This ridge walk is a very popular excursion mainly because of the excellent views.
Calculated time: 5h15[?] 
Distance : 13.76km
Vertical gain : 463m
Vertical drop : 471m
Highest point : 547m
Lowest point : 219m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Edale
Starting point : N 53.36408° / W 1.81532° (D/A)Leave Edale car park (Grid ref. SK124853) and turn right onto the main road and follow it to reach a junction at a bridge in Barber Booth. Go over the bridge and then turn right and you should soon see a stile on the left. This path leads up through the fields to join the Chapel Gate track becoming quite faint at times. Go right with Chapel Gate and rise up the hillside to reach the moor. The track turns south, leading you to a National Trust signpost.
(1)Turn left and follow the new path by the wall (which should be on your right), climbing steadily to the walk's summit at Lord's Seat which is marked by a tumulus. Absorb the glorious view then go over the stile and continue along the sloping ridge to Mam Nick. Walk right along the road to see a gate and path leading up Mam Tor on the left.
(2)Take this path to ascend up to the OS trig point on Mam Tor. The view from Mam Tor ranks as one of the best in the Peak District but it is often crowded so it is best to press on to Hollins Cross. On blustery days Mam Tor is likely to have scarily strong winds blowing over it's summit so taking the path around it's northern side from Mam Nick is advised.
(3)From Hollins Cross rise up over Barker Bank to the foot of Back Tor. Go over the stile on the left then ascend Back Tor, a charming little hill. Continue on the path, dipping then rising to the topograph on Lose Hill. Lose Hill is a wonderful summit and there is a small ditch on the eastern side which provides shelter and makes for a perfect snack stop.
(4)Backtrack from Lose Hill to the foot of Back Tor then take a path on the right which descends to Backtor Farm past Backtor Nook. It then becomes a track, crossing the River Noe at Backtor Bridge to join the road. From here simply turn left and walk for 1 mile along the road back to the car park.
Editor's Note - the route map shows alternative paths that can be used to avoid the road walking. At busy times this may be preferable.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 239m - Edale car park - turn right onto main road
1 : km 3.78 - alt. 487m - Turn left and follow path to Lord's Seat
2 : km 6.61 - alt. 459m - Take lefthand path up to Mam Tor
3 : km 8.21 - alt. 378m - Hollins Cross: rise up over Barker Bank
4 : km 10.15 - alt. 461m - Lose Hill
D/A : km 13.76 - alt. 240m - Edale car park
The Great Ridge sits on the Dark Peak - White Peak border and makes for a superb half day walk. This walk climbs up from Edale then embraces the full 4 mile long ridge before descending again. As would be expected from such a walk the views are stunning throughout.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.43/5
Number of opinions : 7
Description quality : 4.14/5
Routemap quality : 4.29/5
Walk interest : 4.86/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 16/05/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Hi, I am scared of heights, especially paths where there is a visible drop one the side(s). Would this walk be unsuitable? Thank you!
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 11/11/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk, it is popular so dont expect the hills to yourself ... although the first hill can see a little less traffic
Thank you for your feedback, we have made your suggested changes to the walk description for future walkers 
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 28/08/18
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
We did this walk on a day of mixed weather - the first half was dull with the odd light shower sweeping in then by Mam Tor there were some good sunny spells and the whole experience was greatly improved. The instructions are mostly fine but at Barber Booth the instruction is less than clear - you go over the bridge THEN right (not really 'right over the bridge' which is very ambiguous). After that the instructions were hardly necessary - just follow the path and the map. It is a slog up to the top of the ridge then along the other side the view was a little dull till you reach the tumulus and from then on the views are extensive and impressive. From Mam Tor the path is well paved. We did not make it to Lose Hill but cut down from Hollins Cross back to Edale - the path there at first is a little more tricky than at any other stage but only for a short distance. In places the path could be rather muddy but nothing to serious.This circuit took about 4 hours with no stops.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 08/07/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A lovely walk and fantastic views all round.
This is a walk I would want to do again!
Glad you enjoyed the walk! Please feel welcome to post photos if you have any
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 09/07/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Lovely walk, fantastic scenery.
I would do this walk again.
Thanks for your feedback. If you have any suggestions of how we can improve the walk description or particular landmarks worth mentioning, please let us know!
Global average : 3.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 07/06/18
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Good
It's a great route.
The walk description lacks landmarks (easily rectified IMO) so it's easy to go wrong getting on to the ridge at the beginning & when dropping down off the ridge.
We went wrong at either end, but still had a fabulous walk, so thank you for the free ideas 
)
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/06/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Stunning views from the ridge, really enjoyed the main section of the walk. It got busy from Mam Tor to Low Edge. The disppointing element was how much walking on the road was included. From Edale to Barber Booth at the beginning and from Backtor Bridge back to Edale at the final section. Such a shame these sections weren't mapped on footpaths. Overall a very rewarding and enjoyable walk.
15.52km
+513m
-514m
5h55
Difficult
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+524m
-524m
5h45
Average
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12.07km
+434m
-428m
4h40
Average
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12.58km
+458m
-459m
4h55
Average
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10.56km
+404m
-404m
4h10
Average
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11.9km
+388m
-387m
4h30
Average
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14.4km
+317m
-312m
5h00
Average
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9.11km
+295m
-289m
3h25
Easy
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