Lose Hill + Win Hill Circular Walk From Edale | 12-Mile Route

Win Hill Walk + Lose Hill Peak District

Lose Hill and Win Hill are two of those iconic (and epic) hills in the Peak District. There are plenty of routes to hike them individually but this circular walk ticks of both hills in one beautiful route.

Be prepared to give your legs a workout as this Lose Hill and Win Hill walk has plenty of ups and downs. Well, two really, from Edale to Lose Hill then down to the Hope Valley and back up again to Win Hill summit. This does mean you’re treated to two beautiful and different views from the top of each hill.

The route begins from Edale village but heads in the opposite direction from the popular Kinder Scout routes. Then it’s up to Hollins Cross, before enjoying the Great Ridge via Back Tor with views behind to Mam Tor until you reach the stone marker of Lose Hill.

Next, it’s downhill to the valley before a tough slog up to Win Hill summit. And from here you head down past Hope Cross, via Jaggers Clough and all the way back to Edale.

Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk in Edale, route information, useful tips, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.

Are you planning to do this walk? Let me know in the comments below.

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Lose Hill + Win Hill from Edale

Heading towards Win Hill summit
Heading towards Win Hill summit

Walk information

Walk type: Medium circular walk

Distance: 11.6 miles/18.6 km

Walk time: 4.5-5.5 hours

Total ascent: 775 m/2,542 ft

Highest point: 476 m/1,562 ft

Walk highlights: Hollins Cross with views to Mam Tor, The Great Ridge, Back Tor, Lose Hill, Win Hill and views to Ladybower Reservoir

Trigs: 1 – Winhill Pike

Ethels: 2 – Lose Hill + Win Hill

gpx file

Lose Hill + Win Hill walk map

Peak District walk map - Lose Hill + Win Hill 12 mile walk
Lose Hill + Win Hill 12 mile walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

Click for online map

Walk start point

Start grid reference: SK 12370 85316

Car parking address: Edale car park, Edale, Hope Valley, S33 7ZQ

Edale is a popular place to visit, especially in the summer months and at weekends. At peak times there is an overflow car park available, signposted from the village.

Parking cost (cash, card or app)*

  • 1 hour – £1.80
  • 2 hours – £2.90
  • 4 hours – £4.50
  • 10 hours – £6.80
  • 24 hours – £7.90

*Prices correct at time of writing (updated February 2025).

You can also use the PaybyPhone option either call or use the App to pay for parking, there are numerous other Peak District car parks that use this so its worth downloading the App. Location code: 806749. (The one with 9 green squares logo).

Public transport

Nearest train station: Edale train station (opposite the car park)

Facilities on the walk

There are public toilets available at the start of the walk at Edale (however, at the moment they are only open from 10 am). 

On the rest of the walk, there are no other facilities or shelters.

Water on your walk – I recommend a filter water bottle for your Peak District walks, it saves you carrying extra weight and you can fill up safely and drink water from the streams on your walk.

Other useful information

Win Hill summit
Wrapped up warm at Win Hill summit

I’d recommend layers, hats and gloves for this walk, the summits including the Great Ridge can be cold as they are exposed and you’ll know about it on a windy day! But on the hike up to Hollins Cross and Win Hill you can work up a sweat so don’t put everything on from the start!

There’s a water crossing at Jaggers Clough, which might mean wet feet in heavy rain. It’s a wide crossing so fairly shallow and with lots of stones to help you across.

I also recommend taking a map and compass on the walk, see details below for which map you need.

Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. Take ALL your rubbish home to dispose of and remember close gates (as you found them). Thank you so much.

Would you know what to do in an emergency situation?

Blue skies, Mountain rescue team walking

We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media.

Happy hiking + stay safe

read here

 

Peak District weather

Check the weather for your walk location and hills.

The weather can change quickly up high making visibility difficult so be sure to check the conditions and plan for your hike.

Ordnance Survey Walk Map

The map for this walk is OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area). Check prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weathers the Active OS maps are good to have.

And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.

For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.

 

Win Hill patch

A stunning view from Win Hill summit complete with trig point, looking towards the Derwent Valley and Ladybower Reservoir. Have you climbed this hill? Treat yourself to the patch! Or if you are planning on doing the Win Hill walk soon, order a patch so you can take it to the top for a photo. visit shop

Charity Patches

Win Hill Patch

£5.00
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Lose Hill and Win Hill photos

Lose Hill + Win Hill walk route

Stage 1 – Edale to Lose Hill

Distance: 2.5 miles/4.1 km

Grid reference SK 12370 85316

From the main car park in Edale, go down the steps next to the toilet blocks and turn left down the road, then right at the end. Walk down for about 100 m then cross the road and turn left down the track signposted Hardenclough Farm.

