Hayfield to New Mills Circular Walk

4.7 miles (7.5 km)

The popular village of Hayfield is a great base for exploring some of the highlights of the High Peak area of the Peak District National Park. It's proximity to Lantern Pike, Kinder Reservoir, Kinder Downfall and Kinder Scout are particularly attractive.
There's also the Sett Valley Trail, Pennine Bridleway and Pennine Way long distance footpaths running through the area.
This circular walk takes you to neighbouring New Mills using the Sett Valley Trail. You then return through the countryside on public footpaths. The trail runs for about 7.5 km or 4.7 miles.
There's also a short circular walk in the village taking you east through the pretty village and then along the River Sett to Bowden Bridge. It's about 2 miles in length using paths on both sides of the water. On the southern side of the river you can use a section of the Pennine Bridleway. You can follow it a little further south to visit Elle Bank where there are some splendid countryside views.
To continue your riverside walking pick up the Sett Valley Trail and follow it in the other direction towards New Mills where you can visit the splendid Torrs Riverside Park and Millennium Way. It's a delighful spot with a beautiful river gorge and a 160 metre long walkway�elevated over the waters of the River Goyt. Here you can also see the Torrs Hydro, a�micro hydroelectric scheme which makes enough electricity to supply 70 homes.
Please scroll down for the full list of walks near and around Hayfield. The detailed maps below also show a range of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths in the area.

Hayfield Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Hayfield Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

New - Walks and Cycle Routes Near Me Map - Waymarked Routes and Mountain Bike Trails>>

Hayfield OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Hayfield Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Hayfield

Kinder Scout Walk From Hayfield - An epic circular walk from Hayfield, visiting Kinder Reservoir, Kinder Downfall and Kinder Scout
Kinder Reservoir - This walk takes you to Kinder Reservoir from Hayfield along the Snake Path
Lantern Pike - This climb to Lantern Pike from Hayfield makes use of the Pennine Bridleway
Kinder Downfall - Climb to the tallest�waterfall�in the Peak District on this circular walk from the Peak District village of Hayfield
Torrs Riverside Park and Millennium Way - This special park in New Mills takes you through a beautiful river gorge with a fabulous 160 metre long walkway�elevated over the water.
Mellor - This circular walk takes you up to the Mellor Cross on Mellor Moor in Greater Manchester.
Marple Bridge - This pretty village in Greater Manchester has some nice river and canalside trails to try
Rowarth - This delightful little hamlet is located in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, near New Mills and Marple Bridge.

Pubs/Cafes

After your walk we recommend heading to the appropriately named Lantern Pike Inn in Hayfield. The interesting old pub dates from 1792, and has a very good menu. There's also a nice outdoor seating area where you can relax outside and enjoy views of the surrounding hills. You can find the pub in the village on 45 Glossop Rd, Little Hayfield with postcode SK222NG for your sat navs. The pub also does accommodation so you can stay over here if you need to.
The Peak District Pub Walk - The Inn Way starts and finishes in the village. The circular route takes you to over 50 pubs in the National Park. It's a great one for those into walking and pub history.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just a couple of miles north west there's the pretty little hamlet of Rowarth. Here you will find the Little Mill Inn, a delightful Grade II listed inn set in a former candlewick mill,�with a waterwheel in the adjacent stream. The historic mill is well known locally and includes an outdoor area with ducks and geese on the river, chickens roaming free and rabbits in a large outdoor pen.

Photos

Hayfield Church Street. Historically, Hayfield was a mill village, with the cotton industry playing a significant role in its development during the 18th and 19th centuries. The remnants of its industrial past can still be seen in the old mills and weavers’ cottages that line its streets. The village was also closely linked to the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass of 1932, a landmark event in the fight for public access to the countryside, which ultimately led to the creation of national parks in the UK.

Hayfield War memorial. Today, Hayfield retains much of its traditional charm, with stone-built houses, cosy pubs, and independent shops. The Sett Valley Trail, a former railway line turned walking and cycling route, connects the village to New Mills, offering a peaceful journey through meadows and woodlands. The surrounding landscape is rich in wildlife, with curlews and skylarks frequently spotted on the moors, while the nearby woodlands support a variety of bird species and wildflowers. Whether visiting for its history, natural beauty, or excellent walking opportunities, Hayfield remains a quintessential Peak District village.