Not Long Now!!

We’ll meet at 1pm Bowden Bridge Car Park before setting off for a relaxed warm-up walk following the scenic Kinder Reservoir and surrounding hillsides. This optional walk is ideal for stretching the legs after travelling without overdoing it before the challenge day. 

• Distance: 7.3 km | Elevation Gain: 260m  

• Time: 2.5-3 hours

• Hike Rating: Moderate

Afterwards, we’ll check into our accommodation, where you can relax and settle in before heading out for dinner at a local pub. A perfect way to unwind and get to know your fellow adventurers after a days hiking. 

The highlight of the weekend.  A classic circular route taking in the highest ridges, trails and summits of the Dark Peak, covering over 21 miles with almost 1,400 m of ascent. Expect rocky paths, grassy ridges, flagstone sections and some famously boggy ground.  The route starts and finishes in Edale village, offering expansive views across the Edale Valley and a strong sense of journey and achievement. 

The Edale Skyline challenge day is led by an additional, experienced Mountain Leader, with the Adventure Women guide also present to support the group. All leaders are qualified Outdoor First Aiders.  

This is a long, committing day and participants must be prepared to carry sufficient food and water for the full route.

• Distance: 34 km/ 21 Miles | Elevation Gain: 1400m
• Long Full Day starting the walk at 8:00am 
• Hike Rating:  Grade 5 (Extreme)

Lunch will be eaten on the walk, and in the evening we’ll likely order a takeaway nearby and relax back at the accommodation after the day’s hiking.

A scenic, recovery walk through the parkland of Lyme Park, with the option to include Park Moor for wider views. This walk is completely optional and designed as a gentle way to finish the weekend.

• Distance: 9 km | Elevation Gain: 300 m 
• Time: –3.5 hours (including breaks)
• Hike Rating:  Grade 2–2.5 (Moderate)

Finish Time: We expect to finish the final day sometime between around 1pm–3pm, although this can vary depending on the route, weather, group pace and whether people decide to stop for a coffee or late lunch together afterwards.

We will be staying at the New Mills Bike Shed. Accommodation includes a mix of solo rooms and shared rooms with bunk beds, along with shared social spaces for relaxing and eating together. The Bike Shed provides a comfortable, sociable base for the weekend.

Facilities include: 

• Mix of Solo and Shared Bunkbed Rooms with Ensuite or Shared Bathrooms (Based on your booking): bedding provided (bring your own towels)
• Self-Catering Kitchen & Dining Room: Fully equipped for meals/ lunch prep
• Living room space for relaxing including open fire
• Patio area
• Amenities include Wi-Fi (can be intermittent) 
• Free Parking (Limited - local parking nearby if needed) 

Address:  The Bike Shed. Hibbert Street, New Mills, SK22 3JJ

Thank you all for your deposit, the remaining balance is due by 8th May.

You will shortly receive an email with an invoice and payment link. 

Included: 

• 2 nights of accommodation 
• 3 guided hikes 
• Qualified guide and outdoor first aider for all activities 
• Additional Mountain Guide for the Edale Challenge day
• Pre-trip Zoom call 
• Detailed trip pack 
• Dedicated WhatsApp group for questions and updates 
• All activity planning and coordination taken care of

Not Included:

• Food & Drink  
• Transportation - Where a drive is required to the start of a walk, participants typically arrange car shares amongst themselves. 
• Travel / Activity Insurance.
• Any "Extras" not mentioned above. 
• Guarantee of Sunshine 

Transportation:

Walks may require a drive to the start point. Transportation is not included, and participants often choose to arrange informal lift shares. 

If you don't drive, please be proactive in making your own arrangements - this may include organising a lift with someone or booking a taxi. 

Please note: Car sharing is entirely optional and at your own risk. Any lift arrangements are private agreements between participants and are not organised or insured by Adventure Women UK. 

We will meet at:

Bowden Bridge Car Park @1pm

Head to: 

165 Kinder Road, High Peak, SK22 2LJ

Google Pin:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/unALM8D5t2G2PbvF7

There is a additional parking along the road if the car par is full  

Please see the detailed food and hydration advise for the Edale Skyline Challenge later in this pack

Breakfasts 

Please bring your own food for breakfast in the accommodation. 

Lunches 

Please eat lunch before the first walk on Friday.

For Saturday & Sunday, lunches can be prepared in the self catering kitchen. Please bring food with you for Lunches and snacks.

There is a Co-op about 5 minutes from the accommodation if you need to pick up supplies during the weekend. 

Dinners 

Will be eating out in local restaurants /Pubs or getting a takeaway in the evenings. 

We will do our best to accommodate dietary requirements where possible. 

If you prefer not to join the group for dinner, you are welcome to use the self-catering kitchen instead.

Please Note:  Food and drink are not included in the trip price.

Good footwear makes a huge difference to how enjoyable your day on the hills feels. Your boots or shoes should be comfortable, supportive and have good grip for uneven, rocky or muddy terrain. Walking boots, trail shoes or approach shoes are all suitable depending on what you normally hike in and what you feel comfortable wearing.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is turning up in brand new boots. Make sure you’ve worn your footwear plenty before the challenge — ideally on longer walks and hills rather than just around town. This helps soften the footwear, reduces the chance of blisters and allows them to mould properly to your feet.

