Limestone Way

Limestone Way

A walk through the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park, from Castleton to Ashbourne.

3 to 7 nights
30-43 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding

From £370 per person

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About the trail

Through the dramatic gorge of Cave Dale, overlooked by the impregnable keep of Peveril Castle, and onward through limestone valleys famous for their wild orchids, the Limestone Way sets out from Castleton into the spectacular White Peak.

This area is full of craggy limestone outcroppings and ancient woodland awash with wildflowers, and it’s rich in historic villages, too. It all comes together as an unparalleled mix of dramatic landscapes, tranquil spaces, and welcoming, stone-built settlements.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Limestone Way
  • Limestone Way Highlights

About this route

4 to 7 nights
43 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December

From £480 per person

Limestone Way

Our Limestone Way walking holiday takes in 43 miles of the White Peak region of the Peak District National Park. While the full official trail stretches between Castleton and Rocester, our tour is slightly shorter, beginning at Castleton and completing via a small diversion in Ashbourne.

This trail showcases some of the finest scenery on offer in this area, featuring limestone crags, quiet woodlands, sweeping valleys and the gorge of Cave Dale, to name just a few. Coupled with a smattering of ancient villages and historic landmarks along the way, this walk has plenty of attractions to entice and entertain walkers from start to finish.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
LIME1 From Castleton to Ashbourne 4 nights, 3 days walking Demanding £480
LIME2 From Castleton to Ashbourne 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate £600
LIME3 From Castleton to Ashbourne 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate £715
LIME4 From Castleton to Ashbourne 7 nights, 6 days walking Easy / Moderate £830
"Approaching Matlock" by David Law (2022) "Approaching Matlock" by David Law (2022)
"Views from Pasture Lane" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022) "Views from Pasture Lane" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022)
"Limestone Way post" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022) "Limestone Way post" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022)
"Leaving Monyash towards Youlgreave" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022) "Leaving Monyash towards Youlgreave" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022)
"Wild Garlic at Thorpe" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022) "Wild Garlic at Thorpe" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022)
"The kind of sign we like!" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022) "The kind of sign we like!" by Simon and Clare Parker (2022)
"Mappleton Bridge" by Sarah Lanchbury (2021) "Mappleton Bridge" by Sarah Lanchbury (2021)
"Youlgreave Swimming Area" by Sarah Lanchbury (2021) "Youlgreave Swimming Area" by Sarah Lanchbury (2021)
"A Beautiful Old Handcart" by Pauline Ellington (2017 Photo Competition Winner) "A Beautiful Old Handcart" by Pauline Ellington (2017 Photo Competition Winner)
"Hey! You have Grass in your Teeth" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Hey! You have Grass in your Teeth" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"River Bradford at Youlgreave" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "River Bradford at Youlgreave" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Hay Dale" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Hay Dale" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Cave Dale" by Val Ball (2017) "Cave Dale" by Val Ball (2017)
"Approaching Parwich" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Approaching Parwich" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Ancient and Modern from Bonsall to Tissington" by Val Ball (2017) "Ancient and Modern from Bonsall to Tissington" by Val Ball (2017)
"Cave Dale" by Rod Bird (2016 Photo Competition Winner) "Cave Dale" by Rod Bird (2016 Photo Competition Winner)

Customer reviews from the Limestone Way

“All the arrangements worked perfectly, the accommodation was excellent, so was the walking and even the weather wasn't bad.”
Mr Petch, UK
“Contours staff were helpful, well informed and very efficient at all times during the booking of this year’s walking holiday.”
Mr Pearce, UK
“Found it very well organised and enjoyable. Accommodation good; baggage handling seemless; taxi services efficient and friendly. Very well organised generally.”
Mrs Dimbleby, UK
“The path was gorgeous! We did a ‘bio blitz’ with a fun app called iNaturalist and we found 157 species on this one path. My mother is converted – she’ll never go back to car tourism again. We had the time of a lifetime.”
Dr Davidson, USA
“A fantastic walk through stunning countryside! We’ve already booked another holiday with you.”
Mrs Parker, UK
“3rd Contours walking holiday and unless you find some way of controlling the weather then couldn’t be better. Thank you.”
Mr Barker, UK
“Brilliant tour! We loved the Peak District and the organisation was excellent. We also had perfect weather, very good accommodation and great pubs for dinner. We loved every bit of it. This was my third trip with Contours and I can recommend it to everyone.”
Ms Ettelt, UK
“It was lovely to explore places close to home which we hadn't visited before, and without just driving through them. A lovely walk with all arrangements running smoothly. This was already our 6th walk, and we're planning our next year's walks with you.”
Mrs Ellington, UK
“The weather was excellent for walking. We enjoyed walking the Limestone Way long distance path.”
Mrs Hessey, UK
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