring that those who have spent the afternoon conquering Kinder Scout aren't stranded in the heather.

Leaving the comfort of the Old Nag’s Head, the path meanders through lush Derbyshire sheep pastures before the real work begins at Jacob’s Ladder. Named after an 18th-century farmer rather than the biblical vision, this steep stone staircase is the price of admission to the Kinder Scout plateau. At the summit, you are rewarded with the wind-whipped grandeur of the Dark Peak. The terrain here is a mix of gritstone outcrops and the famous "peat groughs"—deep, boggy channels that once swallowed walkers whole but are now largely conquered by a motorway of weathered flagstones.

The highlights come thick and fast as you skirt the western edge of the plateau. Keep a sharp eye out for Kinder Downfall, the Peak District’s tallest waterfall; on a particularly gusty day, the wind has a habit of blowing the water vertically back up the cliff, a natural spectacle that beats any airport fountain. To your left, the Kinder Low trig point marks your proximity to the highest ground in the county, offering panoramic views that, on a clear day, stretch across the Cheshire Plain to the Welsh mountains.

The second half of the day brings a shift in atmosphere as you cross the Snake Pass—a road more famous for winter closures than summer strolls—and head onto the wild expanse of Bleaklow. This is perhaps the most atmospheric stretch of the entire trail, a remote moorland that feels a world away from the 21st century. Navigational caution is required here, though the presence of the B-29 "Overexposed" air crash site, where wreckage still litters the heather, serves as a poignant reminder of the plateau's unforgiving nature in poor visibility.

The final descent into the Longdendale Valley offers a stunning visual payoff, with the deep blue waters of the Torside and Woodhead reservoirs appearing like a mirage against the dark heather. The path drops steadily through Torside Clough, trading the rugged peat for the welcome shelter of woodland. As you reach the shoreline of Torside Reservoir, you’ve completed what many consider the toughest opening day of any British trail. There may be no duty-free shop at the end, but the sense of achievement is a far better souvenir.

For the traveller who finds themselves at the end of the line—literally—Hadfield railway station serves as a vital jumping-off point for the Longdendale Trail and the rugged northern reaches of the Peak District. This modest terminus on the Glossop Line is a bastion of reliability, with Northern operating a robust service that usually sees trains departing for Manchester Piccadilly every 30 minutes during the day. It’s a classic commuter-to-country link where the journey time is a predictable 40 minutes, taking you from the urban sprawl of the city to the crisp air of the Derbyshire hills with remarkably little fuss.

To get between Edale and Hadfield by train, you'll need to change at Manchester Piccadilly. Plan your journey at nationalrail.co.uk

The best train ticket for getting between Hadfield and Edale is the TfGM Wayfarer at £17.40 for an adult. It's valid all day after 0930 weekdays (no restriction on weekends) on all buses, trams and trains in Greater Manchester and beyond, including to both Edale and Hadfield. If you need to travel before 0930 on a weekday, then an Anytime Day Single between the two stations is currently £19.50. Look out for Advance Single fares too, which can get the cost down below the price of a Wayfarer.

Links

• Edale, adjacent to Railway Station – Bus Times 

• Edale railway station https://railwaystation.uk/index.php?station=EDL 

• 62 bus Buxton - Edale - Castleton

• 62 - Buxton - Castleton – High Peak – Bus Times 

• Transpennine Trail to Hadfield railway station

• https://railwaystation.uk/index.php?station=HDF