Castleton, Hope Valley, England
By The Alpines · Updated 2025-02-15 · 7 min read
The Great Ridge between Mam Tor and Lose Hill is the most popular walk in the Peak District — and deservedly so. It's a proper ridge walk with genuine mountain character, but at a height and distance that suits beginners and families. The route follows a well-made flagstone path along a narrow grassy crest with the Hope Valley falling away on one side and the Edale valley on the other.
Mam Tor — the "Mother Hill" or "Shivering Mountain" (named for the constant landslips on its east face) — is the high point at 517m. From there the ridge undulates southeast over Hollins Cross and Back Tor to Lose Hill, each summit giving new angles on the surrounding landscape. The views are superb throughout: Kinder Scout and the Dark Peak plateau to the north, the White Peak limestone dales to the south, and the village of Castleton tucked into the valley below.
The circular version — up Mam Tor, along the ridge, down to Castleton, and back through the valley — makes a satisfying half-day walk with a pub stop in Castleton to finish. This is hill walking made accessible, and it's easy to see why it's many people's first proper walk in the Peak District.
Start from the Mam Nick car park on the road between Edale and Castleton. A stepped stone path leads directly up to the summit of Mam Tor — it's steep but paved and takes about 15 minutes. The summit is a broad grassy top with a trig point and panoramic views. On clear days you can see across to Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, and the Derwent moors.
Follow the flagstone path along the ridge southeast. The route drops to Hollins Cross (a popular shortcut point), climbs over Back Tor, and finishes at Lose Hill. The ridge is never narrow enough to be intimidating but feels airy and exposed — a genuine ridge walk. Each summit gives different views and the walking is joyful on a clear day.
Descend from Lose Hill to the Hope Valley and follow the path into Castleton. The village has several good pubs (the George, the Castle, the Bull's Head) and cafes. Return to Mam Nick via the valley road or the path through the fields beneath the ridge — a gentle finish to the walk.
Mam Tor and the Great Ridge are walkable year-round. Spring and autumn are the best seasons — clear skies, manageable temperatures, and fewer people. The ridge is at its most atmospheric in autumn with low cloud filling the valleys.
Summer weekends are extremely busy — the Mam Nick car park fills by 9am and the flagstone path becomes a procession. Weekday visits are far more peaceful. Winter is fine in dry or frosty conditions and can be spectacular, but the ridge is very exposed in high winds. Ice on the stone steps of Mam Tor is the main winter hazard.
An easy ridge walk on well-made paths. The initial climb of Mam Tor is the steepest section. The ridge itself undulates gently. Suitable for anyone with basic walking fitness — one of the best introductory hill walks in England.
380m total ascent spread across several gentle climbs on paved and grassy paths
The ridge is open and exposed to wind — not technically difficult but can be cold and blustery
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Last updated: 2025-02-15 · 7 min read