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Rural Ramble 1: Edale to Castleton Circular

Distance: 9.5 miles
Price: £20.00 per person
(Group & family rates available)


View along the Great Ridge View along the Great Ridge View along the Great Ridge View along the Great Ridge View along the Great Ridge View along the Great Ridge
View along the "Great Ridge" from Mam Tor

This family-friendly circular walk is a true Peak District classic and one of our most popular walks, taking in some of the most famous hills and views in Derbyshire. In 2018, a survey of thousands of walkers by the Ordnance Survey and The Ramblers for the TV programme Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100 rated part of the route of this walk as the tenth most popular walk in the whole of the UK.

The walk begins and ends in the village of Edale, home to the start of the Pennine Way. From there, the route includes the "Great Ridge" that separates the Vale of Edale from the Hope Valley, the viewpoint at Lose Hill, the village of Castleton, world-famous as the home of the unique Blue John stone, plus one of the most famous closed roads in the UK and the ancient hill fort of Mam Tor.

While it does involve a total of 2,800 feet of ascent, this is still a very family-friendly walk. However, due to the exposed nature of the terrain on the "Great Ridge", the sometimes changeable weather and the significant erosion of some of the paths, you will need warm and waterproof clothing and a good pair of walking boots.


Duration (approx):
5 - 6 hours (including lunch).
Start point:
Edale Car Park,
Edale,
Derbyshire.
Start time:
10:30am.
End point:
Edale Car Park,
Edale,
Derbyshire.
Dates available:
Scheduled walks available on the following dates:
June 2nd, 5th, 7th, 16th, 19th, 22nd, 26th, 30th.
July 3rd, 14th, 17th, 20th, 24th, 26th, 29th, 31st.
August 7th, 9th, 12th, 17th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 31st.
September 4th, 8th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 29th.
October 2nd, 5th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, 30th.
November 2nd, 6th, 10th, 16th, 20th.
(Online pre-booking is essential for these walks.)

Private group bookings are also available on a date of your choosing via a Personal Walking Guide for any date from March 1st to November 23rd 2024.




When is this walk available?

Scheduled walks are available several times each month between the beginning of March and the end of November. If you wish to have the exclusive services of one of our guides, it is also available as a private booking on a date of your choice from March to November via a Personal Walking Guide. For Personal Walking Guide bookings, we are usually able to offer a range of different start times from 9:00am to 11:00am.

All bookings are subject to the availability of a suitable guide - Please see our online calendar or e-mail us for availability of your chosen date.


Is this walk Covid-secure?

At Derbyshire Heritage Walks we follow all current government and industry guidelines, and all of our guides have been fully vaccinated. Therefore you can be confident that this walk is as Covid-secure as we can possibly make it. Details of how we do this can be found here.

Will we have the exclusive services of the guide?

All of our scheduled walks are open to all. If you book onto a scheduled walk, then there is a chance that there may well be other people on the walk with you. If you wish to have the exclusive services of the guide, you MUST book a Personal Walking Guide.

Prices.

The following prices apply for this walk:

Ticket
Price
Deposit
(Included in overall price)
Adult or Child aged 16 and over
(Up to 8 people in group)
£20.00 per person
£5.00 per person
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of up to 5)
£60.00 per group
£20.00 per group
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 6 to 10)
£100.00 per group
£25.00 per group
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 11 or more)
£150.00 per group
£37.50 per group

Reduced rates for under-16s, plus discounted family tickets also available, giving cheaper prices for groups including children aged 15 and under. Please e-mail us for details and to book.

Travel to and from the walk.

As Edale is quite poorly served by public transport, we recommend that the best way to get to this walk is to drive. However, parking is quite limited and very popular. This means that it can sometimes be difficult to find a parking space unless you are prepared to arrive early, especially at weekends.

If you do need to use public transport to access this walk, then Edale is served by regular trains from Sheffield and Manchester, and Edale station is just a couple of minutes walk from the start and end point of the walk. There is currently only one bus services to Edale, the Number 62 "Peak Pathfinder" service from Buxton.

Information on how to get to and from this walk can be found on our travel information page.


Are there any disabled access issues?

Unfortunately, this walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or those with other mobility issues due to the terrain involved.

Is this walk suitable for dogs?

Yes, this walk is suitable for dogs. However, we do ask that you keep your dog under close control at all times. This is especially important on the sections of the walk that pass through fields where there may be livestock present. If you wish to bring your dog with you, please notify us beforehand.

Booking

You can book places on any of our scheduled walks via the PayPal button below. Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.

If you wish to make a Personal Walking Guide booking for this walk, please see our Personal Walking Guide booking page here.

Bookings for scheduled walks can be made at any time up to 48 hours before the intended date of your walk, or up to 72 hours beforehand for Personal Walking Guides. We regret that we cannot accept bookings made less than 48 hours prior to the planned start time of the walk (72 hours for Personal Walking Guide bookings).