Signpost in Peak District
Signpost at the start of the walk

Walk up the track for about 1 km, until you reach a gate on the left, go through here and continue to follow the track until you see another gate on your left. Go through here and follow the route now heading east for about 1.5 km all the way to the stone marker of Hollins Cross. From here, you can see the path leading up to Mam Tor on your right.

Views from Back Tor along the Great Ridge
Views from Back Tor along the Great Ridge

At Hollins Cross take the footpath heading right along the ridge, After about 1 km you’ll go through a gate, then it’s up a short steep rocky path to Back Tor. These are some of my favourite views back along the Great Ridge to Mam Tor.

Walk for another 1 km, gradually heading uphill to Lose Hill summit and the stone marker.

Lose Hill summit, walk from Castleton_Peak District_Castleton in the Peak District
Lose Hill summit looking back towards Mam Tor

Stage 2 – Lose Hill to Win Hill

Distance: 3.1 mile/5 km

Grid reference SK 15305 85356

From Lose Hill summit take the rocky path heading downhill on the other side to a fence. Climb over the stile and keep walking downhill on the path through another gate down towards Losehill Farm. Walk past the farm (with it on your right). Then take the footpath on the right, continuing to head gradually downhill through numerous fields and gates for about 1.5 km.

The footpath then narrows to a single track, follow this up and over the railway bridge, through some smaller fields, then turn left to bring you to the road.

Cross the road and turn left down the side road heading downhill to the railway bridge. Turn immediately right here, under the bridge to a small area of trees. Now the uphill begins, up the wide track, past Twitchill Farm, bear right up to a gate. Then keep heading uphill, up to a second gate and continue on the footpath until Win Hill summit comes into view. Go through one more gate then up the track to the summit and trig point.

Winhill Pike trig point
Winhill Pike trig point

Stage 3 – Win Hill to Jaggers Clough

Distance: 3 miles/4.8 km

Grid reference SK 18682 85096

After you’ve enjoyed views of Ladybower Reservoir and beyond from Win Hill, begin by heading down the same route. However, this time, keep on the track instead of the left-hand fork. Follow the track as it descends, through a gate and continue downhill for another 1 km until you reach a wooded area and dry stone wall.

Lose Hill
Views back towards Lose Hill

Follow the path alongside the drystone wall (either side is fine) until you reach Hope Cross – a large stone marking the old boundary. Go through the gate and continue on the track away from the woods. At the next gate, turn left and take the path heading downhill towards Jaggers Clough. In heavy rain, you might get wet feet here if you’re not wearing waterproof shoes/boots!

Stage 4 – Jaggers Clough to Edale

Distance: 3 miles/4.8 km

Grid reference SK 15467 87293

Once over, it’s up the track then sharp left continuing uphill through a gate and along past Clough Farm. Bear right until the path goes across the stream, turn left here and walk along the path round to Edale YHA. Go across the bridge and past the building, through the car park and gate on the far side.

You’re now on a permissive path which follows the hedge line until it bears round to the left, heading downhill to the gate and joining footpath. Go through the gate and through the next field, past a few houses on your right and continue until you reach the farm.

Walk through the farm and then take the footpath forking off to the left, then left again when the path splits to bring you out on the road through Edale. Turn left and walk down the road, past The Ramblers Inn and under the railway bridge until you are back at the car park.

Ramblers Inn pub Edale
Ramblers Inn pub

Ask me any questions in the comments below.

More walks in the Peak District

Love walking? You might like these Peak District circular walks from Edale.

Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here

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Win Hill trig point

Back Tor

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Peak District charity patches

Peak District Walks have their own charity patches raising funds for the 'Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation' (charity no. 506681) - supporting the seven Mountain Rescue Teams in the Peak District. Order our very own 'Peak District Walks' design or select from one of our location patches - Mam Tor, Kinder Scout, Thorpe Cloud, The Roaches or Win Hill patch. Please visit our shop below. If you'd like to know when new designs are created, join our mailing list here to be notified.

Read about the charity here.

Charity Patches

Mam Tor Patch

£5.00

Charity Patches

Kinder Scout Patch

£5.00
Sale!

Charity Patches

Thorpe Cloud Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.
Sale!

Charity Patches

The Roaches Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.

Charity Patches

Win Hill Patch

£5.00
Sale!

Charity Patches

Peak District Walks Patch

Original price was: £5.00.Current price is: £4.00.
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Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. We always recommend you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries and to take a paper map and compass on your walks. Read more here.