Having the Peak District National Park pretty much on the doorstep is a great bonus. It is just a shame that even though it is close getting a chance to enjoy the wide open space is not always easy to fit into a busy lifestyle and also get a glorious weather day too. That said, with a good forecast and a a spare day it seemed opportune to catch the train and explore at least part of the Hope Valley on foot.

The Hope Valley line (trains running between Sheffield and Manchester) has a train every hour at peak times and two hourly at other times and a fair few stations at which you can alight to enjoy this part of the Peak District National Park, Britain's first in 1951, covering an area of approximately 555 square miles.

It really is prime walking countryside with a myriad of footpaths that can be reached from any station so with a decent pair of boots and a good map there are plenty of different routes that you might like to consider. My chosen route from Hope to Edale was around seven miles and took in the climb to Lose Hill and then along the top of the ridge to Mam Tor before dropping down into Edale. Given the train arrival at Hope of 10.40 and there being a train from Edale at just after 15.30 back to Sheffield I was fairly confident that I would arrive with plenty of time for a 'pie and a pint' before catching the train too. I would be rude not to have a beer and food in a country pub when out walking!

Leaving Hope (160m) the climb up to Lose Hill (circa 475m) was at times fairly steep but it was an easy path to follow. From Lose Hill to Mam Tor the path was more akin to a motorway and there was no need for a map (no chance of getting lost on this well trodden and at times flag stoned path) ending up at 517m above sea level while enjoying great views on both sides of the ridge. The drop down into Edale (240m) passing the railway station and the Rambler Inn took me to the Old Nags Head in this popular 'walkers' village. The pub itself dates from 1577 and they were selling a special '1577' beer that had been brewed for this establishment set at the start of the famous Pennine Way.

With a rather filling 'Hikers Special' (consisting of a beef and vegetable pasty, a huge Cumberland ring sausage, hand cut chips and a token sprinkling of fresh vegetables) all washed down with a pint of '1577' I had enough time to visit the Peak District National Park Visitor Centre and have a final pint at the Rambler Inn adjacent to the railway station before heading back to Derby via Sheffield.

It looks as though I may have another spare day next Monday so I hope the weather is as kind as there are many more walks to do in the Peak District National Park (and there are plenty of country pubs to try too!).