The Peak District National Park can be divided into the Dark Peak and the White Peak area.

The Dark Peak - GOLD

This area lies in the northern half of the National Park. The landscape is one of great contrast: the high-lying moors on a plateau covered by a thick layer of peat and flanked by steep edges on 'millstone' grit. The plateau is dissected by a few broad valleys lying on shale. All the farms are concentrated in the valleys. Several of the valleys have been used to construct water reservoirs.

The Dark Peak area can be found on the 1:25.000, Dark Peak, map (Explorer OL 1) or the 1:50.000, Sheffield & Huddersfield, map (Landranger Series no.110).

Wild Country The area designated as 'Wild Country' and mainly used at Gold level, is the approximate area of 'Access Land' marked on the 1:25,000 Dark Peak map. This starts north of gridline 85. Access Land can be found on much of the high, unenclosed moorland area of the Dark Peak. The CRoW Act is in force on Access Land which allows the public certain rights to freer access. Access points must always be observed, as well as local closures such as for grouse shoots (12 August - 10 December) and fire prevention. See www.openaccess.gov.uk/wps/portal within 5 days of the start of any venture. Wild camping is not permitted without express written permission of the landowner (unlikely to be given on open moorland).

The White Peak - SILVER & BRONZE

The White Peak area can be found in the centre and south of the Peak District National Park. The landscape of rolling farmland with scattered farms, is dissected by steep sided, narrow dales. The area lies on a rock called 'limestone'. The White Peak area is flanked by low moorland to the east and west. The whole area offers an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways and is appropriate for groups at Bronze and Silver levels. Some Gold teams might consider starting or finishing a venture in these moorland areas - advice can be given by the Peak Assessor Co-ordinator.

The White Peak area can be found on the 1:25,000, White Peak, map (Explorer OL 24) or the 1:50,000, Buxton, Matlock & Dove Dale, map (Landranger Series no.119).

The western (Staffordshire) and north-western (Cheshire) sides of the Peak District can present more physically-challenging routes with a greater degree of remoteness.

    
The well-known
    dales, e.g. Dovedale and Lathkill Dale, should only be used for
    short sections as their linear routes offer little navigational challenge.

    
The same applies
    to the Trails, disused railways, such as the Tissington and High
    Peak Trails.

    

Notification All Teams planning a venture in the 'wild country' area of the Dark Peak must notify the Peak Panel unless the venture is accompanied throughout. Gold Teams are expected to plan their expedition in the 'wild country' area. Bronze and Silver Teams would normally not venture into 'wild country', unless the Team has exceptionally high levels of experience and is trained to Gold level. Notification of 'wild country' ventures must be submitted 6 weeks in advance if an assessor is required and 4 weeks in advance if an assessor is not required. Silver Teams asking for assessment in 'normal country' will also be expected to give 6 weeks' notice. The Panel would appreciate expeditions planned in the area of 'normal country' to be notified using the local "red" form. Please email the Peak Expedition Co-ordinator for a copy or download it off the Award's website www.theaward.org . The following documentation is required for wild country notification: 2 copies of the Award's Notification form plus 2 copies of the route tracing (the Peak Panel is happy to accept tracings, no larger than A3 please, on the 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 scale). Please send a stamped SAE for acknowledgement. We are more than happy to accept routes prepared on any of the the popular versions of digital mapping software (eg Memory-Map). The electronic Green Form can be used in conjunction with these routes.