Trail Running > Routes > Peak District Routes > Mam Tor via Cave Dale
A 14 km Peak District trail run from Castleton, taking in Mam Tor, the Great Ridge and a bucket list of classic landmarks.
Why run this trail?
It’s a fair question – and the honest answer might be: because you should run it at least once to see what all the fuss is about.
Mam Tor – nicknamed the Shivering Mountain due to its history of landslides – is one of the most famous viewpoints in the Peak District. From a car park perched high above Winnats Pass, the summit (at just 517 m) is easily accessible – a short 30-minute walk with only around 100 metres of ascent.
The result? It’s busy. Very busy. Even on a fine midweek morning in March, there were hundreds of people on and around the summit by 11 am.
This trail run takes a more rewarding approach. Starting in Castleton, it climbs through the dramatic limestone gorge of Cave Dale before looping above Winnats Pass to join the main path up to Mam Tor.
From there, the route comes into its own – a 3 km blast along the Great Ridge, linking Hollins Cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill, with big views on all sides. A fast descent into the village of Hope follows, before a gentle riverside return to Castleton rounds off the loop.
The Hope Valley sits on the geological boundary between the White Peak and Dark Peak, and the contrast is tangible underfoot – from the slick limestone of Cave Dale and Winnats Pass to the rough grit and shale of Mam Tor and the Great Ridge.
Castleton to Cave Dale
Castleton is sometimes called the Gem in the Peak and it’s easy to see why. Set among the crags and ridges of the Hope Valley, it’s a beautiful village in a dramatic setting.
With a crystal-clear river and a network of underground caverns, a thriving visitor economy has grown up to serve the steady stream of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
The run begins at the main car park in the village centre. Every facility is close at hand, making it an ideal basecamp.
Head east along Cross Street, passing the village green at Market Place, before turning off towards Cave Dale (clearly signposted). This is where the trail properly begins.
If you’ve somehow avoided the pull of Instagram and TikTok in recent years, you could be forgiven for not having heard of Cave Dale but it’s become something of a social media star. A steep-sided limestone gorge, it features towering rock pinnacles and the remains of Peveril Castle perched high above, as if placed there purely for dramatic effect (or social media likes).
Despite the hype, it’s a genuinely atmospheric place – and it certainly provides a stiff warm-up to the run. The trail climbs steadily over broken, slippery limestone and loose earth, with some steep, narrow sections to navigate. It’s hard to find a rhythm at first, but the footing improves as the climb unfolds.
After around 1.5 km, take a sharp right switchback onto a wide grassy track to begin the climb towards Winnats Pass.
Cave Dale to Winnats Pass
The track sweeps gradually around the grassy hump of Cow Low, with increasingly expansive views over Castleton and the valley below.
After crossing a small clough, the path continues across open grassland to reach the lip of Winnats Pass – home to some of the most photographed limestone scenery in the Peak District.
Winnats Pass to Mam Tor
The craggy ridge above Winnats Pass soon drops towards the road at the head of the pass. Cross over to rejoin the footpath across farmland, which leads to Rushup Edge – the main access point for the short climb to Mam Tor.
From here, the route merges with the main path from the Mam Nick car park. Expect crowds and a relentless run of flagstones designed to conserve the hillside.
It’s a steady, unremarkable climb, punctuated by stepped sections, before the path finally levels out at the summit plateau. If you can get anywhere near the trig point, then give it a tap by all means!
Look beyond the bustle – picnics, dogs, bikes and paragliders – and the views are superb: the Hope Valley, Edale, the Kinder plateau, and the full sweep of the Great Ridge stretching east towards Lose Hill.
Mam Tor to Hollins Cross
The Great Ridge begins with a gentle 1.5 km descent from Mam Tor to Hollins Cross, the lowest point on the ridge and a historic crossing point between Edale and Castleton.
A squat stone cairn marks the junction of paths from either side of the valley.
Hollins Cross to Back Tor
The route becomes noticeably quieter beyond Hollins Cross as you head towards Back Tor (538 m), a wedge-shaped outcrop along the ridge.
The climb to the summit is a steep push over eroded rock, broken steps and gritty sand, leading to a compact rocky top with excellent views over Edale and Kinder.
Despite this, the eye is inevitably drawn back to the sinuous line of the Great Ridge itself, which dominates the skyline.
Back Tor to Lose Hill
It’s just under a kilometre of relatively easy running to Lose Hill (476 m), the final summit of the route.
While the hill itself is fairly unremarkable, the views on offer are not: Win Hill, Ladybower Reservoir and the Derwent Valley beyond can all be seen on a moderately clear day.
Lose Hill to Hope
There are several options for the descent to Hope village. Whichever route you pick, it’s a pretty quick drop, slowed only by the amount of navigational choices you opt to take on-the-fly!
My strategy when planning the route was simple: as little road as possible. It descends quickly through a patchwork of farmland to emerge onto Eccles Close – right beside Hope Primary School.
Hope to Castleton
From Hope Primary School, head south along Edale Road, passing the Methodist church before following signs for Pindale near the Woodroffe Arms.
The road dips, then rises after a footbridge. After around 200 m, cross the road and turn right onto the public footpath signposted for Castleton.
This attractive riverside trail follows Peakshole Water for around 2 km back to Castleton. It’s a further 500 m back to the car park – and a little less to any of the pubs or cafés that take your fancy.
Final Thoughts: Hit or Miss?
This route has a lot to commend it.
Castleton is an ideal start point — well set up for runners and brimming with Peak District charm. The views from Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge are undeniably spectacular, with sweeping panoramas across both the Hope Valley and Edale.
It’s also a social route. I met plenty of runners and hikers along the way, all keen to chat and share their enthusiasm. The Peak District inspires real affection and it’s easy to see why.
That said, this was my least favourite run of a four-day trip. For me, it didn’t quite feel wild enough — more like a curated version of what a wild place should be. When a landscape feels closer to a recreational playground than something elemental, it loses some of its appeal.
Would I recommend it? Not outright. What I would say is: run it once and decide for yourself — which, of course, was the point all along.
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Disclaimer
All routes and GPX files are provided as a guide only. Conditions, rights of way, and landmarks may change. Always carry an up‑to‑date map and use your own judgement. See the Trail Run Disclaimer page for details.