2 BEST Castleton Circular Walks (Mam Tor + Win Hill)| Peak District

The Peak District is the third most popular National Park in the UK with over 9 million visitors a year. It’s close to my home in Nottingham so makes a perfect UK day trip or weekend break away to enjoy some walking.

Castleton in the Peak District is a great place to base yourself as there are many circular walks you can do in different directions from the village. On my two-day trip, I did two circular walks from Castleton as a starting point.

On my two-day trip, I did two circular walks from Castleton

Walk one is a 9-mile route taking you through Hope and Aston and up to the top of Win Hill for gorgeous views of Ladybower Reservoir. And walk two from Castleton is a 6-mile route and includes the popular Mam Tor walk.

This hike was voted number 10 in Britain’s Top 100 walks so don’t just take my word for it the whole of Britain thinks it’s an awesome walk!

Both walks have options for shortcuts if you want to do a shorter walk!

Contents show

Castleton Walk 1 – (Win Hill via Hope)

Peak District, Derbyshire

Walk Information

Start/end point: Castleton Village

Walk Distance: 14.5 km/ 9.25 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Total Ascent: 2,111 ft/ 643 m

Difficulty: Hard

Map: OS Explorer OL1 – The Peak District (Dark Peak area)

Buy your map from Ordnance Survey here

Castleton to Hope

Stage 1

Following Peakshole Water from Castleton village

Walk distance: 2 km

Leaving Castleton village, walk down the A6187 until you reach a footpath signposted to Hope heading alongside Peakshole Water. After about 1 km you reach a train line that you’ll need to cross.

Be sure to check carefully before you step across. Amber flashing lights mean stop, so don’t risk it! Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like your mum, but I want you to have a safe walk :).

You can also tick this off your things to do whilst hiking list here!

Once over the train line, you will continue on the footpath until you reach Hope. here you take a left turn onto the road, then a right and the footpath will be on your left-hand side of the road.

Tip – if you forgot to go to the toilet before you left there is a public toilet in Hope!

Hope to Hope Station

Stage 2

Castleton circular walk in The Peak District — Crossing the bridge at Hope station on the walk

Walk distance: 2.75 km

The path takes you up across open fields and you have some beautiful views of the valley below. Here is an old Navio Roman Fort, although don’t expect to see much evidence of this!

Follow the footpath across these fields until you reach the road at Brough.

Take a left and then you can cut diagonally across through a field, there is a stile right in the far corner. Crossover and continue for a short distance on the road.

Here the path takes you across the railway bridge at Hope station. Once over the bridge take a right and then shortly after you’ll come across the footpath on your left.

Read next: Hiking UK – 22 Best day hikes in the UK by travel bloggers

Hope Station to Win Hill

Stage 3

Sat on a bench - Castleton circular walks Peak District — Lunch stop at Edge Farm

Walk distance: 2.5 km

Follow this footpath all the way up to Aston. Watch out for cute little bridges that distract you from the path (haha yes I wasn’t paying attention and cross a bridge only to end up in the corner of a boggy field with no gate!)

Keep heading north and you will be fine.

And here’s where I made my second mistake, as you reach the end of the path, there’s a track heading north (don’t take this route!). You need to turn left and follow the road which then takes you on the right path!

Keep walking up this road and it then takes you on to a footpath up to Edge Farm. There’s a little bench here which is a great place to stop for lunch.

Now you keep on the path for about 0.5 km, until the paths cross. At this point, you can choose which to take the path, heading right takes you up to Win Hill.

A short extension on your circular walk, but well worth it!

It’s about 1 km up to the top of Win Hill but on a clear day, the views are stunning to Ladybower Reservoir so I’d recommend it. As you reach the top you can take the path, or if you’re like me you can scramble to the top!

All photos were taken using my tripod. Check out which ones I recommend here – Best hiking tripods.

Win Hill to Townhead Bridge

Stage 4

Stunning views from Win Hill – a great hike from Castleton

Walk distance: 3.5 km

Once you’ve spent plenty of time enjoying the views you can then head back down the same path but this time after 300 m continue straight heading west. This path curves round to the right, towards a wooded area after 2 km.

Here you then take the path almost doubling back but leads you downhill along a narrow track.

There are beautiful views of Lose Hill on your right. Follow this footpath south and on to a road for 1.5 km.

But be sure not to follow the signs for the footpath at Fulwood Stile Farm. Instead, keep right along the road which takes you back across the train line.

Townhead Bridge to Castleton

Stage 5

Castleton circular walks in The Peak District — Heading back into Castleton to complete the walk

Walk distance: 3.5 km

At Townhead Bridge, turn left onto the road and then further up the road a footpath continues on your right.

Follow the signs to Lose Hill, you’re now starting to head back uphill again. As the path splits take the left-hand path which leads you to Losehill Farm. There are quite a few footpaths around here so it’s easier to take the wrong one.

But head south towards Spring House Farm and take a right along past Losehill Hall (this is where the YHA is situated if you choose to stay here then you’re back!)

If not, then it’s a short final walk in Castleton and a well-deserved beer at one of the pubs!

Read my review of my Berghaus Paclite jacket here (wearing above!)