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▶Mam Tor and The Great Ridge
One of the Peak District's finest ridge walks, linking two iconic peaks with panoramic views.
Loop
About
The ridge path between Mam Tor and Lose Hill delivers unbroken views across three valleys from a well-maintained fell-top walk.
Mam Tor and The Great Ridge is a classic circular fell walk in the heart of the Peak District National Park, near Castleton in Derbyshire. The main peak, Mam Tor (517m), is also known as the ‘Shivering Mountain’ due to its unstable eastern face prone to landslips. From the summit, a well-paved ridge path stretches eastwards across Hollins Cross and Back Tor to Lose Hill, offering continuous panoramic views over the Hope Valley, Edale Valley, and Kinder Scout. Several circular route options exist: the shorter 3.7-mile route from Mam Nick car park takes 2-3 hours; the classic Castleton loop is 6.5-8 miles (3-4 hours); longer full-day options extend to 9 miles and 14 km. The terrain is varied, with stone steps and paved sections, grassy fields (muddy after rain), and some rocky scrambling sections. The Great Ridge itself runs for just over 3km between Mam Tor and Lose Hill, separating the gritstone Dark Peak from the limestone White Peak. Mam Tor itself is an Iron Age hill fort site.
Before you go
- Shortest route; well-paved stone steps; starts at Mam Nick car park
- Limestone can be slippery when wet; boggy sections after rain
- Not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
The route
Full route
Map
Open mapReviews
Read all 5Lovely hike! Worth every second. Beautiful and absolutely stunning views all around. Highly recommend for hikers and photographers alike Just a little thought to bear in mind is that some footpaths may be quite steep and borrow with loose grounds. As well as tight gating with one gate with a physically high stepping. Can be a bit intense for a beginner!
Parking : limited space only ( paid via app 6£ for 4 hours) Toilets : not available Shops : NA Recommendations: visit early morning for sun rise or late evening for sunset ! Visited Mam Tor and absolutely loved it. The walk to the top wasn’t too difficult, and the views were worth every step. Watching the sun go down over the hills was beautiful. The path is well maintained, and there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. It was a bit windy at the top, but that just added to the experience. Definitely a place I’d visit again and would recommend to anyone visiting the Peak District.
Tips
0Is this walk suitable for children and families?+
Yes, Mam Tor is popular with families and suits all ages. The summit is only about 550 metres from the Mam Nick Car Park, so younger children can reach the top without a long trek, and there are plenty of options to turn back earlier if legs get tired.
How busy does it get and what is the best time to visit?+
It gets very busy on weekends and school holidays, the car park can fill by 9am during peak periods. For a quieter visit, aim for a weekday outside school holidays, and arrive early or later in the day; a clear, dry day will reward you with the best panoramic views.
What should I wear and bring?+
There is no dress code, but sturdy walking boots are strongly recommended as the path includes steep stone steps and can be muddy and slippery. Bring layers, waterproofs, water, and snacks, weather on the exposed ridge can change quickly.
Featured in
1 guide
Showing the start and the waymarked paths nearby. The route line is added with a GPX file.
Shortest route; well-paved stone steps; starts at Mam Nick car park
Classic route via Cave Dale (limestone), Mam Tor, Hollins Cross, Back Tor, Lose Hill; good village refreshment options
Longer full-day option; includes riverside return via Hope village
Trail details
- Route typeLoop
- Terrainwoodland, grassland, limestone, gritstone, stone steps, rocky paths
- Best seasonSpring, Summer, Autumn
- Dog friendlyYes
- Buggy or wheelchairNot suitable
Limestone can be slippery when wet; boggy sections after rain
Getting there
- ParkingMam Nick Car Park (National Trust)
- Parking cost£6 all day (pay by phone); free for NT members and blue badge holders
- PostcodeS33 8WA
Features
More information
Getting there
- ParkingMam Nick Car Park (National Trust)
- Parking cost£6 all day (pay by phone); free for NT members and blue badge holders
- PostcodeS33 8WA
Reviews
5 on GoogleLovely hike! Worth every second. Beautiful and absolutely stunning views all around. Highly recommend for hikers and photographers alike Just a little thought to bear in mind is that some footpaths may be quite steep and borrow with loose grounds. As well as tight gating with one gate with a physically high stepping. Can be a bit intense for a beginner!
