About Us
“The Journey to the destination has always been the joy rather than the destination itself, moving through an environment that has become alien in our comfortable lives brings rewards far greater than in the moment”
Paul – Dark peak Guides
About Us
“The Journey to the destination has always been the joy rather than the destination itself, moving through an environment that has become alien in our comfortable lives brings rewards far greater than in the moment”
Paul – Dark peak Guides
About dark peak guides
Dark Peak Guides are based in the rugged and dramatic northern part of the Peak District National Park, known as the Dark Peak. This area, characterized by its wild moorlands, gritstone edges, and challenging terrain, offering incredible opportunities for walking, climbing, and navigating.
This passion for the outdoors has led to exploration of other areas of the United Kingdom and Abroad, and this has created Dark Peak Guides, who wish to share their experiences with you.
Alongside our regular Walks listed on the Guided Walks Tab, we can also assist in putting on your Charity Fundraising Events, with a large portfolio of Guides and Medic Support Large Group Events can be catered for:
Please get in touch for more information:
Why Exploration Matters
- Personal Growth: Exploration pushes boundaries, challenges comfort zones, and fosters resilience.
- Knowledge Expansion: It’s an avenue to learn about diverse landscapes, histories, cultures, and perspectives.
- Creativity and Innovation: New experiences spark fresh ideas and open minds to novel ways of thinking.
- Connection with Nature: In physical exploration, such as hiking or traveling, we deepen our appreciation for the environment.
our guides
meet the team
our progress
We're not here just for the walks...
It's all for good causes too.
Money raised
Charities rely on donations for operational costs, such as staffing, technology, and logistics, ensuring they can deliver services effectively.
People helped
Fundraising events often draw attention to causes, educating the public about important social, environmental, or health issues.
walks
Charity walks, are popular fundraising and awareness events organized by charities or community groups. They involve participants walking a designated route, often while raising money through sponsorship.
Helped
By raising money for charity, individuals and groups can create meaningful change, not only for the recipients but also by fostering a sense of purpose and generosity among donors and volunteers.
What do members say
" We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. "
Dark Peak Guides is led by Paul Bridge.
Paul’s passion lies in exploring new places, and this passion has taken him on expeditions to North & South Africa, climbing in the high Atlas & French Alps as well as completing numerous Ultra distance events, including the Winter Spine Race.
With this passion for exploring Paul has attained numerous qualifications, holding the Summer Mountain Leader Qualification, NNAS Gold Instructor, with a Military Background and having previously Volunteered in a Mountain Rescue team have allowed him to hone his skillset over the last 30 years.
When Paul has any spare time, you can find him reading a good novel, planning his next trip, or taking in a classic Hammer Horror movie.
Tim Howell
My love for the outdoors, started from an early age, with family trips to Wales, the Lakes and Scotland.
I was the fortunate enough at attend a Secondary school that whole heartedly embraced outdoor activities and education, from scuba-diving, canoeing to walking, with school holiday trips to the Lakes, the Lowlands of Scotland, the Highlands, Cairngorms and Skye, the school also delivered the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which I participated in.
I wanted to improve my navigational abilities so undertook National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) course, from this I progressed to my Mountain Leader (Summer) Training and Assessment, which was completed in 2015
I have worked as a guide and event manager for the last 9 years, enabling participants, clients to undertake their own personal challenges and achieve their goals, which makes this job the most rewarding, along with being outside. What’s not to like about it?
Stu Westfield
“Stu is a professional Mountain Leader and expedition trekking guide, based in the Peak District at the foot of Kinder Scout. He shares a lifetime’s experience ranging from hills and mountains in the UK to across the African continent. A former aerospace engineer, Stu found his life vocation in guiding adventures. As recognition of many years teaching and leading in the outdoor sector, in 2023 he was awarded Chartered Geographer (C.Geog) by the Royal Geographical Society. He has also studied archaeology with Oxford University, developing a deep interest in pre-history and ancient living skills. In East and Southern Africa he has guided clients to the summit of Kilimanjaro, along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, wildlife treks and uplifting, transformational, experiences on many other remote wilderness journeys”