Good walking socks also make a big difference. Choose breathable hiking socks rather than standard sports socks and bring a spare pair if the weather looks wet.

The weather in the Peak District can change quickly, even in summer, so it’s important to pack for warm, wet and windy conditions. Waterproofs are essential, even if the forecast looks good.

At the same time, try not to overload your bag. A heavy rucksack can make long climbs feel much harder than they need to. Stick to the kit list and focus on practical essentials.

Before the challenge, it’s a good idea to test your full kit setup on a practice walk — especially your rucksack. Make sure it fits comfortably, doesn’t rub and that you’re happy carrying it for several hours. Small adjustments can make a big difference over a long day.

A useful tip is to pack items you may need quickly — waterproofs, snacks, gloves or sun cream — near the top of your bag so they’re easy to access on the move.

The Edale Skyline is a long hill day rather than a technical challenge, so building stamina and hill fitness beforehand will make the day far more enjoyable.

The best training is simply getting out walking regularly, especially on hilly terrain. Aim to gradually increase your distance, time on feet and amount of ascent over the weeks leading up to the challenge.

Alongside walking, activities that raise your heart rate — such as swimming, cycling, running or gym sessions — are all useful for improving overall fitness and endurance.

Strength work can help too, particularly for hills and descents. Simple exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups and calf raises are great for building leg strength, while planks and core work help stability and balance on uneven ground.

The key is consistency rather than going too hard too soon. Build up gradually and give your body time to adapt. If you have any injuries or health concerns, it’s always worth checking with a medical professional before increasing your training.

The Edale Skyline is one of the Peak District’s classic long-distance hill days. With around 20 miles of walking, multiple climbs and long stretches exposed to the weather, it’s a challenge that requires more than just determination — fuelling and hydration make a huge difference to how you feel throughout the day.

Many people expect the steep climbs to be the hardest part, but often it’s the cumulative effect of being on your feet for 8–10+ hours that catches people out. Energy levels can drop quickly if you’re not eating and drinking consistently.

You don’t need to do anything extreme the night before the challenge. There’s no need to force down massive bowls of pasta if that’s not your normal routine.

Instead, focus on eating balanced meals and staying well hydrated throughout the day before. Try not to skip meals, avoid excessive alcohol and get a decent night’s sleep where possible.

Breakfast really matters on a long hill day like this. Turning up having only had a cereal bar or coffee is likely to catch up with you later in the day.

Aim for a proper breakfast that includes slow-release energy such as oats, toast, eggs, yoghurt or similar foods that you know work well for you. The goal is to start the day fuelled rather than trying to catch up later.

If you normally drink tea or coffee in the morning, don’t suddenly skip it on challenge day — especially if your body is used to caffeine.

One of the keys to the Edale Skyline is steady pacing and keeping moving. Rather than relying on one big lunch stop, it’s usually better to eat little and often throughout the day.

Keep snacks somewhere easy to reach so you can eat while walking. The descents and flatter sections are a great opportunity to drink, snack and refuel before the next climb begins.

Good options include:

• Bananas 
• Trail mix 
• Nuts 
• Flapjacks 
• Energy bars 
• Sweets or jelly babies 
• Dried fruit 
• Sandwiches or wraps 

A mix of quick sugars and slower-release foods tends to work best.

Although snacks help keep energy levels ticking over, proper food still matters on a long challenge day.

Bring a lunch you’ll actually want to eat, even if you’re tired or the weather turns poor. Sandwiches, wraps, pasta salads or savoury snacks often feel more appealing later in the day than sweet foods alone.

One common mistake is relying entirely on sugary snacks. They can give a quick boost, but they won’t sustain energy for a full day in the hills.

Hydration is hugely important on the Edale Skyline, particularly in warm weather. Even on cooler days, long climbs and exposed terrain can leave you dehydrated quicker than expected.

You should carry at least 2 litres of water, and potentially more if the forecast is warm. Electrolyte tablets or hydration sachets can also help replace salts lost through sweating.

Try to drink consistently throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

Practice your food and hydration strategy on your training walks beforehand. Challenge day is not the time to discover that certain snacks upset your stomach or that your bag is awkward to access every time you need food.

The aim is to keep your energy levels steady, avoid big crashes and make the day as enjoyable as possible.

Commemorate your Edale Skyline Challenge with an official challenge t-shirt! A great keepsake from a big day on the hills — whether you’re tackling the full route, training for the challenge or simply want to remember the experience.

Even better, profits from every t-shirt sold will be donated to MSAR Search & Rescue team, helping support the volunteers who assist vulnerable people in the outdoors year-round.

If you’d like to wear your t-shirt on the challenge itself, we recommend ordering at least 2 weeks before the event to allow time for printing and delivery, as Teemill products are made to order.

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Guides: 

Our Walks are led by a qualified walking leader with Mountain Training UK and Outdoor First Aider. 

