Hollins Cross & Lose Hill from Castleton

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.

Technical sheet

293061
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.52 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 335 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 337 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 456 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 188 m

Description

(S)The start is the village of Castleton, where there is a large pay and display car park adjacent to the Tourism Information Centre at grid ref. SK149829. Exit the car park and 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. Here bear right and continue along The Stones which leads directly into Goosehill. Towards the end of this lane take the signed footpath (grid ref. SK147826) bearing right towards Speedwell Cavern with the wall to your immediate right. This path climbs gently offering good views to your right of the Castleton Ridge which you will be walking shortly.(1)

Reaching the road by Speedwell Cavern (grid ref. SK139827), take the footpath almost opposite (just to your right). This leads through a field to a junction of paths (not too evident) where you keep straight on climbing steadily above Treak Cliff Cavern to reach Blue John Cavern at the top of the climb where you turn right down the access road.(2)

Reaching the 'main' road, turn right. Almost immediately you will encounter the remains of the major landslip beneath Mam Tor which has severed the main road. Continue along this old road until it turns sharp right. On the bend there is a minor lane leading to Mam Farm. Just to the left of this lane, is a path (marked on OS maps) that leads across the hillside towards Hollins Cross. Follow this until you reach the ridge with its prominent toposcope.(3)

Once on the ridge bear right and continue along what can be a very busy path. Reaching the climb up to Back Tor (grid ref. SK144848), keep left and continue to the trig point on Lose Hill. The views on both sides are excellent with the valley containing Castleton to your right and the rough moorland of Kinder Scout to your left.(4)

The descent starts here and your first objective is Lose Hill Farm, which lies to the south. Approaching the farm, keep left and continue down to Spring House Farm. Turn right here and using a mix of tracks and paths continue west to reach Hollowford Road (grid ref. SK147834). Turn left down the lane and you will soon be back in Castleton.(E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 190 m - Castledon pay and display car park
  2. 1 : km 1.51 - alt. 251 m - Speedwell Cavern
  3. 2 : km 2.67 - alt. 369 m - Blue John Cavern
  4. 3 : km 4.24 - alt. 381 m - Hollins Cross
  5. 4 : km 6.19 - alt. 456 m - Lose Hill
  6. S/E : km 9.51 - alt. 191 m - Castledon pay and display car park

Practical information

This walk includes a section of the Great Ridge to the north of Castleton. The route also passes a number of the show caves in the area that are famous for Blue John Crystal. The start is the village of Castleton, which is a popular spot for tourists. There is a large pay and display car park adjacent to the Tourism Information Centre at grid ref. SK149829. 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.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Janeandmartin
Janeandmartin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 31/05/20
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We did this walk in reverse but it was still easy to follow although a lot of the paths were very muddy- hardly a surprise in January! Lots of spots to get refreshments in Castleton and Hope. Could enjoy a trip down one of the mines if you had time too.

buzzb
buzzb

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : 02/07/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

all good apart from blue cavern bit confusing the instructions but we worked it out

taxitone
taxitone

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 08/06/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This is a straight forward, but rewarding 3 hour walk.
No problems with navigation, but don’t expect to have the hills to yourself especially at weekends.
Get there early to miss the crowds

dawny_prawny
dawny_prawny

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 25/05/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

we did the shortened version of the walk cutting back through the gorge. hard work at first getting up onto the ridge but very worth it once up there. amazing views of both the white and dark peak and lots of potential to be expanded accross all the ridges. very enjoyable walk

Streatfield
Streatfield

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 17/04/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk and scenery. We took a slightly different route and went up to the ridge just after Mam Tor. I found the steep rocky Back Tor to be very challenging as I have balance issues but so pleased I did. Would agree the path back to Castleton was unclear but we asked a local.

Gabi Howard
Gabi Howard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 17/04/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Amazing

Sarita J
Sarita J

So pleased you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share photos if you have any

Regm
Regm

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 26/09/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk for a half day. Lots of sheep in the fields so dogs need to be on a lead or under close control. Quite breezy on the top but fabulous views.

Imelda
Imelda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 20/06/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent walk, thanks xxx

Sarita J
Sarita J

Thank you for your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how we can make the walk description clearer for point 4, please let us know!

christoph.burtscher
christoph.burtscher

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 01/06/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

great description but at the end (point 4) not very clear to find the right path.

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