Please ensure before booking that the date you require is not listed below and on our online calendar as unavailable or fully booked, and that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions.


Latest Booking News

  • Due to all guides being fully employed on other walks on those dates, we are unable to accept any bookings for October 5th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 24th and 25th, or November 7th, 9th and 30th. Please see our online calendar for full details of guide availability.
  • Bookings are open for all other scheduled dates listed, and close at 1:00pm two days prior to the date of the walks.
  • We are now accepting Personal Walking Guide bookings for this walk for Mondays, some Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, Fridays, most Saturdays and some Sundays from March 1st to November 23rd 2024.
  • We are also accepting advance enquiries for March to November 2025.

Book A Scheduled Walk

Please select the number of places you would like to book and enter the date required.

Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.

By placing a booking with us, you are accepting and agreeing to our terms and conditions.

Number of places
Date required
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Book A Personal Walking Guide

To book a Personal Walking Guide for this walk, please go to our Personal Walking Guide page.

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Rural Ramble 1: Edale to Castleton Circular
Distance: 9.5 miles Duration: 5 to 6 hours Price: £20.00 per person
(Group and family rates available)



View along the "Great Ridge" from Mam Tor
(© Rachel Docherty)
This family-friendly circular walk is a true Peak District classic, taking in some of the most famous hills and views in Derbyshire.

The walk begins in the village of Edale, and quickly ascends to Hollin's Cross on the famous "Great Ridge" that separates the Vale of Edale from the Hope Valley. Following the well-trodden footpath along the top of the ridge, the walk offers fine views across the Hope Valley on one side, and towards Kinder Scout on the other. From the end of the ridge at Lose Hill, it descends into the Hope Valley to pass through the village of Castleton, world-famous as the home of the unique Blue John stone. Leaving Castleton via a little-used and quiet footpath, the walk passes two of the Blue John mines before ascending one of the most famous closed roads in the UK. It then rejoins the "Great Ridge" at the ancient hill fort of Mam Tor to follow the ridge-top footpath back to Hollin's Cross before descending to finish back in the village of Edale.

This walk is certainly one of our most popular, and with good reason. In 2018, a survey of thousands of walkers by the Ordnance Survey and The Ramblers for the TV programme Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100 rated the walk along the "Great Ridge" as the tenth most popular walk in the whole of the UK.

This walk is easily accessible by train from Sheffield and Manchester, and by changing trains at Sheffield can also be easily accessed from Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham and elsewhere. The start and end point of the walk is also adjacent to the main car park in Edale.

While it does involve a total of 2,800 feet of ascent, this is still a very family-friendly walk. However, due to the exposed nature of the terrain on the "Great Ridge", the sometimes changeable weather and the significant erosion of some of the paths, you will need warm and waterproof clothing and a good pair of walking boots.

Distance: 9.5 miles.
Duration (approx): 5 to 6 hours (including lunch).
Start point: Edale Car Park,
Edale,
Derbyshire.
Start time: 10:30am
End point: Edale Car Park,
Edale,
Derbyshire.
Dates available: Available as an open walk from March to November on a date of your choosing on Mondays, some Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, Fridays, most Saturdays and some Sundays.

Scheduled walks available on the following dates:
June 2nd, 5th, 7th, 16th, 19th, 22nd, 26th, 30th.
July 3rd, 14th, 17th, 20th, 24th, 26th, 29th, 31st.
August 7th, 9th, 12th, 17th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 31st.
September 4th, 8th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 29th.
October 2nd, 5th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, 30th.
November 2nd, 6th, 10th, 16th, 20th.
(Online pre-booking is essential for these walks.)

Private group bookings are also available on a date of your choosing via a Personal Walking Guide for any date from March 1st to November 23rd 2024. (Subject to availability.)




When is this walk available?

This walk is available as a scheduled walk several times each month between the beginning of March and the end of November. It may also be booked privately on a date of your choice by booking a Personal Walking Guide.

If you make a private booking for this walk, you can also request a different start time if desired. While we cannot guarantee this time, we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Please note that, for bookings in late November and early March especially, there is the possibility that the walk may take place in snow or icy conditions. This can make conditions difficult on top of the "Great Ridge", or make access to the start and finish point of the walk difficult as the roads are easily blocked by snow. There is also the possibility, at any time of year, of high winds or strong gusts on top of the "Great Ridge". Usually these are just an inconvenience, but experience has shown that winds or gusts over 45 miles per hour can be difficult to walk in and potentially hazardous. If we believe that the forecast weather conditions could be potentially hazardous, we will attempt to notify you at least 24 hours in advance to give you the option of cancelling or rescheduling your booking.



Prices.

