Discovering the Peak District Ethels
The Peak District's Ethels form the perfect peak-bagging challenge, with 95 summits to achieve. Will you try to climb them?
Discovering the Peak District Ethels
https://www.contours.co.uk/the-peak-district-ethels
by Christine Saul
‘Peak bagging’ is the popular practice of summitting a large number of fells or peaks, usually as part of a set.
There are several sets in the UK. Most outdoor enthusiasts have heard of Scotland’s Munros, 282 peaks in Scotland over 3000 feet high, and the Lake District’s Wainwrights, 214 fells over 1000 feet high.
But have you heard of the Peak District Ethels?
Nestled in the heart of England, the Peak District National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich history, quaint villages and outdoor adventure.
In May 2021, the Countryside Charity (the CPRE) added to the park by announcing the Peak District Ethels: a collection of 95 Peak District hills that are over 400m above sea level, plus some significant lower hills, scattered across the whole of the Peak District. Together, they offer a whole new ‘peak bagging’ challenge.
The Ethels were created by CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire volunteer Doug Colton, who came up with the idea of the Ethels at the beginning of 2021, thinking that the Peak District deserved a list of peaks to match the popular Monros of Scotland and the Wainwrights of The Lakes.
Colton chose the name ‘Ethels’ to raise the public profile of and pay tribute to the countryside access pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite, who was the founder of The Countryside Charity in 1924 and the driving force behind the Peak District, which was founded as the UK’s first National Park in 1951.
After losing her first husband shortly after they married, Ethel started taking rejuvenating walks in the countryside and moorland surrounding Sheffield.
She discovered the positive impact nature had on her physical and mental well-being, which led to her passion for the countryside and her belief that it should be accessible to everyone so we could all experience those benefits.
With 95 ‘Ethels’ to bag, your adventure will take in breath-taking views across the trig points, hills, tors and edges over the whole of the Peak District National Park, including a handful just outside the border of the park.
The 95 Ethels are split into categories as follows.
The Ethels include five Marilyns. A Marilyn is a hill of any height with a prominence or a drop of 150 metres (nearly 500ft) or more on all sides. They also cover the six country tops of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
Each Ethel offers its own unique perspective of the landscape, making them a perfect goal for those looking to explore the park in depth. The Peak District is renowned for its stunning scenery, and the Ethels provide some of the best vantage points to appreciate it.
From rolling hills and lush valleys to dramatic cliffs and serene moorlands, on a good day, the views from some of these high points are nothing short of breathtaking.
The diverse habitats of the Peak District support a wide variety of wildlife and plant species. As you explore the Ethels, keep an eye out for wildlife such as deer, birds of prey and wildflowers. Each season brings its own unique charm, from the vibrant purple heather on the moors in late summer to the crisp, frosty landscapes of winter.
Many of the Ethels are steeped in history with many being scheduled ancient monuments (nationally important archaeological sites).
For instance, Mam Tor, also known as the ‘Shivering Mountain’ and part of The Peak District's Great Ridge, has ancient hill fort remains dating back to the Bronze Age.
So do many other hills, such as Minninglow with its neolithic chambered tomb and two bronze age burial mounds and Stanton Moor with its stone circle.
Whether you're an experienced hiker or a casual walker, the Ethels offer a range of challenges to suit all levels.
Some peaks require a strenuous climb taking a few hours, while others are more accessible and can be walked to in just half an hour, making them perfect for all ages and abilities to attempt.
The sense of achievement upon reaching the summit is immensely rewarding.
There is a very useful free app called ‘Ethel Ready’ which has a map showing the locations of all 95 Ethels, plus a full list and description of each, which allows you to tick off the Ethels as you walk them to keep a tally.
Some of the Ethels are on private land and their summits are not accessible without the landowner’s permission. In this instance, the app shows the nearest public footpath point to the summit and you can tick off the Ethel once you reach that closest point.
The Peak District Ethels offer a unique and rewarding way to explore one of the UK's most beautiful national parks. Whether you're drawn by the stunning views, the rich history, or the thrill of peak bagging, there's an Ethel waiting for you.
Being lucky enough to live in the southern Peak District and although I have walked over many of the Ethels already over the years, I have set myself the challenge this year to tick off all 95 Ethels again to motivate me to get out walking more locally, and its working with 14% completed already before the end of February.
So, lace up your boots, grab your map and app, and set out to discover the hidden gems and Ethels of the Peak District.
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