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A steep sided mountain with a valley below in low early evening light. Two walkers in silhouette are just about discernible on the top of the mountain.
Mam Tor | © National Trust Images/Joe Cornish
The Peak District & Derbyshire

Mam Tor circular walk

The stone surfaced footpath from the car park to the top of Mam Tor will reward you with one of the most dramatic vistas in the Peak District. From the viewpoint you can see north over the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors. This circular route takes you round Mam Tor and has some amazing scenery.

Plan ahead

It can be extremely busy here on weekends. The Mam Nick car park and others in the area will fill up quickly by 9am during peak periods, so please plan ahead before leaving. Please park safely and considerately in designated spaces and not on roads or grass verges as this can block access for farm tenants, local residents and emergency services. Thanks for helping to look after the Peak District countryside by taking your litter home and not using barbecues or campfires which are not permitted.

Total steps: 10

Total steps: 10

Start point

Start: Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832

Step 1

Climb the steps at the top of the car park and follow the path alongside the road to a small gate and National Trust sign. Go through gate, bearing left.

Step 2

Climb the stone steps until the ground begins to level out, not far below the summit of Mam Tor.

Step 3

Continue on the path up to the summit. This path is stepped and stone pitched and was rebuilt by our estate team, replacing the original track.

Step 4

Once you've taken in the views from the trig point, follow the flagstone path north along the ridge until it gets noticeably steeper.

Step 5

Continue to follow the path down to a small monument in a dip in the ridge.

Step 6

Turn right, downhill, back towards Mam Tor. Take the right fork in the path, just before the trees, skirting around the woods. Continue on the path to the road.

Step 7

Walk up the road, through a gate, to a broken road (caused by a landslide).

Step 8

Continue up the broken road and pass through a gate and parking area. Turn left down the track to Blue John Cavern. Take a look in this show cave (not National Trust) to see the rare mineral after which the cave is named.

Step 9

Pass the building that gives access to the mine entrance and go through a small gate and up a grassy path. Bear right at the top of the hill and go through a gate. Cross the field and road and take the left fork, uphill, to the entrance of another cave, Windy Knoll. Take care and do not enter cave, as there have been recent rockfalls.

Step 10

From the cave, cross the field to a small gate by the road. Cross this road and walk along the grass verge back to the car park.

End point

End: Mam Nick car park, grid ref: SK123832

Trail map

Mam Tor circular walk route map
Mam Tor circular walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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near Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WA nearest postcode area

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