SEP 2020 – 4.5 Miles – MAM TOR (PEAK DISTRICT)

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Total Distance: 4.5 Miles
Highest Point: 1648 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~3 Hours

Mam Tor is 1,696 ft hill near Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England. Its name means “mother hill”, so called because frequent landslips on its eastern face have resulted in a multitude of “mini-hills” beneath it. These landslips, which are caused by unstable lower layers of shale, also give the hill its alternative name of Shivering Mountain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mam_Tor

Meeting point at Edale car park on Edale Road just before The Penny Pot cafe. Car park has toilets and up to 10 hours parking for £6, other options also available if you are staying shorter or longer.

Please note: if you are meeting up, there is no signal on some networks in that area. We eventually found each other at The Penny Pot Cafe.

Car Park near Penny Pot Cafe
Car Park on Edale Road near The Penny Pot Cafe

The route we took started in Edale heading to Mam Tor via Harden Clough, from there we headed to Hollins Cross and then back into Edale.

Walks around britain: Mam Tor
Walks around britain: Mam Tor
Trail leading up towards Mam Tor
Trail leading up towards Mam Tor
Lovely view looking back to Edale
Lovely view looking back to Edale
View as we joined the stone steps to Mam Tor
View as we joined the stone steps to Mam Tor
Stone steps which leads to Mam Tor to the right
Stone steps which leads to Mam Tor to the right

The views just before you head up to Mam Tor of Castleton and surrounding areas were just stunning, especially on this clear day.

It was a gradual up hill climb towards Mam Tor on a clear path, the steady ascent takes you up to the highest point 1648 feet at Mam Tor trig point.

At the top of Mam Tor
At the top of Mam Tor

At the top of Mam Tor it was quite misty to start off with and you can see the mist clear in front of you and see the views afar, it was also rather windy up there.

Views at the top of Mam Tor as the mist slowly clears
Views at the top of Mam Tor as the mist slowly clears

We headed towards Hollins Cross from Mam Tor back towards Edale.

Path towards Hollins Cross
Path towards Hollins Cross

On the way back down towards Edale from Hollins Cross we came across these beautiful calm cows munching away.

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We finished the day with a homemade cake and coffee at The Penny Pot cafe, very much recommended.  They had lovely seating area outside at the back of the shop, a little bird spotting area.

The Penny Pot Cafe
The Penny Pot Cafe

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Well deserved coffee and cake :)
Well deserved coffee and cake 🙂

We were very lucky with the weather, started off misty whilst travelling to Edale then it turned out to be a gorgeous clear warm day.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • Apple iPhone XS (for use of OS apps for lazy mapping and photos/videos)
  • OS Maps app (premium version – I use for following the route)
  • Comfy walking shoes (most important)
  • Extra socks (keep the feet happy when needed)
  • Waterproof Jacket (always a must, the weather changes alot in the hills/mountains)
  • Long sleeve and/or short sleeve (for layering)
  • Neck scarf (extra warmth and protection if needed)
  • Woolly hat (keep your head and particularly my ears warm)
  • Gloves (if scrambling is required)
  • 2 litres of water
  • Flask with Hot drink (a good cuppa is always welcome)
  • ibuprofen (helping hand if you have any aches and pains)
  • Food and snacks (fuel to keep you going)

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