The Limestone Way is a 46-mile (75 km) long-distance trail from Castleton in Derbyshire to Rocester on the Staffordshire border, crossing some of the most distinctive landscapes in the White Peak. This is a route shaped by geology — limestone plateaus, dry valleys, caverns, riverside meadows, and the rolling pastoral scenery that defines the central Peak District.
Beginning in the dramatic gorge country around Castleton, the trail winds through quiet farming villages, open upland, and historic dales on its way south. It passes through Peak Forest, Millers Dale, Youlgreave, Bonsall, and the outskirts of Matlock, before continuing past the Tissington Trail and into gentle Staffordshire countryside for a peaceful finish near Rocester.
With train links nearby, attractive walking sections, and plenty of charming villages along the route, the Limestone Way is ideal for self-guided walking holidays in the Peak District and the wider Midlands.
Type: Regional Long-Distance Trail
Distance: 46 miles / 75 km
Start/End: Castleton – Rocester
Time Required: 3–5 days
Terrain: Limestone dales, dry valleys, farmland paths, quiet lanes, upland plateaus
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate — gentle gradients with some short, steeper dale climbs
Accessibility: Rail links via Hope (Castleton), Buxton (near Peak Forest), Matlock, and Uttoxeter (near Rocester)
Begin among caves, crags, and high limestone slopes around Castleton, climbing onto open plateau above the Hope Valley before reaching the quiet hamlet of Peak Forest.
Cross peaceful upland pasture and descend toward the deep-cut valleys around Millers Dale — classic White Peak scenery shaped by limestone and river erosion.
Walk through dry valleys and open farmland toward Youlgreave, overlooking the River Bradford and close to the celebrated landscapes of Lathkill Dale.
Follow rolling countryside south, passing historic farms, old mining land, and drystone-walled fields on the way to the hillside village of Bonsall.
Traverse high ground and valley edges above Matlock, with wide White Peak views and easy connections to Derwent Valley heritage sites.
Continue through quiet countryside toward the Tissington Trail, a popular cycling and walking route, before descending toward the gentle hills around Thorpe.
Cross the Staffordshire border and follow meadowland and farmland paths to finish in Rocester, close to the River Dove and the edge of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Towns & Villages:
Castleton, Peak Forest, Millers Dale, Youlgreave, Bonsall, Matlock, Thorpe, Rocester
Accommodation:
Country inns, village B&Bs, boutique rooms in Castleton and Matlock, countryside cottages, and family-run guesthouses along the route
Food & Drink:
Traditional Peak District pubs, farmhouse cafés, Derbyshire bakeries, riverside inns, and local produce from upland villages
Culture & Heritage:
Castleton’s caverns, White Peak geology, historic dales, village churches, old mine workings, Tissington Trail heritage, Staffordshire rural landscapes