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What are the Peak District Ethels? Discover your next walking challenge!
October 15, 2026Archives
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What are the Peak District Ethels? Your guide to bagging a few while on holiday

Love a good walk with a view? Fancy a challenge that takes you beyond the usual Peak District hotspots? Then it's time you discovered the Peak District Ethels!
With 95 hills to tick off, the Ethels offer a brilliant excuse to pull on your walking boots, explore new corners of the countryside and enjoy that satisfying feeling of reaching another summit.
Better still, you don't have to travel far from Hoe Grange Holidays to get started. We have several Ethels close to our farm, including some lovely limestone hills that are much quieter than the famous Peak District peaks.
Whether you're an experienced hill walker or simply enjoy having a destination in mind, why not see how many Ethels you can bag during your next Peak District holiday?
With our cosy log cabins and glamping pods providing a comfortable countryside base, you can spend your days exploring the hills and your evenings putting your feet up or relaxing in the hot tub under the stars. Sounds like your kind of holiday?
Heard of the Ethels? Here's what the fuss is about
You've probably heard of the Munros in Scotland or the Wainwrights in the Lake District. Well, the Peak District has its own hill-bagging challenge, and it's called the Ethels.
There are 95 Ethels, covering the Peak District's hills over 400 metres above sea level, together with a selection of distinctive lower hills that deserve recognition in their own right.
The challenge was launched in May 2021 by countryside charity CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire, following an idea from keen walker and volunteer Doug Colton.
The Ethels range from the modest but lovely Thorpe Cloud, standing at 287 metres above Dovedale, to the much more demanding Kinder Scout at 636 metres, the highest point in the Peak District.
Some Ethels are well-known landmarks. Others are tucked away in quieter corners of Derbyshire, where you might encounter more sheep than fellow walkers.
That's part of the fun!
There's no time limit, no prescribed route and no need to complete them in any particular order. You can bag one on a Sunday afternoon, tackle several over a weekend or make it your mission to conquer all 95.
And who doesn't love ticking something off a list?
Meet Ethel Haythornthwaite, the woman behind the name
The Ethels aren't just named after any old Ethel.
They're a tribute to Ethel Haythornthwaite, a remarkable woman who helped protect the Peak District countryside we know and love today.
Born in Sheffield in 1894, Ethel found comfort in the surrounding hills after her first husband was killed during the First World War. Spending time walking in the countryside became an important part of her life.
She was determined that other people should have the same opportunity to enjoy open spaces, fresh air and beautiful landscapes.
In 1924, Ethel established the organisation that later became CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire. She went on to campaign tirelessly to protect countryside around Sheffield and beyond from development.
Her work helped lay the foundations for the creation of the Peak District National Park in 1951, Britain's first national park.
Without people like Ethel, the landscape we enjoy today could look very different.
So, every time you climb an Ethel, you're doing more than ticking another hill off your list. You're celebrating someone who helped make our wonderful countryside accessible for future generations.
We think that's a rather lovely reason to lace up your boots!
Start your Ethels challenge right on our doorstep
One of the things we love about living at Hoe Grange is having so many wonderful walks close by.
You don't always need to drive to the busy honeypots of the Peak District to find gorgeous scenery and rewarding hills.
In fact, two Ethels worth exploring are within walking reach of Hoe Grange, making our farm an excellent base for starting your hill-bagging adventure.
Harboro' Rocks: A cracking first Ethel
Height: 379 metres

If you fancy starting your Ethels challenge with somewhere a little different, Harboro' Rocks is a brilliant choice.
This distinctive limestone outcrop rises above the High Peak Trail near Brassington, offering impressive views across the rolling Derbyshire countryside towards Carsington Water.
Unlike many of the Peak District's grassy hills, Harboro' Rocks has wonderfully rugged, weathered limestone formations to explore.
There's plenty of history here too.
Harboro' Cave, tucked into the rocks, has revealed evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years, including prehistoric finds.
It's fascinating to think that people were exploring this very landscape long before walking boots and waterproof jackets were invented!
The High Peak Trail passes close to Harboro' Rocks, making it a natural choice for guests staying at Hoe Grange.
The final approach to the rocks is steeper and rougher than the trail itself, so take care, especially when the limestone is wet.
Our tip: Take a flask and allow plenty of time to enjoy the views over Carsington Water from the limestone rock chair called the Kings Chair or Rock Chair. This is one summit where you'll want to stop and look around rather than rush straight back down.
Minninglow Hill: Ancient tombs and stunning views
Height: 372 metres

