🌼 Buttercup Cottage (up to 6) a cosy English cottage stay in Castleton village.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK TO THE MAM TOR SUMMIT?
Our specific Mam Tor walking route below is the easiest way to get to the summit. From the National Trust Mam Tor car park, walking 10 to 15 minutes straight uphill to the Mam Tor summit.
From here, continue along the flat Mam Tor ridge path to the Great Ridge, before returning back the way you came.
This return route is 3 miles in total, and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete!
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO WALK TO MAM TOR SUMMIT?
The most challenging part of the walk up to the Mam Tor summit from the National Trust car park is the first 5 to 10 minutes, as you walk up steep stone steps to ascend the hill to the summit. It is fully pathed all the way, well signposted and easy to follow.
After you reach the top and the summit, the walk along the ridge is mainly flat with a clear and safe inlaid stone path to follow.
POINT 1
Park up at the National Trust Mam Tor car park. From here, walk uphill towards the top of the car park, where you will see an obvious dirt path continuing uphill.
This is the start of your Mam Tor walking route. Follow this dirt path for a few minutes.
Point 1. Walk to the top of the car park and begin your Mam Tor walking route up this obvious dirt path!
Point 1. Walk to the top of the car park and begin your Mam Tor walking route up this obvious dirt path!
Did You Know: UK’s National Parks, including the Peak District National Park, are areas where people live and work. There are no specific opening times, barriers and no entry charge!
Emerging from the short uphill walk from the car park, you will step out from below the trees and see a wooden gate directly in front of you. Walk through this gate.
Begin to make your ascent uphill on the wide stone steps.
Point 2. As the dirt path ends at the top of the mini hill, walk through the wooden gate directly in front of you.
Point 2. Begin to make your ascent up the wide stone steps.
POINT 3
Continue to make your way slowly up the steep gradient of the hill on the designated inset paving.
Take the opportunity to stop for a drink, a brief rest and to take in the incredible panoramic scenery beginning to emerge as you ascend to this higher level!
When the paved steps eventually become flat inlaid stone, you know you are very close to…
Point 3. Continue to make your gradual ascent up the steep profile of Mam Tor. Stick to the designated paved stone steps.
Point 3. Take advantage of rest and water breaks by taking in the incredible scenery beginning to emerge at this higher level!
Point 3. Take advantage of rest and water breaks by taking in the incredible scenery beginning to emerge at this higher level!
Point 3. When the paved steps eventually become flat inlaid stone, you know you are very close to…
POINT 4
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the Mam Tor trig point summit, and are now at an elevation of 517 metres! Woop woop!
Take your photograph with the iconic trig point stone landmark in the centre, and be sure not to miss the bronze plaques around the circle – symbolising the Celtic fort that once stood here 3,000 years ago!
Point 4. Congratulations – You’ve made it to the Mam Tor trig point summit!
Point 4. Be sure not to miss the bronze plaques around the circle – symbolising the Celtic fort that once stood here 3,000 years ago!
After reaching the Mam Tor trig point summit, it is now totally up to you how far you want to walk across the Mam Tor ridge path. The path from this point remains relatively flat, and is a consistently clear paved path.
For a time guideline, we continued along the Mam Tor Ridge Path until we reached the Great Ridge, then decided to return back. In total, our walk was approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Point 5. After the summit, continue to walk along the Mam Tor ridge on the paved pathway.
Point 5. After the summit, continue to walk along the Mam Tor ridge on the paved pathway.
Point 5. Feel free to stop and sit along the grass verge to take in the incredible scenery!
Point 5. Just before the Great Ridge, take a short detour on the lower level to see the resident cows!
POINT 6
Walk as far as you want along the straight forward Mam Tor ridge walk, before returning exactly the way you came.
Enjoy seeing the majestic Mam Tor peak from a totally different and full perspective on your return!
Point 6. Enjoy seeing the majestic Mam Tor peak from a totally different and full perspective on your return back!
BEST PARKING FOR THIS MAM TOR WALK
The best and closest car park, ideal for our easiest Mam Tor walking route, is the National Trust Mam Tor car park. This privately-owned car park is the closest and most convenient place to park for this Mam Tor walking route to the summit.
Pictured: The National Trust Mam Tor car park. This is the most convenient and closest car park to reach the Mam Tor summit.
HOW TO PAY AT THIS CAR PARK
This is a reasonably priced Pay & Display car park, which can only be paid by using Paybyphone, either by downloading their app or on their website. There is no option to pay by cash or card.
Pictured: A sign in National Trust Mam Tor car park, Peak District
If you are a National Trust member, parking at this Mam Tor car park is free. Simply scan your NT membership card QR code at the ticket meter.
FACILITIES AT THIS CAR PARK
Unfortunately, there are no toilet facilities at the National Trust Mam Tor car park. Depending on the time of year, you may see a pop-up drinks van, however this is run by an individual vendor, not by the National Trust.
FREE PARKING FOR MAM TOR – WITH A WARNING!
As you approach this car park, you will see a load of lay-bys along the road. You can park here for free (these fill up super early) but whatever you do, do not park anywhere outside of the designated lay-by.
We saw cars that had their back wheels on the grass verge who had been issued a yellow ticket and parking fine by the traffic wardens, who patrol this road daily.
Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.
High factor sun cream.
Additional sun protective clothing, including a sun cap and sunglasses.
A packed lunch / snacks to enjoy with a view when you reach Scale Force waterfall! Take all your rubbish back with you.
IN THE COLDER MONTHS
Lightweight day jacket, we love our Regatta jacket!
Lots of layers of loose clothing to take off / keep on dependant on how cold it is. We would recommend full-length leggings, t-shirts, fleece layer, thick socks, gloves, scarf, bobble hat, etc.
Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.
A spare pair of normal shoes to change into before you get back in the car! It is likely your boots will get a bit muddy here especially in the Winter months.
ABOUT MAM TOR: “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
WHAT IS MAM TOR?
Mam Tor is a 517 metre high hill, located deep in the heart of the Peak District National Park, UK. The name ‘Mam Tor’ translates to “Mothering Hill”, a nick-name gained by being surrounded by other much smaller hills.
Approximately 3,000 years ago, it was home to our Iron Age ancestors who used it as a stronghold fort, choosing the perfect spot of the summit to see for miles!
DOES MAM TOR GET BUSY?
Yes, the Mam Tor walking route can get very busy, especially during peak times of weekends and school holidays.
The easy accessibility to the summit and incredible views as the top is why Mam Tor is one of the most famous and popular walks to do when visiting the Peak District National Park.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MAM TOR?
Mam Tor is accessible throughout the whole year subject to severe weather conditions. We would not advise the Mam Tor walk in the Winter when conditions are really icy.
The best time to do this Mam Tor walking route would be avoiding busy periods (i.e. weekends and public holidays) to get a quieter, more authentic experience with minimal people.
Likewise, rainy weather will cause the views from the top of Mam Tor to be concealed or non-existent, so to visit early on a dry sunny day will make the Mam Tor walk all the more enjoyable.
Jordie Flain is the owner and author of The Flains Travel, a travel blog with emphasis on ethical wildlife experiences, "seen to be believed" natural beauty and "real magic" phenomena, such as the northern lights. Jordie crafts every itinerary and post to perfection for travellers to follow and get the very most out of their time in a destination.
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