A rewarding ascent of a Peak District hill that offers fine views into Edale. An ascent of Win Hill includes a stiff climb onto the ridge but otherwise this a an easy and relaxing walk.
(D)After parking take the Edale Road (opposite the church), pass the primary school on your left then turn right down a lane marked "no through road" - Bowden Lane. Cross a stone bridge carry straight on and go under a railway arch. Turn right immediately after the arch along a track signposted Twitchill Farm Cottages (grid ref. SK172842). Follow the track uphill to Twitchill Farm.
(1) At Twitchill Farm, continue through the yard and following the clearly marked right of way climb steeply up through a field. The path crosses a stile and enters rougher ground. Continue the climb with constantly improving views making the ascent more enjoyable. The path ahead is clear and quite soon you will be able to see the rocky outcrops that mark the summit of Win Hill. Crossing a fence you reach the main ridge path (grid ref. SK183850) that links the summit of Win Hill with Hope Cross. Turn right on this and continue to the summit. To gain the trig column you can either take the path or for the more adventurous a mild scramble over the rocks will give you more direct access.
(2)Having enjoyed the view retrace your steps and follow the main ridge path towards Hope Cross. The broad path heads west at first but soon swings north-westerly with superb views into Edale and across to Kinder on your left. The path undulates across rough pasture and then runs along side a forestry plantation on your right, eventually reaching Hope Cross.
(3)Descending back down southeast from Hope Cross, stay on the path until you reach a broken wall at grid ref. SK165868 (approx.). Turn left downhill alongside the wall to meet a broad track descending into the valley. Turn left on this and descend towards Hope. The track joins a tarmac lane (grid ref. SK170853) which you follow until the lane bends sharp right near Fullwood Farm (grid ref. SK170848).
(4)Here you leave the lane and take the signed footpath on your left. This leads across fields to reach another lane. Continue down the lane bearing right under the railway bridge, which you used near the beginning of the walk. Follow the lane up to the Edale Road and turn left to reach the centre of Hope village.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 558ft - Start: Hope village
1 : mi 1.03 - alt. 896ft - Twitchill Farm
2 : mi 1.68 - alt. 1450ft - Win Hill
3 : mi 3.97 - alt. 1053ft - Hope Cross
4 : mi 5.69 - alt. 686ft - Fullwood Farm
D/A : mi 6.7 - alt. 558ft - Finish: Hope village
Win Hill occupies a wonderful position near the village of Hope. The views from the summit are superb with Lose Hill and the Castleton Ridge, Edale, the moors of Kinder Scout, Ladybower Reservoir and the wild moors and edges of the eastern Peak District all included in a glorious panorama. The walk includes a variety of landscapes and does include one section of fairly steep uphill walking. However there are plenty of excuses to stop and enjoy the view during the climb.
The start is the village of Hope, which lies on the A6187 between Hathersage and Castleton in the Peak District National Park. Parking is available on the south side of the A6187 (Grid ref. SK171834) and in other parts of the village. However do remember to park considerately. The village has a number of cafes, pubs and shops.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.72/5
Number of opinions : 12
Description quality : 4.58/5
Routemap quality : 4.83/5
Walk interest : 4.75/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 23/05/22
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Excellent walk - steep climb initially but well worth it. 4 hours duration taking it steady.
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/09/20
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
Starting mid afternoon, from the CMC campsite just outside Castleton, we completed an adapted version of this walk: from point 4, we cut back via Losehill farm back to the campsite.
Our first outing for many months, I found the climb up Win Hill challenging but I think that was a combination of me and the heat (23º in September).The climb was worthwhile as there are some amazing views at the top.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 23/12/19
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
An excellent walk, thanks to the poster. Done in December in mixed weather after a long wet spell but no problems underfoot so a good one for a soggy day. Rewarding views with a rich variety of hues to enjoy that would be even better when the heather is in bloom.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 16/07/19
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
This is a great walk, and very well structured in that all the hard work - climbing up Win Hill - is towards the beginning, so you can enjoy the amazing views at the top while having your lunchtime picnic. After that the walk goes along the ridge and down (changing direction sharply at the not terribly distinctive Hope Cross) so there is no more climbing. I did the whole thing in just over three hours. My only quibble is that the walk instructions seem to assume you are arriving by car, whereas actually a lot of walkers come to Hope by train from Manchester or Sheffield. So it is probably worth adding in that it is a 15-minute walk along the main road from the station to the start point in the car park (and the conveniences), there is grass verge or pavements the whole way so it is quite safe. I can recommend the cream tea in the Old Hall Hotel for afterwards, only £4.75!
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 31/03/19
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Very steep, but the views at the top are worth it. I plan to do this again, but maybe add on Lose Hill, Back Tor, and Mam Tor to add to the challenge
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/02/19
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
the route map and directions are very good, however if completing this walk it needs to be understood that hope cross isnt actually a cross, it is a stone plinth with a square rock on top with Glossop and Sheffield etched into the sides. We sat and discussed this as we reached it but it did not click that this was the marker for turning left. This did not take anything away from our walk but only enhanced it as we did a further 5km by following the woods and turning left down a farm track, coming back up the road to pick up the walk again
Thank you for your feedback. Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 03/09/18
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
What a lovely walk! I needed a hike from Hope as I was there over the weekend with no access to the car while camping. This was perfect - very well explained and the perfect length. I really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 27/08/18
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
a steep climb but worth it for the fantastic views
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/07/18
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Fabulous walk - 1.7 mile ascent in 30 well rewarded by the 360 degree views from the top - highly recommended
Many thanks for your feedback. If you have any photos of the walk please feel free to post them for future walkers!
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/06/18
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Win Hill from Hope . After an initial steep ascent the walk was relatively easy . Started walking around 9 am , weather dry but a bit misty and as we made our ascent the mist got thicker and so hid all the views , but as we reached the summit of Win hill the sun started to burn through the mist and in no time it had cleared to reveal fabulous panoramic views of the Hope valley, Ladybower and all the surrounding areas . After soaking up the wonderful views and a drink and bite to eat , we made our descent on and along to Aston and Brough and back to Hope . Went with my wife and we both found it a really enjoyable walk .
Great directions , great walk with some degree of a challenge, fabulous views .
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 21/04/18
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Excellent directions. Perfect walk , medium challenge, spectacular views
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 22/12/17
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
After a steep relatively short ascent it’s all plain sailing. We walked in wind and misty fog so missed the views. One to revisit on a better day.
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.
A gentle stroll round the historic village of Hope with a pretty interlude along the River Noe.
A stiff climb to a superb rocky viewpoint with a delightful return through heathery hillside and riverside meadows.
Two spectacular limestone gorges with an optional ascent to the hillfort and viewpoint on Mam Tor.
Stroll through pretty Castleton village and visit two of the area’s famous limestone caverns on foot.
A classic ridge walk to a fine viewpoint, followed by a visit to a historic village and a pleasant riverside return.
Walk in the Peak District. Will take you from Mid to North of The Peak District.
A picturesque walk with some steep climbs. Starts in Castleton and takes the limestone way through Cave Dale. The walk then works is way overland to Mam Tor and along the Great Ridge to Back Tor. From here the walk goes towards Blue John Cavern before descending via Winnat's Pass and then over the field back to Castleton. Some steep climbs most notably Mam Tor and Back Tor - also some steep and rocky terrain/descents.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.