Walking Route - Edale Circuit, Peak District
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Edale >
Crowden Tower > Mam Tor >
Edale
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Average Time: 5 hours 20
minutes
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Distance: 10.4 miles (16.6km)
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Height Gain: 2183 ft (666m)
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Use the last of the light before the clocks go back to take in some of the best scenery in the Dark Peak, including Kinder Plateau, Mam Tor, and the Lose Hill ridge.
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Maps: OS LR 110, Explorer
OL1
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 3
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Start Point: SK121 860
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Overview Make use of the last few days before the clocks go back for an alternative route around Edale. Take in the southern edge of the Kinder Plateau, then traverse over to Mam Tor and the Lose Hill ridge with the Dark Peak to one side and White Peak to the other before dropping back down into Edale. The walk is also suitable for those wanting to use public transport, with Edale Station lying on the Manchester to Sheffield line.
Mam Tor by Richard Nicholls
Section 1: Edale to Crowden Tower
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Distance: 2.5 miles (4km)
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Height Gain: 1328ft (405m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 40 mins
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From the main car park, or the railway station, take the road into the village past the Tourist Information Centre on the right to The Nag's Head pub - the official start of the Pennine Way. Shortly after the pub turn right at the “Grindsbrook” signpost to a wooden bridge and a gate that allows access to the open moorland. High up to your right the gritstone edges of Upper Tor give you an indication of the climb ahead.
Follow the right hand side of Grinds Brook, on a well paved route through open grazing. Where the path divides stick to the paved route, which slowly climbs through trees before dropping slightly to another gate and a small feeder stream.
From this point onwards the route climbs the ever narrowing Grindsbrook as it curves round to the left. As you follow the curve of the brook the edge of the plateau comes into view, and where the route splits you stick to the left hand side for the final climb to the Fox Holes. From here the path heads west on a well paved path to Crowden Tower.
Grindsbrook, by Dave Mycroft
Section 2: Crowden Tower to Mam Tor
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Distance: 5.7 miles (9.1km)
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Height Gain: 696ft (212m)
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Average Time: 2 hours 40 mins
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From Crowden Tower the path sweeps round the southern edge of the Kinder Plateau, heading west past Pym Chair and Edale Head to join the path from Kinder Low and the Downfall as it turns south. The path now drops more steeply to junction, with Edale Cross a few yards off to your right, then climbs againly briefly to Brown Knoll.
For the next mile and three quarters the path crosses open moorland, remaining fairly level as it crosses over the Cowburn Tunnel carrying the Manchester to Sheffield railway, then swings left to climb the gentle slopes of Rushop Edge. Down to the right the fields are dotted with swallow holes where the millstone grit meets the limestone and water runs off into some of the country's biggest and deepest caves.
After a mile Rushop Edge starts to drop away to Mam Nick, a notch in the Rushop Edge/Mam Tor ridge used by the Edale to Castleton road. Cross the road and go through the National Trust gate then take the short paved ascent to Mam Tor. Here, on a good day, you have the ridge to Hope ahead with the Edale Valley to the left and Hope Valley to the right, showing the difference instantly between White Peak and Dark Peak.
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On Kinder's Southern Edge
from Matt C's Some Favourite Pics - Assorted Trips album
Section 3: Mam Tor to Edale
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Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5km)
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Height Gain: 159ft (49m)
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After the long trek to Mam Tor the majority of the route is now downhill. Follow the ridge east from Mam Tor, dropping to a path junction at Hollins Cross. The paths can get a little confusing here, and the one you want is the first on the left, almost going back on itself at first, to a fork part way down the slope.
Go straight ahead at the fork, using the village of Edale as a marker, and descend to the Hope to Edale road. Cross the road and take the short path directly opposite to emerge in the village centre and turn back left for the start point or take in one of the two village pubs or Information Centre while you're there.
Sunset over Mam Tor from Dean Morgan's Peak District album
David Evans 3
