A Peak District walk that takes in some of the highlights of the area to the north of Castelton. The route is varied, offers some wonderful views and is generally easy to follow.
Calculated time: 3h40[?] 
Distance : 5.91mi
Vertical gain : 1099ft
Vertical drop : 1106ft
Highest point : 1496ft
Lowest point : 617ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Castleton (Derbyshire)
Starting point : N 53.34324° / W 1.77725° (D)The start is the village of Castleton, where there is a large pay and display car park adjacent to the Tourism Information Centre at grid ref. SK149829. Exit the car park and turn left along Buxton Road and walk as far as the T-junction. Turn right here along Back Street which leads to the Market Place. Here bear right and continue along The Stones which leads directly into Goosehill. Towards the end of this lane take the signed footpath (grid ref. SK147826) bearing right towards Speedwell Cavern with the wall to your immediate right. This path climbs gently offering good views to your right of the Castleton Ridge which you will be walking shortly.(1)
Reaching the road by Speedwell Cavern (grid ref. SK139827), take the footpath almost opposite (just to your right). This leads through a field to a junction of paths (not too evident) where you keep straight on climbing steadily above Treak Cliff Cavern to reach Blue John Cavern at the top of the climb where you turn right down the access road.(2)
Reaching the 'main' road, turn right. Almost immediately you will encounter the remains of the major landslip beneath Mam Tor which has severed the main road. Continue along this old road until it turns sharp right. On the bend there is a minor lane leading to Mam Farm. Just to the left of this lane, is a path (marked on OS maps) that leads across the hillside towards Hollins Cross. Follow this until you reach the ridge with its prominent toposcope.(3)
Once on the ridge bear right and continue along what can be a very busy path. Reaching the climb up to Back Tor (grid ref. SK144848), keep left and continue to the trig point on Lose Hill. The views on both sides are excellent with the valley containing Castleton to your right and the rough moorland of Kinder Scout to your left.(4)
The descent starts here and your first objective is Lose Hill Farm, which lies to the south. Approaching the farm, keep left and continue down to Spring House Farm. Turn right here and using a mix of tracks and paths continue west to reach Hollowford Road (grid ref. SK147834). Turn left down the lane and you will soon be back in Castleton.(A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 623ft - Castledon pay and display car park
1 : mi 0.94 - alt. 823ft - Speedwell Cavern
2 : mi 1.66 - alt. 1211ft - Blue John Cavern
3 : mi 2.64 - alt. 1250ft - Hollins Cross
4 : mi 3.85 - alt. 1496ft - Lose Hill
D/A : mi 5.91 - alt. 627ft - Castledon pay and display car park
This walk includes a section of the Great Ridge to the north of Castleton. The route also passes a number of the show caves in the area that are famous for Blue John Crystal. The start is the village of Castleton, which is a popular spot for tourists. There is a large pay and display car park adjacent to the Tourism Information Centre at grid ref. SK149829. There are plenty of opportunities for refreshment in the village either before you start the walk or after you have returned.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.44/5
Number of opinions : 9
Description quality : 4.44/5
Routemap quality : 4.22/5
Walk interest : 4.67/5
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/06/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
We did this walk in reverse but it was still easy to follow although a lot of the paths were very muddy- hardly a surprise in January! Lots of spots to get refreshments in Castleton and Hope. Could enjoy a trip down one of the mines if you had time too.
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 03/07/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Good
all good apart from blue cavern bit confusing the instructions but we worked it out
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 09/06/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
This is a straight forward, but rewarding 3 hour walk.
No problems with navigation, but don’t expect to have the hills to yourself especially at weekends.
Get there early to miss the crowds
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 26/05/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
we did the shortened version of the walk cutting back through the gorge. hard work at first getting up onto the ridge but very worth it once up there. amazing views of both the white and dark peak and lots of potential to be expanded accross all the ridges. very enjoyable walk
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/04/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Lovely walk and scenery. We took a slightly different route and went up to the ridge just after Mam Tor. I found the steep rocky Back Tor to be very challenging as I have balance issues but so pleased I did. Would agree the path back to Castleton was unclear but we asked a local.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/04/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Amazing
So pleased you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share photos if you have any 
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 27/09/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Very good
Lovely walk for a half day. Lots of sheep in the fields so dogs need to be on a lead or under close control. Quite breezy on the top but fabulous views.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 21/06/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Excellent walk, thanks xxx
Thank you for your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how we can make the walk description clearer for point 4, please let us know!
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 02/06/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
great description but at the end (point 4) not very clear to find the right path.
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+833ft
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2h50
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+512ft
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+968ft
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+1637ft
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+4291ft
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16h10
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8.95mi
+1040ft
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5h00
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6.7mi
+892ft
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7.92mi
+1424ft
-1401ft
4h55
Average
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