Weather: 

We love the sun but if it is having a day off please be aware activities will still go ahead in the rain. However if conditions are unsafe, activities are subject to be changed or cancelled for safety reasons. If we do have to cancel an activity, we'll do our best to arrange an alternative plan for the day. Unsafe weather can include heavy rain, strong wind, snow, thunder & lightning for example.

Terrain: 

Hikes on this trip are Extreme - suitable for those comfortable walking long distances with sustained elevation.

The terrain will vary throughout the weekend and includes rockypaths, rolling moorland, hills, steep ascents and descents, uneven paths,boggy sections, riverside trails, farmland tracks, and sections through woodland. Paths can be narrow, steep, or exposed. Good fitness, sure-footedness, and appropriate footwear are essential, along with confidence on uneven and occasionally steep terrain.

You must be physically fit, well and capable of sustained walking. You are responsible for your own health & Safety and should be confident hiking for several hours in variable conditions. 

Sign Up Form:

Please complete the below sign up form at least 7 days before the start of the trip

https://form.jotform.com/201554976381058

When completing your form, please let us know if you have any injuries, illnesses, or additional needs that could help us plan and manage the walk safely. This is not about excluding anyone - it's so we can be aware, prepared and carry any additional kit if needed to support you on the day. 

Activities, Fitness & Personal Responsibility:

It is your responsibility to ensure you book a trip that matches your current fitness level and experience. Our walks and activities are graded to help guide your choice, but please read the full trip description carefully and consider the distance, elevation, terrain, pace, and any specific requirements.

If, at any point, the activity leader has concerns about your ability to complete a walk within the required time or at a suitable pace—or feels you may not be able to take part safely—you may be asked not to join the activity. This decision is never taken lightly and is made in the interest of the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of the whole group.

Some walks and activities take place in remote or exposed areas, where options to shorten or leave early may be limited. Fatigue, weather conditions, or lack of preparation can present real risks, particularly on multi-day trips.

Outdoor activities carry an element of inherent risk, which cannot be completely eliminated. During guided activities, leaders take all reasonable care to manage the group safely. However, participants remain responsible for their own actions, decisions, and personal safety at all times.

Accommodation & Free Time:
Time spent at the accommodation—including use of kitchens, appliances, outdoor areas, leisure facilities —as well as any time outside of organised activities is considered free time and is not part of the guided programme.

During this time, participants are responsible for their own safety and actions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Adventure Women UK and its leaders are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from personal time or activities undertaken outside of the organised programme.

Participants should follow any guidance or rules provided by the accommodation, local authorities, or relevant signage, and use all facilities and environments sensibly and at their own risk.

Adventure Women UK trips are all about shared experiences — walking, laughing, and adventuring together in a supportive and welcoming environment. To make sure everyone feels comfortable and included, please keep the following in mind throughout the trip:

Be Kind & Inclusive:
Treat everyone with respect, kindness, and patience. We’re all here for the same reason — to enjoy the outdoors and connect with like-minded women. Please help create a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Respect Space & Cleanliness:
Be mindful of shared spaces — whether that’s bunkhouse kitchens, bathrooms, or common areas. Keep your gear tidy, clean up after yourself, and be considerate of others’ need for quiet time or rest.

Be Considerate & Encouraging:
We all come with different experiences, comfort levels, and strengths. A positive attitude and consideration for others help create a relaxed and enjoyable group dynamic. Support goes both ways — everyone contributes to making the trip a great experience for the whole group.

Follow Safety Guidance:
Please follow your leader’s instructions at all times and stay within the planned route. If you notice anything unsafe or feel unwell, let a leader know straight away. The use of alcohol or anything that could impair judgement during activities is not permitted.

Environment & Community:
We follow Leave No Trace principles — take all litter home, respect wildlife, and stick to paths where possible. We’re guests in the landscapes and communities we visit, so please be polite, responsible, and respectful towards local people and places.

Confidentiality & Privacy:
What’s shared within the group stays within the group. Respect personal boundaries, and never share others’ stories or photos without permission.

By joining this trip, you’re agreeing to uphold the Adventure Women UK ethos — one of kindness, inclusion, responsibility, and adventure with integrity.

We kindly ask everyone to treat the accommodation with respect throughout the trip.

Participants are responsible for any damage or loss caused to the property, its contents, or facilities during their stay. Any breakages or damage must be reported as soon as possible. Where damage is attributable to an individual, the cost of repair or replacement may be charged to that participant.

Before departure, all guests are expected to leave the accommodation in a clean and tidy condition. This includes basic tasks such as washing up, removing personal belongings and rubbish, and leaving shared spaces as they were found. This is a light clean rather than a full deep clean, but helps ensure we meet the property’s checkout requirements.

Thank you for helping us look after the places we stay.

Please note: By RSVPing yes to any event you are agreeing to our Ts&Cs

You acknowledge that outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, drowning, exposure to extreme weather, equipment failure, medical emergencies, serious injury and death and voluntarily assume all such risks. For more details, visit: https://adventurewomen.co.uk/ts%26cs

Personal insurance is recommended for all of our trips. Adventure Women cannot advise on policies.