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Mam Tor & Hollins Cross from Mam Nick

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Great Ridge Castleton

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.0 miles / 4.9 km    Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Time - 2 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Mam Tor & Hollins Cross from Mam Nick
Click image to see photo description.

This short Peak District walk includes the most dramatic section of Castleton's Great Ridge with expansive views to the north and south across a wide area of the National Park. The route follows well used paths throughout although appropriate footwear is still recommended.

The start is the pay and display car park (grid ref. SK123832) below Mam Nick. After parking exit on the northern side of the car park climbing up to the road below Mam Nick. Continue by taking the path off to the right which climbs, steeply in places to reach the summit of Mam Tor. To the north the view covers with wide valley of Edale with the Kinder Plateau beyond. Ahead is the Great Ridge which terminates at Lose Hill. To the south lies Castleton with the hills and dales of the White Peak forming a scenic background.

To continue descend on the flagged path walking east towards Lose Hill. The path descends gently reaching a crossroads of paths at Hollins Cross in just under a mile (grid ref. SK136845). From Hollins Cross the onward path descends to your right, doubling back down towards Mam Farm (grid ref. SK133841). Continue down to reach a track and bear right past Mam Farm, which is to your left. Stay on the track and continue ahead to reach the remaining section of the old road (grid ref. SK132838). Go straight ahead on the old road which was destroyed during a major landslip when a large section of the southern face of Mam Tor slid into the valley.

Reaching the access road for Blue John Cavern (grid ref. SK131832), turn left and continue towards this famous show cave. At the end of the access road, turn right onto a signed footpath which leads to Winnats Head Farm (grid ref. SK130829). Here bear right with the farm to your left and continue across fields to reach a road (grid ref. SK127829). Cross the road and take the footpath opposite. This leads northwest across rough ground to reach another road. Turn left along the road and the car park is on your right.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1688 Old Dam & Sparrowpit from Mam Nick moderate9.0 miles
Walk 1159 Grindsbrook & Edale Head from Edalemoderate7.5 miles
Walk 1264 Rushup Edge & Crowden Towermoderate10.0 miles
Walk 1295 Ringing Roger & Edale Crossmoderate10.0 miles
Walk 2595 Castleton Great Ridge from Edalemoderate8.5 miles
Walk 2615 The Kinder Edgesmod/hard18.0 miles
Walk 3350 Kinder Scout Summitmoderate8.5 miles
Walk 1113 Ringing Roger & Grindslow Knollmoderate5.5 miles
Walk 1300 Hope Cross & Ringing Rogermoderate8.0 miles
Walk 2378 Rushup Edge & Mam Tormoderate10.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Dark Peak Walks

Dark Peak WalksGuidebook to 40 walks in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. 35 circular routes for most abilities, from 8km to 19km, around Edale, Marsden, Fairholmes, Baslow and Castleton, including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor, and 5 longer (25km to 45km) routes highlighting the best of the Gritstone Edges, High Moorland and Deep Valleys.
More information

Walking in Derbyshire

Walking in DerbyshireWalking guidebook to 60 circular day walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Includes the Derwent, Wye and Trent river valleys, near Derby, Matlock, Glossop, Bakewell and Ripley. Routes range from easy to moderate and are between 4 and 14km (2 to 10 miles). Walks focus on places of interest, from Stone Age forts to castles to grand estates.
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