They seemed to be using the crossing of the two vapour trails as a target.Īll that remained now was Losehill, the last summit on the Great Ridge. High above us some para-gliders were riding the thermals. It was quite a stiff climb on a rocky path to reach the summit.Īt the top it was time for a rest and another chance to admire the views. Our next objective was Back Tor with its almost sheer northern face. This marks an old packhorse route and workers used to daily make to walk from Edale to Castleton to work in the mills. We gently lost height to reach Hollins Cross, a junction of paths marked by a stone cairn. Our onward path was along the spine if the hill walking on huge flagstone which came from the old mills in Castleton. We stopped for lunch at the summit 1695 ft (517m) with plenty of time to enjoy the views into the Vale of Edale and the paths up to Kinder Scout, which looked sombre even in the bright sunshine. No-one was shivering today, the weather was glorious with just a gentle breeze to cool you down.Īs expected the summit was crowded, no chance of a decent picture of the summit cairn. Mam Tor is also known as the Shivering Mountain due to the layers of loose soft shale which are constantly crumbling. We now began the steady climb up the stepped path to the summit of Mam Tor, the Mother Hill. We then began a steady climb heading for Blue John Cavern and the road at the base of Mam Tor. We left Castleton and followed a path along the bottom of a hillside towards Speedwell Cavern and on to Treak Cliff Cavern. This walk was voted 10th in Britain’s Favorite Walks last January so we expected to see crowds of people. I was doing the ‘B’ walk and our aim was to climb up Mam Tor and walk along the Great Ridge. So, I have decided to re-blog the post from 2018.

A couple of them have sent me photos from the walk and I am very jealous. Unfortunately I was unable to join my friends from the rambling club on the recent walk to Castleton.

Mam tor and the great ridge walk