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The Mam tor walk is one of the best Peak District family walks. A top spot for some quality family time in 2026. Mam tor itself affords excellent views over the Hope valley and over Edale and towards Kinder Scout. Along the trail you can also see ancient Iron age forts. This route also includes a section along the Old Mam tor road – a road that is now broken to pieces due to a landslide in the area. This may sound a little intimidating for families with children – but the road is a relatively safe route with minimal sections that have steep drops. The road itself is stable to walk along.
Having grown up in the Peak District and spent many happy hours exploring, we’re super excited to share the best bits with you. Near the Mam tor walk you can see the spectacular winnats pass (a steep road running through a dramatic valley with cliff edges) and don’t miss Castleton with its quaint backstreets and cosy country pubs. If you have more time, Edale and Kinder Scout are also well worth a visit.
Is the Mam tor walk suitable for families with children?
Yes! This Mam tor walk is a great walk for families with kids. The 3.5km distance will take around 1-2 hours depending on your pace. The route is not suitable for prams or pushchairs. If you have children that are not able to walk, we recommend a sling or backpack carrier for this one.
How long is the Mam tor walk?
The walk that we have recommended in this guide is 3.5km (around 2 miles) and will take around 1-2 hours at a steady pace. If you’re looking for something more challenging there is also a great Castleton round walk. The distance is around 10km (6 miles) and includes more hill climbing. The longer route takes you through Cave dale past Peveril castle, onto Mam tor, along the Old Mam tor road and then down the top of Winnats pass.
Can you buy food or drink near the Mam tor walk?
There are no shops or cafes on the walk route itself. The closest place to buy food is Castleton village where you will find a fish and chip shop and several pubs serving food and drinks. We recommend bringing food and drinks on the walk with you.
What do I need to bring on the Mam tor walk?
The section along Mam tor ridge is quite exposed and it is windy at this location most of the year. We recommend that you bring waterproof clothing and plenty of layers for warmth. Wear good footwear for walking along uneven terrain.
Mam tor walk route guide (3.5km)
- Highlights: Amazing views, Mam tor ridge and trig point, Iron age forts, Mam tor landslide road.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Round walk
- Distance: 3.5 km / 2 miles
- How long does it take to walk? 1-2 hours depending on stop time and pace
- Best time to visit: On a clear evening expect amazing sunsets. At peak times (weekends and school holidays) parking can be difficult in the area.
- Start location: Mam Nic car park or roadside parking at the start of the Mam tor trail: GPS coordinates 53.347258815737106, -1.8137235788027741
- Getting there: You can get to Mam tor by car. The closest public transport link is Castleton. You can take the 272 bus from Sheffield which runs along the Hope valley to Castleton.
Starting from the roadside parking Mam nic, walk up the trail towards Mam tor.
Near the top of the trail notice the Iron age forts to the left of the path – these look like unusual bumps in the grassy ground. At Mam tor summit you will see a trig point and on a clear day you should be able to see a spectacular view of the Hope Valley. Take care at the Mam tor summit. To your right (towards the East over the Hope valley) there is a cliff drop. Stay on the main path which is a clear path following the ridge towards Hollins Cross and Lose Hill.
Follow this path for approximately 1km along the Mam tor ridge until you see a sharp left turn back on yourself and down the hill.
Follow this small path down the hill towards the Old Mam tor road. When you reach the Old Mam tor orad turn right and start walking up the road. There are some impressive sections of broken road. Keep following the Old road until you reach the new road at the top.
Walk along the new road around 500m until you reach a junction. Turn right and walk carefully along the road. Keep an eye out for a public footpath to the right of the road.
This footpath leads up over a field to the start point of the walk. Take this footpath to complete the Mam tor walk.
What else is there to see and do near the Mam tor walk?
Near the Mam tor walk you can also visit Castleton village and explore the quaint backstreets, antique shops and cafes. Don’t miss Peak Cavern (also known as “The Devil’s Arse”). Castleton is also home to several other amazing caves such as Blue John cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern. Peveril Castle is also well worth a visit – located on a hill overlooking Castleton. If you have time we recommend a visit to Edale. Another great spot for more intrepid walks.
Don’t miss the Winnats pass, whether you walk or drive up the Winnats pass it is bound to take your breath away. Lady Bower reservoir is also not too far from Mam tor and is a great spot for scenic walks. Don’t miss our ultimate guide if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas for Peak District family walks and Peak District walks with toddlers.
