The Castleton Ridge in Derbyshire is one of the great ridge walks in the Peak District. Starting from Hope the walk includes Lose Hill and Mam Tor before returning via Castleton to the start.
Technical sheet
n°292965
A Hope walk
posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 21/03/24
(S/E) From the centre of the village walk North along the Edale road to reach a signed footpath on your left (Grid ref. SK 171838) which is just before the lane down to Kilhill Bridge. Follow this for a short way to a cross path and turn right. This path leads without any further navigational problems to Lose Hill Farm from the where the path continues rather more steeply on to the summit of Lose Hill. A topograph provides details of the extensive panorama that is available from here, which includes Kinder Scout, Win Hill and the length of the Castleton Ridge.
(1)Continue along the ridge to Back Tor, Hollins Cross and Mam Tor. The views are good on both sides with Edale to your right and the Hope Valley to your left. Descend from Mam Tor to the road. Turn left and left again down a footpath to reach a road (Grid ref. SK 125831).
(2)Go straight across the road to join a footpath taking the left fork when the path divides. Go straight across the next road and continue on the path to Winnats Head Farm. Follow the road down through Winnats Pass past the entrance to Speedwell cavern to locate a path on your right (Grid ref. SK 139827).
(3)Take this path and follow to Castleton village. Continue through the village and follow the A6187 towards Hope. In under half a kilometre from the village centre take a signed path on your right (Grid ref. SK 153831). Continue on this path crossing a railway line to reach a lane (Grid ref. SK 171832). Turn left up the lane into Hope village.(S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 169 m - Hope village
1 : km 3.08 - alt. 459 m - Lose Hill
2 : km 6.94 - alt. 417 m - Cross road to footpath
3 : km 8.47 - alt. 263 m - Take righthand path
S/E : km 12.75 - alt. 169 m - Hope village
Useful Information
Parking: This route starts from the village of Hope, where parking is available on the south side of the A6187 (Grid ref. SK171834), and ascends Lose Hill before following the Castleton Ridge to Mam Tor. It then descends to Castleton vis Winnats Pass before ending with a pleasant riverside stroll back to Hope.
Note - This walk was undertaken during the Hope village "Well Dressing" and it is worth exploring the village to see the dressed wells. Check with the local tourist information offices for dates.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 06/09/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Really nice walk, accessible to all.
mickseller
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 05/10/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Lovely walk. The climb from Hope to the top of Lose Hill was quite demanding, taking 1hr 10mins in all, but there was more than ample reward once we reached the ridge. Fabulous views to both north and south from Lose Hill to Mam Tor and then plenty of interest down through Winnats Pass and Castleton as we returned to Hope.
There is a path to the left hand side of the road through Winnats Pass, not marked on the map, which is more pleasant than walking on the road itself. Also lots of nice pubs/cafes etc in both Castleton and Hope to choose from.
mrhaanman
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 19/05/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A long incline to start makes the first 2 miles seem much longer but then actually quite an easy walk along the ridges past the pikes and tors with beautiful views on either side.
We found the best great timing for a morning walk to beat the masses at Mam Tor then stop off for lunch in one of the lovely pobs in castleton before that final few Km walk back to hope.
Worth noting that once you reach the triangulation point on the top of Mam Tor, you need to continue straight ahead and down the paved path to get back to the road and not go down the steep grassy stepped path to its left. (as I often have done when just visiting ht Tor.)
Very enjoyable and the weather was kind to us. I know how windy it can get up there so always check the forecast.
sge31
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 30/03/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Really appreciate the GPX version of the walk to open on a GPX viewing app so you can track your progress. Fantastic hike and great direction as it is a high but fairly gradual climb to the top of Lose Hill. Then it is spectacular views left and right as you climb Back Tor and Hollins Cross. The ascent up Mam Tor is not too steep either. Nice flat walk from Castleton to Hope all on footpath no pavement is nice. One option to extend this slightly would be to walk up to Cave Dale and back when you're in the centre of Castleton on the way back.
Sarita J
Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share any photos of it if you have any
Bobwoodcock
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 09/11/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
An excellent walk easy to follow,great views,will do it again.Thanks
brendonwp
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 17/09/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
We chose to do the route in reverse starting at Castleton. This meant climbing the pass on the way up from Castleton, but very scenic. Once up on the ridge the walking was smooth for the first half, with great views all the way along. We left the ridge path before the lookout at the end to start going down (beginning according to the directions).
Highly recommended!to start going down
Bassman650
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 07/05/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
When I saw the walk was deemed to be targeted at the 'average' walker and I was happy to select it. I'm not a total novice but I'm not experienced either, however the steepness of the climbs and descents involved on this walk should,perhaps, have been highlighted more in the walk description.
I had to have a few sit downs on the initial ascent but you do get a sense of achievement once the summit is reached.
The views are tremendous and I was surprised to see people carrying babies in backpacks, bicycles and dogs along the ridge along with small children in inappropriate footwear.
Old, young and middle aged walkers were on the walk and we had some nice conversations along the way. Also the pint of lager and lime (it was two really) quaffed in one of the Hope pubs afterwards was very refreshing indeed.
A lovely walk and glad I completed it. Give it a go if you've never done it but be aware of the steep ascent at the start.
Geo5118
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 10/06/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Did this walk from and to Hope railway station which is about 1km from village centre. Enjoyable moderate walk with great views and places to cut the walk shorter if need arises.
judithchamberlain
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 20/05/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
yes, it was busy but still an amazing walk, easy to follow from map and descriptions
Sharlanddaz
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 07/04/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy like Meadowhall but lovely walk
willie12
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 03/02/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
