The Peak District & Derbyshire

Mam Tor circular walk

A steep sided mountain with a valley below in low early evening light. Two walkers in silhouette are just about discernible on the top of the mountain. — Mam Tor | © National Trust Images/Joe Cornish

The stone surfaced footpath from the car park to the top of Mam Tor will reward you with one of the most dramatic vistas in the Peak District. From the viewpoint you can see 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.

Near to

Kinder, Edale and the High Peak

Start point

Start: Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Duration2 hours

Dog friendly**

*Mostly moderate walking on good paths, with some steps and steep climbs.
**Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on this route.

Plan ahead

It can be extremely busy here on weekends. The Mam Nick car park and others in the area will fill up quickly by 9am during peak periods, so please plan ahead before leaving. 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. Thanks for helping to look after the Peak District countryside by taking your litter home and not using barbecues or campfires which are not permitted.

Address
Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest stations are Hope and Edale, which are both on the line between Manchester and Sheffield.
On foot
From Castleton village follow the road northwest until you reach point 6 on the map.
Cycling
Pennine Bridleway is 2 miles (3km) west on the road to Chapel-en-le-Frith.
By bus
Service 200, runs from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Castleton, via Winnats Pass, alight Mam Tor. Service 272, runs from Sheffield to Castleton, from where you can walk to the trail or take the 200 bus.
By road
From Castleton take the main road west up Winnats Pass. At the T-junction turn at the top of the pass, turn right and follow the road round, passing the first turning on the right. The car park is next on the right.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on this route. Please keep them on leads at all times as there are farm animals grazing in this area. There are no bins, so please take your dog mess and all litter home with you.
Car park
National Trust Mam Nick car park (near Mam Tor) is a very small car park. If you can't find a space, please return at a less busier time or find an alternative car park. For non-National Trust members please use the Pay by Phone option in Mam Nick car park. Information on how to do this is on the machine. Should you encounter any signal problems when using the Pay by Phone option, you can donate to the Peak District App.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Start: Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832
Stage 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.
Stage 2
Climb the stone steps until the ground begins to level out, not far below the summit of Mam Tor.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 5
Continue to follow the path down to a small monument in a dip in the ridge.
Stage 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.
Stage 7
Walk up the road, through a gate, to a broken road (caused by a landslide).
Stage 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.
Stage 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 and do not enter cave, as there have been recent rockfalls.
Stage 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.
End point
End: Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832
Trail map
Mam Tor circular walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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