As summer gets underway, what better chance is there than to visit somewhere new? Manchester is surrounded by its own natural beauty, including in local parks and further out in the countryside.
There's also the option of visiting a number of national parks, including the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Peak District. Each are home to villages boasting stunning scenery and are often steeped in fascinating history and tradition.
One Peak District village that's worth a visit is Edale - from Manchester city centre, it's just under an hour and a half away by car, or can be accessed in less than 45 minutes on the train. Edale is the perfect base to explore an abundance of Peak District walks and get (metaphorically) lost in nature.
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Hiking fanatics will know it as the starting (or ending) point of the Pennine Way trail - which stretches north through the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border. But you don't have to be a fitness expert to appreciate the views - and other, shorter walking circuits - that Edale has to offer.
From this beautiful village, you can walk to Kinder Scout - the highest point in the Peak District at 636 metres above sea level. It features breath-taking views, moorlands and even its own waterfall.
On this route, people tend to go via at Jacob's Ladder, a bridleway between Kinder Scout and the hamlet of Upper Booth. From here, you can see the rolling hills of the vale of Edale. The full walk can take between eight and 10 miles, depending on which way you go.
Another option is to visit one of the Peak District's most well-known locations, Mam Tor. The hill is a popular destination, perched on the edge of the Dark Peak (gritstone) and the White Peak (limestone), lending itself to some lovely views - including the dry gorge of Winnats Pass.
And if you feel like pushing yourself further, after Mam Tor you could visit the picturesque village of Castleton, in the heart of the Peak District. The National Trust also recommends this 'low-level circular walk,' open fields and along parts of the Pennine Way, following streams and stone paths.
Edale also has a Moorlands Visitor Centre, which serves as a tourist information centre, which is certainly worth a visit. To refuel before (or after) your day of exploring, Edale has two pubs - The Nags Head and The Rambler Inn, both serving up pub grub and real ale.
Meanwhile Penny Pot and Newfold Farm cafes both offer sweet and savoury light bites, from baguettes to cakes, as well as a selection of warm and cold drinks. The village also hosts two camping sites and a selection of guesthouses and self-catering cottages.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker looking to stretch your legs on a new route, or if you're seeking somewhere to disconnect and get lost in nature for a while, Edale is sure to have an adventure ready for you.
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