Region: Castleton, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire
Walk summary: This 6.4-mile clockwise Mam Tor circular walk starts in Castleton, climbs to the Mam Tor summit and follows the Great Ridge through Hollins Cross and Back Tor to Lose Hill before returning through the farmland below. It has 1,345ft of ascent and takes around 3½–4 hours.
| Distance | 6.4 miles / 10.3km |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,345ft / 410m |
| Time | Approximately 3½–4 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate — a sustained climb, stone steps, rocky ground and an exposed ridge |
| Route | Clockwise circular walk |
| Start and finish | Castleton National Park Centre |
| Main summits | Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill |
| Suitable for | Regular walkers, beginners with reasonable fitness, families and dogs under control |
The Mam Tor circular walk is one of the Peak District’s classic ridge routes. Beginning in Castleton gives you a more complete day than starting from the higher Mam Nick car park: you climb from the village to the 517-metre summit, traverse the Great Ridge and return through the landscape below Lose Hill.
The route is straightforward in good conditions, but it should not be dismissed as an easy stroll. There is a sustained climb from Castleton, several rocky sections and a ridge that is exposed to strong wind. In winter, mud, ice, snow and slippery stone steps can make it substantially harder.
Places to stay: Castleton has pubs, cafés, B&Bs and cottages within reach of the route. You can find accommodation in Castleton or browse more Peak District accommodation.
Mam Tor circular walk map, GPX and parking
- Parking and start: Castleton National Park Centre, Buxton Road, Castleton
- GPX: Download the Mam Tor circular walk GPX
- Route apps: View the route on Outdooractive or Komoot
- Facilities: Castleton has public toilets, cafés, pubs and shops. There are no guaranteed refreshments on the ridge, so carry what you need.
The ridge is obvious in clear conditions, but the farmland paths on the return contain several junctions, gates and rights of way. Download the GPX before setting out rather than relying on mobile signal.
Mam Tor circular walk route description
Begin at Castleton National Park Centre in the heart of the village. Castleton is an excellent start and finish because everything you need is close to the car park. We arrived early, enjoyed the quieter atmosphere and later returned for food after completing the walk.
Leave the car park and follow the route west through Castleton. The first section includes a short stretch of road walking before you reach the paths and steps climbing towards Mam Tor. Take care around traffic and keep children and dogs close.
The route climbs beyond the village towards the slopes of Mam Tor, passing close to Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. We did not visit either cavern on this walk, but they can make useful additions to a longer day in Castleton.
The ascent continues through green farmland and along stony paths. Look back as you climb for expanding views over Castleton, the Hope Valley and Winnats Pass. You will cross gates and stiles on working farmland, so keep dogs under close control around livestock and close every gate behind you.
The Shivering Mountain and old A625 road
Mam Tor is known as the “Shivering Mountain” because its layers of shale and sandstone have produced repeated landslides. The remains of the old A625 provide the clearest evidence: damaged tarmac bends and steps across the hillside where movement repeatedly affected the road.
Remain on the recognised paths. The landslip slopes are unstable, and leaving the path contributes to erosion while potentially leading onto loose ground.
Climbing to the Mam Tor summit
Near Mam Nick, join the stone-pitched path towards the summit. This is the final part of the sustained climb from Castleton. The staircase is well constructed, but the stones can become slippery in rain, frost, snow or ice.
Views open north across the Edale Valley towards Kinder Scout, while Castleton and the Hope Valley spread out to the south.
Mam Tor’s 517-metre summit is marked by a trig point and the remains of an ancient hillfort. On a clear day you can pick out Kinder Scout, Rushup Edge, Edale, Castleton, the Hope Valley and the ridge stretching east towards Lose Hill.
The summit is extremely popular, particularly at weekends, during school holidays and around sunrise and sunset. An early weekday start offers the best chance of finding quieter paths. We stopped here for the coffee and cake we had carried with us before continuing along the ridge.
Walking the Great Ridge to Hollins Cross
From the trig point, follow the paved path east along the Great Ridge. The ridge separates the Edale Valley to the north from Castleton and the Hope Valley to the south. It is broad and straightforward in normal conditions, but exposed to wind from both sides.
The path descends steadily from Mam Tor on flagstones and stone pitching. These surfaces protect the landscape from erosion but can become slippery when wet or frozen. Continue to Hollins Cross, the lowest point between Mam Tor and Lose Hill and a meeting place for several historic paths.
Back Tor and Lose Hill
Continue along the crest towards Back Tor. Its rocky summit is more abrupt than Mam Tor and introduces one of the steeper sections of the ridge, although it remains manageable for regular walkers in good conditions.
From Back Tor, descend briefly and begin the final ridge climb to Lose Hill. Looking back provides the classic view of the Great Ridge sweeping west towards Mam Tor.
Lose Hill stands at approximately 476 metres and marks the eastern end of this ridge traverse. Its summit viewpoint looks across the Hope Valley, Edale and surrounding moors, with Win Hill to the east and Kinder Scout dominating the northern skyline.
Returning to Castleton
Leave the main ridge and descend south through the fields. The path is fairly steep in places and can become muddy or slippery after rain. As you lose height, the open ridge gives way to enclosed farmland, dry-stone walls and working farms.
Follow the GPX route carefully through this section. Several tracks, gates and public rights of way cross the lower slopes, making the return less obvious than the ridge itself.
Continue along the tracks and lanes towards Castleton. Peveril Castle becomes increasingly prominent above the village as you approach the National Park Centre and complete the circular walk.
Mam Tor walk practicalities
- Parking: Start at Castleton National Park Centre. Popular Peak District car parks can fill quickly, so arrive early on weekends and during holidays.
- Difficulty: Moderate. The main challenge is the sustained climb from Castleton, followed by smaller climbs over Back Tor and Lose Hill.
- Underfoot: Road, field paths, stone steps, flagstones and rocky ridge paths. Wear boots or sturdy walking shoes with reliable grip.
- Weather: The ridge is exposed. Wind, rain, ice and snow can make the route colder, more slippery and more demanding than Castleton below.
- Children: Suitable for active children who can comfortably manage the distance and ascent, with close supervision on roads and the ridge.
- Dogs: Suitable for capable dogs, but keep them under control and use a lead around livestock.
- Food and toilets: Castleton has excellent facilities before and after the walk. Carry food and water for the route itself.
Preview the route in 3D
Watch the route before setting out to understand the climb from Castleton and the Great Ridge section.
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More Peak District walks: Explore my Peak District walking guides or try the Kinder Scout circular walk from Edale.