Mam Tor
Approaching Mam Tor from the south
Location (summit): SK 127 836
Getting there: Most will climb from Castleton or from the road near Rushup Edge, but can also be tackled from Edale, or as part of a longer walk - taking in the ‘Great Ridge, or Edale Circular Walk. Parking available in Castleton, Hope and Edale (paid), and also limited parking at the National Trust site near the summit
Height (marked by trig point on summit): 517m
Prominence: 62m
Map: OL1 (Peak District (Dark Peak Area))
One of the most popular destinations in the Peak District, Mam Tor provides history, legend plus a fantastic ridge walking experience, with expansive views into both the Edale and Hope valleys.
Located within easy reach of Castleton, and with a car park only 5 minutes from the summit, the spot is popular with people seeking an easy and quick opportunity to be on top of the world, but for those looking for a longer experience, there is plenty to fill your day out.
Mam Tor is typically walked with the ridge that extends to the east from its summit. Walk along here, and look across Edale to your left, with the Kinder Plateau looming in the background, and the Castleton and hope below you to the right, as you head towards the first stop on the ridge tour: Hollins Cross.
Hollins Cross marks the lowest point on the ridge between Edale and Castleton, and so became a major route between the two settlements. It is said that coffins were taken via this route from Edale to the church in Hope for burial.
Mam Tor, and the ridge, from the Edale Valley
After Hollins Cross, there is then Back Tor, an intimidating looking outcrop, which has a bark worse than its bite. Finally, there is then a stretch to Lose Hill, the final point on the ridge.
The approach to Back Tor, just after sunset
The Mam Tor summit is the site of a Bronze Age and an Iron Age Fort, and burial mounds are present just below the summit of Mam Tor, and Lose Hill.
The Mam Tor summit - the paved area now covers (and protects) the burial mounds
Mam Tor is made up of sandstone and shale grit , sitting on top of a bed of Limestone. It is this bed of Limestone that host a number of caves, including the show caves of Blue John Cavern, Speedwell cavern, Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern, as well as the nearby Cave Dale.
Sadly the composition of sandstone and shale grit has made Mam Tor quite unstable, earning it the name ‘the Shivering Mountain’. The south face is an active landslide, forming multiple smaller summits over the years, and estimated to be moving 25cm per year. A road, the ‘Mam Tor Road’, a major route from Sheffield to Chapel-en-le-Frith, used to pass along the southern face of the hill, but this was eventually abandoned in 1979 due to the constant repairs needed to keep it open. Remains of the road still exist.
