If you’re after a walk around Buxton that’s got a bit of everything – cracking views, quiet footpaths, a proper landmark, and a pub at either end – the loop up to Solomon’s Temple and around Grinlow is a solid choice. It’s one of those routes that feels nicely varied without ever being hard going, making it ideal for a half-day wander.
This loop comes in at around 8.7km, took us about 2 hours 36 minutes, and has a total ascent of roughly 223 metres (with about 228 metres of descent). Enough to feel like you’ve earned your pint, but nothing too brutal.
We kicked things off at The Parks Inn on Harpur Hill, which is a great place to start and finish a walk. Parking nearby is usually straightforward, and knowing there’s a pub waiting at the end is always good motivation.
From the pub, we headed down Grin Low Road, leaving the houses behind fairly quickly. It doesn’t take long before the walk starts to feel quieter and more rural, even though you’re still right on the edge of Buxton.
Before long, we picked up the public footpath that passes the Tufa Calcite Terraces (above). This is a really interesting little section of the walk and something a bit different from your usual Peak District scenery. The terraces are easy to miss if you’re not looking out for them, but they’re well worth a pause. In the summer, you’ll be treated to turquoise waters which comes from the quarrying that happens in the area.
From here, the route starts to climb gently through farmland, with open fields and wide skies. It’s not a steep ascent, just a steady pull that gradually lifts you up above the town. Eventually, the path brings you back out near the crossroads of Grinlow Road, where the walk changes character again.
Next up is one of the more unexpected parts of the route. You head up the driveway into the Buxton Caravan and Motorhome Club, following the clearly marked public footpath signs. It might feel a bit odd walking through the site, but the path is well-used and easy to follow.
Once past the caravan site car park, the path heads up the hill towards Solomon’s Temple, and this is where the views really start to open up. Looking back, you get some brilliant panoramas across Buxton and the surrounding hills.
Solomon’s Temple itself is a cracking little landmark. You can admire it from below, but it’s well worth climbing the steps to the top. The views from up there are even better, especially on a clear day, and it’s a great spot for a breather and a few photos.
Leaving Solomon’s Temple behind, we headed away towards the Buxton Riding School, keeping carefully to the public footpaths. This section feels much quieter and more tucked away, especially as the route dips into woodland. It’s a lovely contrast after the open views at the top, and a nice shaded stretch if you’re walking on a warmer day.
The path eventually brings you past Harpur Hill Primary School, which is a clear sign that you’re looping back towards the start. From here, it’s a short stretch up Harpur Hill Road, leading you neatly back to The Parks Inn, where the loop comes to an end.
This is a cracking little loop that shows off just how much variety you can pack into a walk around Buxton. The climb up to Solomon’s Temple is the obvious highlight, with big views across the town and out into the wider Peak District, but there’s plenty more to enjoy along the way – from the quiet farmland and woodland paths to the quirky Tufa Calcite Terraces early on.
At just under 9km, it feels nicely balanced: long enough to feel like a proper walk, but manageable without rushing. The ascents are steady rather than steep, the paths are easy to follow, and finishing back at The Parks Inn is the perfect way to round things off. All in all, it’s an ideal route if you want a scenic half-day walk with a well-earned pint waiting at the end.
