Increasingly we are preoccupied with how what we do affects the planet. But as someone who spends a lot of time out climbing, running and walking in the Peak District and beyond, it can be hard to reconcile my enjoyment of outdoors spaces with my destructive impact on the environment. How often have I driven 40 minutes in an empty car to run on Kinder? How many pairs of climbing shoes do I really need?
With all that in mind we’ve put together a few blog posts about how we can explore outdoor spaces more sustainably.
Part 1: Transport
Lift sharing
Super obvious, I know! But it can be hard to find people to lift share with… there are many sites out there but somehow it’s always been hard to find other people on BlaBlaCar and Liftshare who are heading to Llanberis pass and Brimham Rocks.
For some outdoor specific ones, try BMC liftshare or the UKClimbing Lifts and Partners forum.
Public transport
For walkers
In the Peak we have the Sheffield – Manchester trainline that stops in various villages across the national park. You know what that means? Linear walks and runs!
A favourite short jaunt of mine is taking the train to Hope, heading up Win Hill and over Kinder and dropping down to Edale for the train back. (The Edale station has a café, which makes the wait at the end far more comfortable). We’ll be sharing some of our favourite public transport walks in the coming weeks if you need some inspiration.
There are also bus routes over the Peak District that stop at a variety of walking spots. You’ll find a full list here.
Over the coming months we’ll be sharing a series of Peak District walks and runs from public transport. You’ll find our Hope – Edale walking route here.
Or to plot your own, learn more about Peak District Navigation courses.
Surprise View bus stop in the Peak District, brilliant for walking, running and climbing alike!
For Climbers
Grindleford Train station is pretty close to Yarncliffe crag and Lawrencefield (the latter being admittedly a bit of an uphill slog).
The grind from Hathersage train station up to Stanage with a full pack or a couple of bouldering pads is admittedly not very appealing but definitely doable. However many of the bus stops are as conveniently located as the car park.
The 271/272 bus stops at the Fox House (for Burbage South) and Surprise View (for Lawrencefield, Millstone, Over Owler Tor, Secret Garden, Mothercap).
The 65 Bus takes you from Sheffield City Centre all the way to Buxton, also stopping at Fox House (Burbage South) then on to Yarncliffe Lodge (Yarncliffe Quarry), and then taking you to the limestone crags: Stoney Middleton, and Miller’s Dale (near the Ravenstor YHA). In brief, there are whole variety of climbing available to you on public transport!
The 218 from Sheffield – Bakewell heads out towards Baslow, dropping you off near Gardoms, Birchen, Baslow and Curbar edges (get off at Bar Brook Bridge stop).
And the 257 from Sheffield – Bakewell takes you out via Rivelin Edge, Ladybower quarry and Bamford.
A full list of Peak District bus routes lives here.
Planning journeys on public transport
Hope Train station in the Peak District, a good starting point for walking and running in Hope or Edale Valley.
Traveline journey planner: for planning longer and more complex journeys both different forms of public transport.
National Rail: rail times, updates and tickets in the UK.
Traveline: Wales / UK for planning journeys on all modes of transport.
Trainline / Omio : for European rail tickets (third party provider but probably more user friendly than national sites).
Peak District bus routes: for planning your excursions.
Handy walking/climbing specific services
Snowdon Sherpa: for travelling around the Wyddfa area. Parking has been a real issue around Wyddfa, so the service brings some important relief.
Further afield
Whilst there is some romance in a roadtrip to the South of France, did you know that it’s quicker (and less tiring) by train? For some inspiration, this UKClimbing article gives lots of details about the logistics of train travel for climbing trips.
Pedal power
With the increasing popularity of the E-bike, cycling is becoming an increasingly viable option for getting out to the hills, mountains and crags. Muscle bikes (AKA regular bikes) are more readily available and affordable, but you might need to build up to a big ride out to the crag (or accept that you’ll be pushing your bike up some hills).
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A few useful links to for getting out on your bike:
Sustrans: a comprehensive network of cycle routes in the UK
Cyclescheme: provider of tax-free bikes for the government’s cycle to work scheme
Think.gov: safe cycling guidance
Inspiration for pedal-powered climbing
Anna Taylor’s classic rock round by bike
Peak District Classic Rock by bike
For us mortals the Peak District Classic rock by bike might be a little more achievable. A UKClimbing post here details the logistics.
Steve McClure’s triple crown by bike
Biketouring and climbing in France (with a child!)
Got any of your own? Let us know!
Hati
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
