Solo Wild Camp in the Peak District

I love the Peak District.
I was lucky to have spent a few years of my life living in Sheffield and would often find myself walking around Lady Bower Reservoir or bimbling up Lose hill.
Even though I now live far away, I always try and venture back when I can.

Pulling up to Hope station I left my car in the lane leading up the train station. It’s been that long since I was last here that there are now parking charges. It’s been a while since I last wild camped in this area. I swiftly down the app and pay £4 for 2 days which is cheap.

Double checking my pack, I hoist it onto my back and set off. This is a route I’ve hiked a few times and despite it being a few years ago, not much has changed. Heading through the station, a commuter train whizzes by below and I cross over. Venturing through fields, up country lanes and into moorland. Kestrels hover above as a Stonechat perches atop some gorse cheeping away. The ground is dry everywhere, even the boggy patches are bone dry. Small streams filter down the the mountainside able to offer drink to the local animals. Rain is due and has been due for the past few days now.

I have little planned on my wild camp. Only that I find a pleasant spot for lunch and then an even nicer spot to pitch my tent. Hiking through the forest, I reach the river which joins with the River Derwent. Leaving the trail, I head down an embankment and have a simple lunch with a great view.

Returning to the forest, I venture along trails and up dry streams. It’s extremely quiet, few birds call out and I hear a cuckoo. I’d spotted a potential spot to camp and returned please to find myself the only human around. Long, green grass creates the perfect bed and I pitch my tent and prepare for bed.

Enjoying left over veggie wraps, I slowly get ready for bed. The rain hasn’t come yet and I wonder if I’ll get away with having to pack away a wet tent. Throughout the night, I odd spots of rain fall but I do escape with dry tent 🙂