Parking : limited space only ( paid via app 6£ for 4 hours) Toilets : not available Shops : NA Recommendations: visit early morning for sun rise or late evening for sunset ! Visited Mam Tor and absolutely loved it. The walk to the top wasn’t too difficult, and the views were worth every step. Watching the sun go down over the hills was beautiful. The path is well maintained, and there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. It was a bit windy at the top, but that just added to the experience. Definitely a place I’d visit again and would recommend to anyone visiting the Peak District.
Parked at the National Trust car park Mam Tor Hillfort, paid parking is £6 for hours the assent starts from the rear of the carpark leading up around 650 meters to the top. Most of the walking is on stone steps which some are a little uneven The walk is around 20 to 30 mins we stopped a few times to grab our breath and take in the view. From the top the views were beautiful. There are a futher two peaks to do commonly know as Traversing The Great Ridge also with 360 degree views including Hope and Edale Valley. All in all its a lovely walk however in places it's slightly challenging.
Mam tor is one of the best place to see a beauty of Peak District. We’ve been unlucky with weather when we went to kinder scout but next day the weather was amazing and I am glad that I decided to visit mam tor , as we can see 360* panoramic view from here . It was super windy even in sunny day so I recommend you to get thick jacket , hat , and gloves. Overall it was an amazing experience
Mam Tor is a must-visit in the Peak District!! The walk is about 3-4 miles & takes around 2-3 hours to complete. We parked up at the village of Hope & followed the ridge to the summit (517m), with breathtaking views of the Hope Valley, Edale, & Kinder Scout! The route is moderately challenging, with some steep sections, but the views are totally worth it. We got there early so avoided the crowds 😄
Tips
0Questions
7Is this walk suitable for children and families?+
Yes, Mam Tor is popular with families and suits all ages. The summit is only about 550 metres from the Mam Nick Car Park, so younger children can reach the top without a long trek, and there are plenty of options to turn back earlier if legs get tired.
How busy does it get and what is the best time to visit?+
It gets very busy on weekends and school holidays, the car park can fill by 9am during peak periods. For a quieter visit, aim for a weekday outside school holidays, and arrive early or later in the day; a clear, dry day will reward you with the best panoramic views.
What should I wear and bring?+
There is no dress code, but sturdy walking boots are strongly recommended as the path includes steep stone steps and can be muddy and slippery. Bring layers, waterproofs, water, and snacks, weather on the exposed ridge can change quickly.
Do I need to book in advance or can I just turn up?+
No booking is needed, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge are open access at all times with no entry charge. Simply turn up, though arriving early on busy days is advisable to secure a parking space.
Is the route accessible for people with limited mobility or wheelchair users?+
The summit path from Mam Nick Car Park is stone-pitched and stepped, which makes it challenging for wheelchairs, but it is the most accessible route for those with limited mobility. The car park itself sits high up with good views, and shorter, less strenuous options are available from there for those unable to tackle the full climb.
Where do I park and how much does it cost?+
The closest option is the National Trust Mam Nick Car Park (S33 8WA), a pay-and-display site where payment is via the PayByPhone app; National Trust members park free. The car park has no toilet facilities on site, so plan accordingly, Castleton village nearby has public facilities.
Can I get there without a car?+
Yes, you can take a train to Hope Station on the Sheffield-Manchester line, or catch a bus from Sheffield, and then walk or connect onward to the start. Castleton and Hope are both popular starting points for routes that link up with the Great Ridge.