The Great Ridge Walk

Peak District National Park, United Kingdom — — By Robert Watts

Distance 9.0 KM

Duration 3.38 Hours

This morning I walked the Great Ridge in the peak district. This walk comprises Mam Tor, Hollins Cross and Lose Hill. I've previously walked up Mam Tor before, so it was especially nice to finally complete the full ridge line in one go.

I started at the National Trust car park three quarters of the way up Mam Tor and after climbing the remaining third was immediately rewarded with sweeping views across both Castleton and Edale from the summit.

Trig point at the top of Mam Tor with paragliders in the background
From the Mam Tor trig point I was able to see some paragliders flying around.

From there, I descended to Hollins Cross, a natural meeting point for several paths across the ridge. I then followed the route up towards Lose Hill via Back Tor. Both the descent from Mam Tor and the ascent to Lose Hill are paved, a practical measure to reduce erosion given how popular this route is.

A path along a ridge from one hill to another
Although lose hill is only half way around, it is nice being able to look back at Mam Tor to see where you have come from
A view from a hill looking at a village
From the top of lose hill you can see write dowin into Castleton

From lose hill, I looped my way back around to the National Trust car park, walking just below the ridge to Hollins cross, then cutting around Mam Tor.