Rushup Edge + Mam Tor Walk | 6-Mile Route

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, parking 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)

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Rushup Edge + Mam Tor walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

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, pay and display, 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. You can pay for parking using cards only and will find details on car parking charges here.

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.

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

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).

Would you know what to do in an emergency situation?

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. We’d recommend that you check a few resources and for hill walks look at the weather conditions in the valley and on the hilltop as they can greatly vary.

• BBC Weather for Edale
• Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District
• Met Office weather for Mam Tor 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 the Ordnance Survey OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area).

View the different prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weather the Active OS maps are good to have as they are laminated so better on rainy days.

View both Peak District map options here.

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 Online + you can download them to the App.

See both maps that cover the Peak District here.

Want to learn more map skills? Check out our Guided Walks with map reading skills here.

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 via several gates, 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 join the road.

Stage 3 – Mam Tor to Hollins Cross

Distance: 1 mile/1.7 km

Grid reference SK 12488 83400

Go across the road, then 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

View walks directory here

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