We recently spent some time exploring Castleton and hiked Mam Tor. It’s a stunning place to explore and has plenty of rewarding hikes. Here’s how to walk from Castleton to Mam Tor.
We had a fantastic time exploring the Peak District recently. There are many ways to get to Mam Tor from Castleton. This article covers the route we took from Castleton to Mam Tor and other routes you can take. Here’s how to walk from Castleton to Mam Tor.
We stayed in Castleton and loved it! It’s a great place to spot wildlife, connect with nature, enjoy cosy local pubs and feel totally at peace. It’s a great base as there are many circular walks for you to try nearby.
Mam Tor, meaning mother hill, is also known as The Shivering Mountain. It is 517 metres high and is a very famous walk in the High Peak area of the Peak District. It is the main link between the eastern end of Rushup Edge and the western end of the Great Ridge. It is a very well-loved ridge walk in the Peak District National Park.
Mam Tor & Castleton Circular Walk | Moderate
This moderate circular trail is 3 miles and will take around 2 hours. It’s a circular trail, and it is dog friendly, but it is advised to keep them on a lead as there is often wildlife such as sheep grazing and steep edges.
We love this rewarding circular route. It boasts one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Peak District. You begin this route from the steps at the bottom of the car park, then follow the path alongside the road, leading you to a small gate and National Trust sign.
Pass through the gate and make sure to stay to the left. Ahead of you will be a steep climb of stone steps. Climb up the stone steps, and the ground will level out just below the Mam Tor Summit. Once you reach the summit, continue to follow the path along the ridge until you reach a small monument.
From the monument, take a right turn and head downhill back towards Mam Tor, then take the right fork in the path. Continue on the way until you reach the road. Go through a gate to a broken road. Follow this road, and then you will pass through a gate and parking area. Turn left towards Blue John Cavern.
Continue past Blue John Cavern and head through a small gate onto a grass path. Bear right at the top of this hill and go through another gate. Once you have crossed the field, take the left fork until you reach the entrance of Windy Knoll cave. Please take care here and do not enter the cave. There have been recent rockfalls.
Finally, cross over the field until you reach a small gate by the road. Cross this road and walk along the grass. You will soon be back at the car park. If you want to make this walk more accessible and just see the summit, you can head back down the way you went up the stone steps. Follow the full route here.
Castleton to Mam Tor Via The Great Ridge | Moderate/Difficult
(This is a moderate 7 mile walk with the option to extend this to a more difficult 8 mile walk.)
This Castleton to Mam Tor walk Via The Great Ridge is considered one of the best ridge walks in the UK, and it is nearly 7 miles in length. It guides you through some of the prettiest parts of the Peak District, boasting views of Edale, Hope Valley and as far as the edge of Kinder Scout. This trail is dog friendly, but it is advised to keep them on a lead as there is often wildlife such as sheep grazing and steep edges.
This walk begins from the central car park located at Castleton. Soon you will wander past Treak Cliff and Blue John Cavern. Both are unique show caverns and two popular attractions in the Peak District. Both are worth a visit if you have time and fancy a little adventure! They are the home to eight of the fourteen known varieties of Blue John stone, an ornamental fluor-spar. The mineral has been mined here for centuries and continues to be in the winter months. They also both have cafes where you can pick up sandwiches, crisps, homemade cake, hot and cold drinks, and a selection of ice lollies to keep you going.
From here, Mam Tor is ahead of you. It’s a quick but steep climb to the top. From Mam Tor, you will walk to the top of Back Tor and then onto Lose Hill Pike, which has stunning panoramic views of some of the most idyllic parts of the Peak District.
You can extend this route by taking a stroll along the riverside via Hope and returning to Castleton. This makes it roughly 8 miles. Both Hope and Castleton are pretty villages to explore and enjoy something to eat and drink. One of the most popular pubs in Castleton is the Cheshire Cheese Inn. Give them a try.
You can follow the full route here.
We loved escaping the bank holiday chaos, exploring the Peak District, and climbing Mam Tor. We will be back again to try more of the walking routes here. The views are so worth it. So what is your favourite walking route in the Peak District? And have you ever climbed Mam Tor? Let us know your own experiences in the comments.