Mam Tor circular walk
The stone surfaced footpath from the car park to the top of Mam Tor will reward you with one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Peak District. Please note: We’re finding that popular spots like Mam Tor are getting extremely busy, especially at weekends. We expect that our Mam Nick car park and other car parks in the area will fill up very quickly by 9am on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, so we encourage people to plan ahead before leaving home. This will help us keep our places safe and enjoyable for everyone. We ask that all visitors please park safely and considerately in designated spaces and not on roads or grass verges, as this can block access for farm tenants, local residents and emergency services. We also remind people that BBQs/campfires are not permitted and ask everyone to help us look after our beautiful Peak District countryside by taking their litter home with them.
Know before you go: plan your day out
The viewpoint at Mam Tor stretches north over the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors. This circular route takes you round Mam Tor and has some amazing scenery.
Map
Start:
Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832
1
Climb the steps at the top of the car park and follow the path alongside the road to a small gate and National Trust sign. Go through gate bearing left.
Dramatic views from Mam Tor
Savour the dramatic views from Mam Tor over the Peak District. As you ascend the steps keep an eye out for the special stones in the steps, which hint at the iron age settlers who once lived on this hill.
2
Climb the stone steps until the ground begins to level out, not far below the summit of Mam Tor.
Mam Tor
As you start to climb the steps you can see, on the other side of the road, the thin and unstable beds of shale and sandstone of which Mam Tor is made. Take care! Cliffs and unstable edges. Please keep to the path.
3
Continue on the path up to the summit. This path is stepped and stone pitched and was rebuilt by our Estate Team, replacing the original track.
4
Once you've taken in the views from the trig point, follow the flagstone path north along the ridge until it gets noticeably steeper.
5
Continue to follow the path down to a small monument in a dip in the ridge.
6
Turn right, downhill, back towards Mam Tor. Take the right fork in the path, just before the trees, skirting around the woods. Continue on the path to the road.
7
Walk up the road, through a gate, to a broken road (caused by a landslide).
8
Continue up the broken road and pass through a gate and parking area. Turn left down the track to Blue John Cavern. Take a look in this show cave (not National Trust) to see the rare mineral after which the cave is named.
9
Pass the building that gives access to the mine entrance and go through a small gate and up a grassy path. Bear right at the top of the hill and go through a gate. Cross the field and road and take the left fork, uphill, to the entrance of another cave, Windy Knoll. Take care! Do not enter cave, as there have been recent rockfalls.
10
From the cave, cross the field to a small gate by the road. Cross this road and walk along the grass verge back to the car park. We hope you enjoyed your walk. There are miles and miles of foothpaths across the areas of the Peak District that we care for. They cost £40 per metre to maintain and repair. Please help to keep them accessible for years to come by texting PEAK to 70123 to donate just £3 to their upkeep. Thank you. This is a charity donation service. You will be charged £3, plus one message at your standard network rate. The National Trust will receive 100% of your donation. If you’d rather we didn’t contact you in future, text NOCOMMS NT to 70060. If you wish to discuss this mobile payment call 0203 282 7863. A Registered charity in England and Wales (no: 205846)
Inspirational views
The majestic scenery of Mam Tor has inspired many an artist. Photographers take stunning images of this wonderful landscape at all times of day, year and in all weathers. Some are available for purchase at our Penny Pot Café in Edale.
End:
Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832
