Fire Risk in the Peaks: There have been numerous fires in the Peaks. These fires not only kill the ground level vegetation but also can go deep underground and destroy the underlying peat. There are signs all around the Peak District indicating that naked flames be they fires, barbecues, stoves or indeed any naked flames are banned in the Peak District. There is a hefty fine if these rules are broken. Take care when out walking and protect the Peaks. [July 2026]

Mam Tor - The Great Ridge.

Mam Tor - The Great Ridge.
Hill Summit : Mam Tor[SK127836, 517m.]
Hill Summit : Lose Hill[SK153853, 476m.]
Start : Castleton Car Park The main car park in Castleton.[SK149830 200m ]
Summary : Mam Tor - Losehill Farm - Lose Hill - Back Tor - Mam Tor - Cave Dale - Castleton
distance : 11.5km.
ascent : 400m.
time : 4hr. 10min.

The Great Ridge, which encompasses Lose Hill, Back Tor, and Mam Tor, forms a prominent landmark overlooking the western portion of the Hope Valley. This route ascends the ridge along its eastern boundary, navigating the Castleton skyline toward Mam Tor. From there, the route descends into limestone countryside, continuing through open fields and down Cave Dale before returning to Castleton.


Edale

Current Weather

Last Updated today at : 22:50:57

Overall : clear sky
Temperature : 9degC.
Wind Speed : 16km/hr.
Wind Direction : E
Clouds : clear sky
Precipitation : none
Sunrise : 06:03:05
Sunset : 17:52:48
: Times are GMT add 1 hour for BST

Data from openweathermap.org

Begin at Castleton, following the path adjacent to the stream near the main car park. Proceed along the stream and past a small residential street until reaching the main road. Turn left onto Hollowford Road to exit the village, and continue until reaching the track on the right by the Training Centre. Follow this track past the Environmental Centre to the signposted footpath. Continue along the path, navigating through the gates and turns, until reaching the area just below Losehill Farm. Here, take the signposted path to the left that ascends the hill. After passing through the final gates, you will arrive at the summit of Lose Hill (Ward's Piece). (3kms. 300m. 1hrs. 30min.)

Traverse the full expanse of the Great Ridge, where the summit of Lose Hill offers panoramic views of the route ahead along a well-defined, wide footpath. Descend Lose Hill and ascend Back Tor, taking a moment upon reaching Hollins Cross to look back at Back Tor to appreciate its dramatic western face. Hollins Cross serves as the pass connecting Castleton and Edale, marked by a direction dial. Continue along the broad path as it ascends toward the summit of Mam Tor. Marked by its trig point. Mam Tor is one of the most prominent and frequently visited locations in the Peak District. (3.5kms. 100m. 1hrs. 20min.)

Proceed into the White Peak area by descending Mam Tor along the clearly defined path. Upon reaching the road, turn left, pass through the gate, and continue down through the field to meet the Winnats Pass road. Cross the road and go through the gate onto the track leading toward Rowter Farm. Follow this well-maintained track to the crossroads (Grid Ref: SK135813). Turn left (east) to join the Limestone Way heading toward Cave Dale. Follow the path across the fields before descending into Cave Dale, noting that the valley narrows significantly in several places and features notable limestone rock formations along its walls. Pass through the gate at the base of the dale to re-enter Castleton, then follow the village streets back to the car park. (5kms. 0m. 1hrs. 30min.)

Gemini [AI] has been used to improve the text in this description.

4th December 2024 A cold and misty day but well worth the walk up to the summit of Lose Hill and along the Great Ridge. Rather than follow this route onto Cave Dale, I descended the broken road back to Castleton. I didn't fancy the descent of Cave Dale when it was likely to be very wet and slippy.

11th December 2023 A wet day that did not clear up as forecast. Set off from Castleton and up Cave Dale, usually I have walked this route the other way. Once on the top walked along the path to the road. By which time the rain was too much, so descended the road rather than attempting Mam Tor. It would not have been worth it.

14th September 2023 A day with a poor forecast of rain but decided to go out anyway. Yes there was cloud around but it cleared over the day. The views were not clear but were atmospheric. A good example of going out despite the weather forecast as there are some great experience to be obtained even on a not perfect day.

3rd January 2020 Mam Tor is one of the most popular hills in the Peak District and today was no different despite the cold damp and wind later on. Very slippy underfoot; do they make special mud here? Decided against Cavedale as this is slippy at the best of times and it would be treacherous today. Walked down the old road. Surprising how much it has slipped since the closure in 1979.