■Distance: 8¼ miles/13.3km ■Time: 5 hours ■Grade: Challenging
The Great Ridge is the best known and most dramatic ridge The Peak District has to offer.
It links Mam Tor (1696ft/517m) to Lose Hill (1562ft/476m) passing over Barker Bank and Back Tor on the way.
It makes a superb high-level walk with outstanding views in all directions.
After following the entire ridge this route then passes through Hope and Castleton (with the option of a visit to two great pubs) before climbing a dramatic broken road back to the start.
SEE FEATURE ON PAGE 36
1 Start
Exit car park at top up steps to follow path to road. Go R through gate to climb steps continuing on path to summit of Mam Tor.
Take the descending ridge path ahead passing through two gates to reach path crossroads and stone cairn at Hollins Cross. Continue ahead up Barker Bank.
Pass through two gates soon descending to go L through gate at a col near woods.
Go R rising on path to summit of Back Tor.
Continue ahead along the ridge with a fence R.
Descend to col then rise through gate to follow rising path to summit Lose Hill.
2 2½ miles/4km
Take descending paved path S to pass through gate. Stay ahead on descending ridge path heading SE.
Continue on path to wall. Go L on path down to pass through gate. Continue on path beyond descending to cross stile to driveway. Go L to road. Go R down to another road. Go R, on to Cheshire Cheese pub.
PLAN YOUR WALK
Start/parking P&D car park at Mam Nick just off road below Mam Tor, grid ref SK123832, nearest postcode S33 8WA (can fill up quickly, arrive early) Is it for me?
Mostly wellsigned.
Long stretch of high ridge exposed to bad weather.
Lanes/roads, one busy stretch.
Steep ups/ downs, some rough going Stiles 5
Nearest town Chapel-enle-Frith Refreshments Options in Castleton and Hope:
The Cheshire Cheese Inn, Hope (01433 620381);
Peak Inn, Castleton (01433 620247) Public toilets Car park in Hope and near Visitor Centre in Castleton
