Mam Tor + Lose Hill Walk From Castleton | 7-Mile Route

Walking along the Great Ridge from Lose Hill to Mam Tor is one of the best walks in the Peak District. It’s also a very popular walk but when you’re walking along the ridge with the valleys on either side, you’ll see why.

Our route begins from Castleton up to Lose Hill summit then along the Great Ridge, over Back Tor, then on to Hollins Cross and finally Mam Tor. As you walk along the ridge you can see the other Peak District hills in the area, including the highest point Kinder Scout, and then all the way to Win Hill, another must-do route. Then looking down you can see the beautiful village of Castleton and on the other side, you’ll see the lovely village of Edale.

Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk from Castleton, route information, a map, a GPX file, facilities on the walk, plus a detailed step-by-step guide of the walk.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Lose Hill + Mam Tor walk from Castleton

gpx file

Mam Tor + Lose Hill walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

Walk start point

Start grid reference: SK 14936 82940

Car parking address: Castleton Visitor Centre, Cross Street, Castleton, S33 8WN – Google location

Although there are plenty of car parking spaces this is a popular place so spaces can fill up if you don’t arrive early. There’s an additional car park further down the road if this one is full.

Parking Cost

Up to 1 hour £1.60
1-2 hours £2.50
2-4 hours £4.00
4-10 hours £6.00

Public transport

Nearest train station: Hope train station (1 mile/2 km)

Want to start from a different location? Check out these other Mam Tor walks that start from Edale, Barber Booth and Hope.

Facilities on the walk

There are public toilets available next to Castleton Visitor Centre. You can also pick up breakfast (if you’re late started as the cafe doesn’t open until 10 am) and snacks for your hike.

There are also plenty of other little shops and cafes in Castleton where you can treat yourself to goodies either before or after the walk. There are also several pubs for that after-walk drink.

There are no further shops or additional toilet facilities on this walk. Also once you’re up walking along the Great Ridge, there are pretty much no spots to discreetly go for a wild wee!

Other useful information

Mam Tor walk from Castleton is one of the most popular walks in the Peak District, it’s a beautiful walk and has many different routes to the summit but if you prefer a quieter experience then if possible avoid weekends or plan an early walk.

Castleton village is also a very busy place to visit but there’s plenty to see and do there, with caves to explore, shops and pubs to visit as well.

The route is signposted in places but I would recommend you take a map and compass (see below).

Also, if you love your sunrises you can also catch some beautiful photos of the sun in the morning, worth an early start to miss the crowds too!

Be sure to check the local weather forecasts too, Castleton is pretty sheltered in the valley but hiking along the ridge can get very cold on windy days.

Peak District weather

Check the weather for your walk location and hills. The temperature along the Great Ridge, Lose Hill and Mam Tor can be cold on windy days so make sure you take a spare layer.

• BBC Weather for Castleton
• Met Office weather for Mam Tor
• Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District.

Mam Tor patch

Why not celebrate reaching the top of Mam Tor with our very first charity patch? Or if you are planning on doing the walk soon, order the patch now so you can take it to the top for a photo. visit shop

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Mam Tor Patch

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Ordnance Survey Walk Map

The map for this walk is OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area)

You can buy a paper map at outdoor shops or shop online at Amazon or Ordnance Survey

Check prices here with Ordnance Survey, there are options to buy either a standard map or a waterproof one. You can sometimes find cheaper deals on Amazon, but the Ordnance Survey website sometimes has discounts for buying more than one map!

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

For online maps, I recommend 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 OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Maps Online + you can download them to the OS Maps App.

Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App. 

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Lose Hill + Mam Tor walk route

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Stage 1 – Castleton village to Lose Hill

Distance: 2.2 miles/3.5 km

Grid reference SK 14919 82956

Turn left out of the car park, walking through Castleton village, minding the pavement that disappears on one side. Continue following the road around the corner and round to the left along the main street in Castleton.

Continue until you reach a bridge over the road, at this point you then need to cross over and take the footpath that heads up past Losehill Hall, where the YHA Castleton is located.

At the corner, turn right, then shortly after you’ll see a stile into a field on your left. Keep to the right-hand side of the field (photo below) then down some steps and across a wooden bridge on the other side.

Follow the path round, up a track then across another field to a second stile. This one has a fingerpost directing your left to Lose Hill and you’ll now be able to see the summit ahead.

Continue ascending, over another stile, then head uphill until you reach the base of Lose Hill. This is the final bit of the climb, and then you’ve done the toughest bit of the walk. Lose Hill summit has a stone marker at the top.

Stage 2 – Lose Hill to Hollins Cross

Distance: 1.2 mile/2 km

Grid reference SK 15305 85362

From Lose Hill summit, you simply follow the flagstones heading along the Great Ridge towards Mam Tor. The track is easy to follow and you simply keep on the ridge.

The route does take you over a third hill on the walk, Back Tor, which is above a small wooded area. But it’s worth taking your time as the views from Back Tor to Mam Tor are fantastic and make for some great photos.

The descent from Back Tor is a little tricky in places, so worth taking your time. Then before you know it you’ll reach the second stone marker for Hollins Cross.

Stage 3 – Hollins Cross to Mam Tor

Distance: 0.9 mile/1.4 km

Grid reference SK 13607 84516

Hollins Cross has numerous paths leading in all directions, so this is where the route will immediately start to get busier. You’ll also notice a drop in temperature as you’re on quite an exposed section of the walk.

You now need to remain on the ridge, known as the ‘Great Ridge’ and make your way upwards even more to the trig point that marks Mam Tor summit.

On windy days you might see paragliders flying around Mam Tor summit, which is pretty spectacular.

More peak district shorts walks here

Stage 4 – Mam Tor to Castleton

Distance: 2.5 miles/4 km

Grid reference SK 12776 83600

Now you’ve done all the hard work, from Mam Tor you descend down the other side, leading you close to the road that passes between the hills.

Go through the gate, continuing to descend down the grassy bank. Cross the road and take the footpath on the left to another road, again cross over and continue on the footpath.

As you reach Winnats Head Farm go through the gate and take the path that leads to Treak Caverns, follow the path to where the road meets Winnats Pass and again cross over to take the pass that loops back to Castleton.

If you prefer you can stay on the road for a slightly quick walk back but the loop is a prettier option! Then before you know it, you’re back in Castleton village.

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Do you have any more questions about this Lose Hill and Mam Tor walk, maybe what to wear on your hike or any other questions? Ask me in the comments below.

Other walk options

Looking for some shorter walks? You might like these walks from Castleton and nearby Barber Booth and Edale.

• Lose Hill Short Walk from Castleton | 5-mile Route
• Mam Tor Short Walk From Castleton | 5-Mile Route
• Rushup Edge Short Walk From Barber Booth | 5-Mile Route
• Grindslow Knoll (via Grindsbrook Clough) Short Walk from Edale | 4-Mile Route

Check out all our Peak District walking routes here

View walks directory here

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Charity Patches

Mam Tor Patch

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£5.00

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Kinder Scout Patch

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Thorpe Cloud Patch

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The Roaches Patch

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Win Hill Patch

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£5.00

Sale!

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Charity Patches

Peak District Walks Patch

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