Winnats Pass

A jaw-dropping limestone gorge above Castleton with 340-million-year-old reef walls, caverns and ridge views.

Why go

  • The gorge walls reach up to 60 metres on either side, creating one of the most dramatic natural corridors in England.
  • The limestone is packed with 340-million-year-old marine fossils from an ancient tropical reef, geology you can see with your own eyes without any digging.
  • The circular route via Cave Dale and Mam Tor gives you ridge-top views across Hope Valley and the Great Ridge that are hard to match anywhere in the Peak District.
  • No safety barriers exist at the top of the pass, and the descent can be very slippery in wet conditions, boots are essential and care is needed near the edges.
  • Speedwell Cavern sits right at the foot of the pass and Castleton village is full of pubs and cafes for an easy post-walk reward.

Full route

Winnats Pass and Cave Dale Circular
4.7 mi / 7.6 km · 385 m · 2.5 to 3 hours · Moderate
Starts at Castleton Visitor Centre Car Park. Head west through the village past Peveril Castle, then follow the footpath along the escarpment base towards Speedwell Cavern. Continue through Winnats Pass gorge, ascending between the limestone walls. At the top of the pass turn south across open farmland towards Mam Tor. Descend east into Cave Dale, following the limestone valley floor back into the heart of Castleton and the car park.
  1. 1. From Castleton Visitor Centre Car Park (S33 8WH), walk west through the village, passing Peveril Castle on your right.
  2. 2. Follow the footpath along the base of the escarpment heading towards Speedwell Cavern at the foot of Winnats Pass.
  3. 3. Ascend through the narrow Winnats Pass gorge along the road or the parallel footpath, climbing between towering limestone walls.
  4. 4. At the top of the pass, go through the gate near the Nick Mam car park and bear south-east up onto the Mam Tor ridge.
  5. 5. From the Mam Tor trig point, descend south-east along the ridge path towards Hollins Cross.
  6. 6. Drop down from Hollins Cross into the head of Cave Dale, a dry limestone valley.
  7. 7. Follow Cave Dale east, descending gradually through the valley floor past old mine workings.
  8. 8. Cave Dale ends as it meets the edge of Castleton village; follow the path back to the Visitor Centre Car Park.
Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and Cave Dale Circular
5.9 mi / 9.5 km · 463 m · 3.5 to 4 hours · Moderate
Extended version of the main circuit that also takes in Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern on the way up to Mam Tor, adding distance and interest for those wanting a longer day out.
  1. 1. Start at Castleton Visitor Centre Car Park (S33 8WH) and walk west through the village past Peveril Castle.
  2. 2. Follow the footpath along the base of the escarpment to Speedwell Cavern at the foot of Winnats Pass.
  3. 3. Cross the Winnats Pass road and ascend through the gorge between the limestone walls.
  4. 4. Pass Treak Cliff Cavern and continue up to Blue John Cavern, checking opening times before visiting.
  5. 5. Go through the gate near Nick Mam car park and ascend to the Mam Tor summit trig point.
  6. 6. Descend south-east along the Great Ridge path to Hollins Cross.
  7. 7. Drop down from Hollins Cross into the head of Cave Dale and follow the valley floor east.
  8. 8. Exit Cave Dale into Castleton and return to the Visitor Centre Car Park.

Winnats Pass

Winnats Pass is a narrow limestone gorge cutting through the western edge of the Peak District, managed by the National Trust as part of the High Peak Estate. The name derives from ‘wind gates’, a nod to the funnelled gusts that race through the cleft between towering limestone pinnacles. The rock itself dates to around 340 million years ago, formed from a tropical coral reef, and the gorge is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning fossils and plants must be left exactly where they are.

The most popular walking circuit starts in Castleton village, heads west past Speedwell Cavern at the foot of the pass, ascends through the gorge and continues up to Mam Tor before looping back through the limestone valley of Cave Dale. The gorge road maxes out at a 28% gradient, making it a notorious test for cyclists too. The ascent from the road to the rim is steep and rocky in places, with some short scrambling sections, so walking boots are strongly recommended, the descent is particularly unforgiving in the wet. No safety barriers exist along the top edge, so caution is essential.

Castleton village sits a short walk from the foot of the pass and offers pubs, cafes, ice-cream parlours and fish and chips for a well-earned reward after the walk. Nearby attractions include Peveril Castle, Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Speedwell Cavern, all easily combined with a visit. The area gets busy on weekends and bank holidays, so an early start is strongly advised.

7.6 km Distance 4.7 mi
385 m Ascent
2.5 to 3 hours Duration
Moderate Difficulty

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