You've probably spotted Minninglow Hill without even realising it.
Its distinctive crown of beech trees is visible for miles across the limestone plateau, making it one of the most recognisable landmarks in this part of the Peak District.
But there's much more to Minninglow than its unusual silhouette.
Hidden among the trees are the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb and two Bronze Age burial mounds. These ancient monuments remind us that people have lived, travelled and gathered in these hills for thousands of years.
There is something rather special about standing among the trees, surrounded by such a long history.
Minninglow sits close to the High Peak Trail, so you can enjoy a longer walk directly from Hoe Grange or choose a shorter outing from the Minninglow car park.
A marked permissive path leads from the trail towards the ancient burial site. Better still, this path can be explored using our off-road wheelchair, which guests can hire during their stay at Hoe Grange. It's a wonderful opportunity for wheelchair users to enjoy the countryside and discover this fascinating historic site too. As everyone's accessibility needs are different, please chat to us before setting off so we can help you decide whether the route and equipment will work for you.
As you make your way along the High Peak Trail, look out for the impressive old railway embankment and the remains of a lime kiln beside the trail. They're lovely reminders of Derbyshire's industrial heritage and add another interesting stop to your walk.
Our tip: Allow plenty of time to explore. Between the ancient burial chambers, the lime kiln and the beautiful countryside views, there's much more to discover here than simply ticking another Ethel off your list.
Fancy bagging more Ethels during your stay?
Once you've climbed your first Ethel, there's a good chance you'll want to find another!
That's the trouble with hill-bagging. One summit quickly turns into three, and before you know it you're planning your next walking holiday.
The great thing about staying at Hoe Grange is having so many different landscapes to explore, from the rolling limestone hills of the White Peak to the dramatic gritstone edges and moors of the Dark Peak.
If you're keen to add a few more ticks to your list, here are some possibilities.
Thorpe Cloud (287m)
Rising above the famous stepping stones at Dovedale, Thorpe Cloud is one of the Peak District's best-known small hills.
Don't be fooled by its height. The climb to the summit is steep enough to get your heart pumping, but the views over Dovedale and the surrounding countryside are a wonderful reward.
Mam Tor (517m)

Known as the Shivering Mountain, Mam Tor is one of the most recognisable peaks in the Hope Valley.
Its broad summit and sweeping views make it a popular choice for walkers, and you can extend your adventure along the Great Ridge towards Lose Hill.
Kinder Scout (636m)

If you're ready for something more challenging, Kinder Scout is the big one!
At 636 metres, it's the highest point in the Peak District and offers a completely different walking experience from the gentle limestone hills near Hoe Grange.
Expect wild moorland, dramatic gritstone formations, steep approaches and, in places, tricky navigation.
Kinder Scout is also famous for the 1932 Mass Trespass, an important event in the history of public access to the countryside.
It's a fitting hill to include in a challenge named after Ethel Haythornthwaite.
Choose a clear day, allow plenty of time and make sure you're properly equipped. Kinder Scout is a serious hill walk, particularly in poor weather.
There's certainly no need to tackle all 95 Ethels in one go. A few days at Hoe Grange give you the chance to explore different areas, enjoy some quieter hills and perhaps tick off a more iconic summit too.
How to keep track of your Ethels

There's something very satisfying about looking back at all the hills you've climbed, especially when you can watch your collection steadily grow.
Luckily, keeping track of your Ethels is easy.
The free Ethel Ready app, developed by Doug Colton, includes a map of all 95 Ethels, with their names, heights and grid references.
You can mark off each summit as you complete it and see how many you've got left to explore.
Find out more and follow the links to download the Ethel Ready App on the CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire Ethels page.
Of course, an app is no substitute for good navigation.
We recommend taking a proper walking map, checking the weather forecast and planning your route before setting off. OS Explorer OL24 covers the White Peak countryside around Hoe Grange.
Remember that not every Ethel has a public right of way directly to its highest point. Always follow permitted access routes, respect farmland and avoid crossing private land without permission.
Pack a waterproof, some snacks and plenty of water, even when the weather looks promising. The Derbyshire hills have a habit of surprising you!
And if you're walking with your dog, keep it under close control around livestock and follow local signs.
Muddy boots, tired legs and a cosy place to stay

After a day of climbing hills, there's nothing quite like returning to somewhere warm and comfortable, knowing you can put your feet up and relax.
At Hoe Grange Holidays, we're lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful Peak District countryside, with walks and the High Peak Trail right on our doorstep.
Our cosy, well-equipped log cabins make a lovely home-from-home for walkers, with comfortable bedrooms, spacious living areas and everything you need for a relaxing self-catering break.
Or, if you're heading into the hills as a couple, our glamping pods offer a peaceful place to retreat after a day outdoors, complete with your own shower room and kitchenette.
For an extra treat after all those miles, you could even book a relaxing hot tub or sauna experience. Just the thing for weary walking legs!
And there's no need to leave your four-legged walking companion behind. Our log cabins and glamping pods welcome dogs, so they can join you on your Ethels adventures too.
We also have maps and plenty of local knowledge to help you discover some fantastic routes away from the busiest tourist spots.
Whether you're hoping to bag your very first Ethel or work your way steadily towards all 95, we think you'll find plenty to keep you busy here.
Who knows? You might arrive planning to climb just one hill and leave with a whole new walking challenge!
Fancy ticking off a few Ethels on your next holiday? Explore our cosy log cabins and glamping pods at Hoe Grange Holidays and start planning your Peak District walking adventure.
We'll be ready to welcome you back from the hills, muddy boots and all!
Felicity








