Rushup Edge walk is a wonderful day out, you get to experience the Peak District from up high and on a clear day, it means you have the best views of the Hope Valley.
This route starts from Barber Booth, which is a quieter place to park than nearby Edale, but if you’re catching the train you can easily start the walk from Edale too (options for both locations below).
You hike up to Rushup Edge, first to Lord’s Seat then Mam Tor summit before looping back via Hollins Cross to either Edale or Barber Booth. Of course, with great views, there also comes a steady incline to the top of Lord’s Seat and Mam Tor so be sure to pack plenty of water for this walk.
Short on time? Why not try this shorter 5-mile route – Rushup Edge short walk
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Barber Booth and Edale, route information, map, facilities on the walk, plus a step by step guide of the walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk along Rushup Edge to Mam Tor.
Rushup Edge + Mam Tor from Barber Booth (or Edale)
Walk information
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 6 miles/10.4 km
Walk time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Total ascent: 447 m/1,466 ft
Highest point: 549 m/1,801 ft
Walk highlights: Walk along the ridge to Lord’s Seat and Mam Tor summit
Trigs: 1 – Mam Tor
Rushup Edge + Mam Tor walk map
Walk start point
Start grid reference: SK 10757 84727
Car parking address: Barber Booth car park, Hope Valley, S33 7ZL
This is a really small free car parking area, only big enough for about 10-12 cars, perfect for mid-week adventures. But if you’re planning on coming at the weekend, you either need to arrive really early or opt for walks from nearby Edale instead which has a larger car park and facilities.
Public transport
Nearest train station: Edale train station (1.3 mile/2 km)
It’s a short walk along the road from Edale to Barber Booth, there’s an alternative (off-road) route – see map link above.
Facilities on the walk
There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Barber Booth, the nearest public toilets are at Edale village.
Other useful information
The last section of the walk can be quite muddy through the fields towards Barber Booth
On windy days the ridge section from the start of Rushup Edge all the way to Mam Tor can be cold, as the wind comes from every direction, be sure to wrap up warm.
The route is fairly easy to navigate once you’re on the ridge but I would always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).
Check the weather for your walk location and hills
- BBC Weather for Edale
- Met Office weather for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Mam Tor
Mam Tor patch
(Pre-order here)
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.
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Patches
Ordnance Survey Walk Map
The map for this walk is OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area)
Check prices here with Ordnance Survey, there are options to buy either 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 4-360 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.
Want to read later? Save the walk to Pinterest
Rushup Edge + Mam Tor walk route
Stage 1 details walk instructions from both Barber Booth and Edale so you can pick your start point.
Stage 1 – Barber Booth or Edale to Rushup Edge
Distance: 1.8 miles/2.8 km
Grid reference SK 10757 84727
Option 1 – From Barber Booth car park, first, head back down the track that you drove up for about 400 metres.
Option 2 – From Edale car park, go down the steps, turn left down the road, then right for a short distance until you see a public footpath on your left. Walk up here for 1 km, then turn right and head across fields, then cross over the road and continue going straight
There’s then a stile (on your right from Barber Booth or left from Edale) to climb over, following a narrow track as it gradually ascends through a couple of fields.
Walk up until you reach a wider track, known as ‘Chapel gate’ (track). Follow this until you reach a fence where the path splits right and left, this is the start of Rushup Edge.
Stage 2 – Rushup Edge to Mam Tor (road below)
Distance: 1.7 mile/2.7 km
Grid reference SK 09917 82912
Turn left and follow the track, as it continues to ascend. Go through a gate then the path flattens out so you can enjoy the views without heavy breathing!
This section of the path is pretty straightforward as you follow the path along the ridge, admiring the views on both sides to the valleys and hills beyond.
As the path reaches a fenced off flatter area, known as Lord’s Seat, it’s a good place to stop for a drink or snack, especially when the sun is shining.
Continue walking along the ridge, towards Mam Tor. As you near the road which cuts through the hills, it’s fun to explore right to the end of the ridge but then it’s harder to get down.
Where the path splits just before, take the right-hand path down to a gate where you meet the road.
Stage 3 – Mam Tor to Hollins Cross
Distance: 1 miles/1.7 km
Grid reference SK 12488 83400
Cross the road, then you can join the footpath on the other side of the road, which takes you left up a stone path, before veering around the corner.
It’s a steep short climb up to Mam Tor, but follow the stone path and you’ll soon see the trig point marking the summit.
After enjoying the views from the summit, you then continue down the stone path as it now descends along the ridge, on a clear day you’ll see all the way to nearby Lose Hill.
Go through a gate and continue descending until you reach a stone marker. This is Hollins Cross and the path leads off in numerous directions so be sure to pick the right path!
Stage 4 – Hollins Cross to Barber Booth or Edale
Distance: 1.9 miles/3 km
Grid reference SK 13612 84516
From Hollins Cross, take the path on your left, there are two leading downhill, but be sure to take the one heading more gradually back towards Barber Booth.
Follow the path for about 1 km and through a small wooded area. You’ll then come out at an intersection where the paths cross at Harden Clough.
Edale start point – If you started from Edale this is the point you continue straight to head back to Edale on the same path towards the road, turn right, then left on the road to get back to the car park.
Take the path on your left, which takes you through several (muddy) fields and a little bridge all the way to the road at Barber Booth.
From here, cross the road and then continue back to Barber Booth car park.
Do you have any more questions about the Rushup Edge + Mam Tor walk? Ask me in the comments below.
Options to shorten this walk
Like the sound of this walk but maybe prefer something shorter?
Check out this Rushup Edge walk from Barber Booth, it includes the section along Rushup Edge but then drops down at Mam Tor, saving your legs that extra uphill climb. Read the route here – Rushup Edge 5-mile walk
More walks in the Peak District
Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Robin Hood’s Stride From Elton | 4.5-Mile Route
- Grindslow Knoll (via Grindsbrook Clough) from Edale | 4-Mile Route
- Shutlingsloe Walk from Wildboarclough | 7-Mile Route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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Peak District charity patches
(Now in stock)
Peak District Walks have now launched their first charity iron-on embroidered patch raising funds for the Edale Mountain Rescue Team (charity no. 1138626) - one of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the UK.
To order your Mam Tor charity 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.
More information about the charity project here.
Patches
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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.
