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

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Lose Hill and Win Hill are two of those iconic hills in the Peak District. There are plenty of options 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 is 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.

Lose Hill + Win Hill from Edale

gpx file

Lose Hill + Win Hill walk map

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 only)

• 1 hour – £1.20
• 2 hours – £2.00
• 4 hours – £3.40
• 10 hours – £5.20
• 24 hours – £6.20

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

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.

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.

• BBC Weather for Edale
• Met Office weather for the Peak District
• Met Office weather for Lose Hill

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 compass

For online maps, you can get via OS Online App or Viewranger App. Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.

 

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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.

Walk up the track for about 1 km, until you reach a gate on the left, go through here. Continue following 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.

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.

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 immediate 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.

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.

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.

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.

• Edale to Kinder Downfall Circular Walk (+ Kinder Reservoir) | 15-Mile Route
• Mam Tor Via Jacob’s Ladder Walk | 10-Mile Route
• Kinder Scout Walk (via Grindsbrook Clough) | 8-Mile Route

Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here

View walks directory here

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Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability through any injuries or accidents that may result from walking this route. We always recommend you take a paper map and compass on your walk. Read more here.

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