Sorry, don’t mean to sound like your mum haha! Winnats Pass views towards Castleton There are a few places you can walk closer to the edge of the top if you choose to do this please be careful near the edge. Once you reach the top of Winnats Pass, there is a trail that leads close to the boundary wall and takes you all the way across the top of the pass. From here follow the boundary wall all the way around until you reach the top of Winnats Pass. Please double-check before you use it, in case it has moved!Ĭontinue following the gully all the way to the top, until you reach the grassy top of Long Cliff. There’s also a really steep section where a rope has been tied to a gate post.Īfter testing the rope it felt secure so we used as an aid to hike up this section. On the day I hiked the route, it was a dry day, yet some of the rocks were still slippy so take it slow. (Other option available – see bottom of post) At this point, you can see a rough trail heading steeply upwards via the gully.

At this point, you’ll be able to see the Great Ridge and Mam Tor on your right and the top of Winnats Pass in front of you.įollow the path around until you reach a second gate. Turn left and up the road until you reach a gate that takes you to a single track path alongside a wall. If you opted to do the detour to the cave, you’ll now turn left and if you didn’t then turn right up past a narrow street of houses. To visit the cave it is a paid attraction in the Peak District, so be sure to plan enough time if you want to visit. Walk alongside the stream, following the sign for the Peak Cavern, you can pop down the path here to see the entrance to the cave, it only adds a few minutes to the walk and it’s pretty cool to see! Turn left here, walk through the car park and on the other side you’ll reach a cute bridge and a few houses. You’ll go past an old garage, then on the left-hand side of the road there’s a car park with a fingerpost sign.

Stage 1 (Castleton Visitor Centre to Winnats Pass)įrom Castleton Visitor Centre, turn right onto the road (A6187) and walk down the pavement for about 200 metres.

I use a Silva 4 Expedition Compass, also recommended by Duke of Edinburgh and Mountain Leader Training. I recommend that you have a map and compass with you and are comfortable using on your walk. If you have any specific questions about the Winnats Pass walk please get in touch with me beforehand, via the comments below and I will happily answer any questions. I will include easier options if you want to do a low-level walk through Winnats Pass, which is equally gorgeous! Secondly, the route I took to the top does involve a very steep part, with a short scramble section, it’s rocky and can be slippy when it’s wet.

This week on a trip to Castleton, staying at YHA Castleton I finally walked up on the top of Winnats Pass and it was epic!īefore I continue with the route description for my Winnats Pass walk I need to point out a few important pieces of information to help you decide if this walk is suitable for you.įirstly, there are no safety barriers at the top of Winnats Pass, it’s a sheer drop in some places so please be extremely careful. The drive through Winnats Pass to Castleton in the Peak District is stunning, I always admire the steep cliffs of the pass as I drive through. Winnats Pass walk is one that I’ve wanted to do for ages and I have no excuse for not doing it sooner.

Mam tor winter