The following prices apply for this walk:

Ticket Price Deposit
(Included in overall price)
Adult or Child aged 16 and over
(Up to 8 people in group)
£20.00 per person £5.00 per person
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of up to 5)
£60.00 per group £20.00 per group
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 6 to 10)
£100.00 per group £25.00 per group
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 11 or more)
£150.00 per group £37.50 per group
Reduced rates for under-16s, plus discounted family tickets also available, giving cheaper prices for groups including children aged 15 and under. Please e-mail us for details and to book.


Travel to and from the walk.

This walk is easily accessible from both Sheffield and Manchester via public transport. As both of these cities have good connections to the surrounding area, it can also be accessed from many other towns and cities including Derby, Nottingham, Buxton, Chesterfield and Matlock. It can also be accessed by car, although parking can be an issue in Edale on busy days. Full details of how to get to and from the walk will be included in the walk information sheet you will be sent along with your booking confirmation, but detailed information on the various public transport options is also available on our travel information page, which we try to keep as up to date as possible.

Edale is within the areas covered by both the Derbyshire Wayfarer and Greater Manchester Wayfarer day rover tickets. Both may be used on any train services to and from the village at weekends and on Bank Holidays, and the Derbyshire Wayfarer may also be used on the 9:14am train from Sheffield to Edale on weekdays as well. As the Greater Manchester Wayfarer is not valid on weekday trains until 9:30am, it is not possible to use this on the 8:48am weekday train from Manchester Piccadilly to Edale.



Is there anything special I need to bring?

Given the nature of this walk, and the fact that some short sections of the route can be quite muddy if the weather has been wet, a good pair of walking boots is essential. The weather around Edale and Castleton can be quite variable and there is little shelter along much of the route, so it is important to also have a good set of waterproof clothing, just in case. As the walk takes place in all weathers, and the section along the "Great Ridge" is very exposed, you may need warm clothing too - even on an otherwise warm and sunny day, the winds on the top of the ridge can be surprisingly cold. It is also recommended that you bring sufficient food and water with you as there are few opportunities to purchase either along the route of the walk, apart from a couple of small shops in Castleton. If you have a reusable water bottle, this can now be refilled for free at the Castleton Visitor Centre.



Are there any disabled access issues?

Unfortunately, this walk is not suitable for wheelchairs due to the terrain involved. Those with other mobility issues may also find difficulty with sections of the route where the ground is very rocky and uneven. For this reason, this walk is not recommended for those with mobility issues.



Is this walk suitable for dogs?

Yes, this walk is suitable for dogs. However, we do ask that you keep your dog under close control at all times. This is especially important on the sections of the walk that pass through fields where there may be livestock present. If you wish to bring your dog with you, please notify us beforehand.



Booking

You can book places on any of our open or scheduled walks via the PayPal button below. Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.

If you wish to make a Personal Walking Guide booking for this walk, please see our Personal Walking Guide booking page here.

Bookings for open or scheduled walks can be made at any time up to 48 hours before the intended date of your walk, or up to 72 hours beforehand for Personal Walking Guides. We regret that we cannot accept bookings made less than 48 hours prior to the planned start time of the walk (72 hours for Personal Walking Guide bookings).

Please ensure before booking that the date you require is not listed below and on our online calendar as unavailable or fully booked, and that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions.

Personal Walking Guide Availability - Edale to Castleton Circular
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Bank Holidays
Yes Some* Yes Some* Yes Most* Some* Most*
* = Please contact us for details of availability


Book a place on this walk

Latest booking news

  • Due to all guides being fully employed on other walks on those dates, we are unable to accept any bookings for October 5th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 24th and 25th, or November 7th, 9th and 30th. Please see our online calendar for full details of guide availability.
  • Bookings are open for all other scheduled dates listed, and close at 1:00pm two days prior to the date of the walks.
  • We are now accepting open walk and Personal Walking Guide bookings for this walk for Mondays, some Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, Fridays, most Saturdays and some Sundays from March 1st to November 23rd 2024.
  • We are also accepting advance enquiries for March to November 2025.


Important: Before booking, please make sure that the date you wish to book is not listed as already being fully booked in the "Latest booking news" section above.

Please select the number of places you would like to book and enter the date required.

Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.

By placing a booking with us, you are accepting and agreeing to our terms and conditions.

If you encounter any problems with your booking, or have any questions about this walk, please e-mail us.

Number of places
Date required
PayPal Logo



GuideAdvisor



Cookie policy

Like almost every other website on the Internet today, this site does use cookies. The only thing they are used for is as part of Google Analytics, so that we can tell how successful this site is at attracting visitors and which pages they look at most. If you don't want cookies on your system, then please don't view this site any further, as we can't change the underlying technology used by Google Analytics. We also suggest that you clear your cookies after leaving this site.