Cave Dale and Winnats Pass from Castleton

This Peak District walk from Castleton takes you south and crosses some typical limestone scenery, providing some good views across the valley to Castleton's Great Ridge. You walk through Cave Dale and are also descend through the dramatic Winnats Pass.

Technical sheet

n°292990

A Castleton walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 13/03/24

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.33 km
Calculated time: 2h 50
Difficulty: Easy
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 254 m
Vertical drop: - 254 m
Highest point: 445 m
Lowest point: 191 m

Area: Peak District
District: Castleton
Start/End: N 53.34311° / W 1.77805°
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Description

Start: Car park adjacent to Castleton Tourism Information Centre (S33 8WN) Grid ref. SK 148 829

(S) Exit the car park, turn left along Buxton Road and walk as far as the T-junction. Turn right here along Back Street which leads to the Market Place. Bear left here and a short distance ahead you will see a footpath sign on your right (grid ref SK150827).

This path climbs quite steeply at first and leads you into Cave Dale with Peveril Castle perched high above you on your right. The route is never in doubt as you follow this typical limestone dale south. This section of the route follows the Limestone Way.

(1)Reaching a junction of paths (grid ref. SK135813), leave the Limestone Way and turn right along a track. After 300 metres the track veers right and continues across the undulating country passing Rowter Farm on your right. The views from this track are good with Mam Tor and the Castleton Ridge of particular note.

Reaching a road (grid ref. SK126826) take the signed footpath opposite across a field (rough pasture with quarries). Just before reaching the next road (grid ref. SK125831) bear sharp right on the footpath leading south east. This path leads to a road (grid ref. SK127830).

(2)Cross the road and take the footpath opposite, passing Winnats Head Farm on your right, to reach the road at the top of Winnats Pass (grid ref. SK130828). Turn left down the road. Note there is a path on the grass on the left hand side of the road and you can enjoy the rugged limestone crags as you descend towards Speedwell Cavern. You have two options from here.

Either follow the main road back into the centre of Castleton and the car park. There is a good footpath all the way into the village. Or you can avoid the road walking by taking the footpath that leaves the road on your right at grid ref. SK139827 and leads across fields into the village.(E)

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 191 m - Castleton car park
1 : km 2.69 - alt. 423 m - Turn right at path junction
2 : km 5.06 - alt. 402 m - Cross road and take footpath
S/E : km 7.33 - alt. 191 m - Castleton car park

Useful Information

Start & Parking: Car park adjacent to Castleton Tourism Information Centre (S33 8WN) Grid ref. SK 148 829

Refreshments: There are plenty of opportunities for refreshment in the village either before you start the walk or after you have returned.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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During the walk or to do/see around

Castleton offers some excellent walking with many routes radiating from the village with many walkers immediately drawn to the Castleton Ridge to the north. This route takes you south and crosses some typical limestone scenery, providing some good views across the valley to Castleton's Great Ridge.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 6 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.5 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5

Walk interest
4.3 / 5

Worthington

15 Nov 2021 at 03:57 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 10/11/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk. Steep and rugged path through Cave Dale which was slippery due to rain. This section is about 1/2 mile in length with a continuous steep incline. Afterwards it leads to a grassy path before leading to a proper lane. (Ignore a wooden footpath sign 500m before the lane). Lovely scenic walk back through Winnats Pass.

Danny Yee

02 Aug 2021 at 03:28 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 25/07/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, nice gorges at beginning and end, sheep and stone walls in between.

delsol79

31 Aug 2018 at 04:58 EDT

that v good walk, not too short. Beautiful scenery of landscape let you walk with satisfaction you in right place. First part walk is start in back of castle and is quite climb but Once you're up on the fields, it is lovely and quiet.

Trishtate

13 Aug 2018 at 04:57 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 13/08/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very enjoyable

traba

11 Jun 2018 at 14:50 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 09/06/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

johnhug

06 Jun 2018 at 02:25 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 30/05/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Quite a long climb up from Castleton but very scenic throigh Cavedale. Some lovely views across to Mam Tor and the Hope Valley.
I would recommend this walk.

nealcheese123

08 May 2018 at 02:56 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 06/05/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely, straightforward walk.

Despite being an easy walk, the first climb up Cave Dale is quite steep with slippery walks. Saw a few walkers struggling with the wrong foot wear, so be careful!

Once you're up on the fields, it is lovely and quiet.

Getting on to Winnats Pass was the weakest part of the walk. We had to walk down a busy road for a 100 or so metres. This is fine, but was not so restful.

Other walks in the area

Speedwell Cavern circular walk from Castelton

Departure from Castleton (Derbyshire)

This Peak District walk follows a relatively low level circuit of the head of the valley offering good views of the Great Ridge. You are also able to see the large landslip on the flank of Mam Tor.

Hollins Cross & Lose Hill from Castleton

Departure from Castleton (Derbyshire)

A Peak District walk that takes in some of the highlights of the area to the north of Castelton. The route is varied, offers some wonderful views and is generally easy to follow.

Mam Tor and Cave Dale from Castleton

Departure from Castleton (Derbyshire)

Hollins Cross, Mam Tor and Cavedale are highlights of this Peak District walk from Castleton. The walk includes both Dark and White Peak scenery and generally follows well marked footpaths.

Castleton to Mam Tor inc Winnats pass

Departure from Castleton (Derbyshire)

A picturesque walk with some steep climbs. Starts in Castleton and takes the limestone way through Cave Dale. The walk then works is way overland to Mam Tor and along the Great Ridge to Back Tor. From here the walk goes towards Blue John Cavern before descending via Winnat's Pass and then over the field back to Castleton. Some steep climbs most notably Mam Tor and Back Tor - also some steep and rocky terrain/descents.