Derbyshire Walks

Castleton Walk & Route Map

Castleton walk, Derbyshire
Castleton · Photo: Andrew Hackney

Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Castleton is the perfect starting point for a variety of scenic adventures, from gentle village wanders to more exhilarating climbs with breathtaking views.

These routes showcase some of Derbyshire’s finest landscapes, including the dramatic entrance to Peak Cavern, the peaceful paths of Hope Valley, the hidden beauty of Cave Dale, and the iconic ridges around Mam Tor, Back Tor and Lose Hill.

Whether you’re here for a short, easy-going stroll or a full day of rewarding hillwalking, you’ll find well-marked trails, stunning limestone scenery, and plenty of cosy cafés and pubs waiting for you back in the village – a lovely way to round off your Castleton walk.

Download the Derbyshire Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.

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Castleton walk 01

In and around Castleton

Walk distance
2¾ miles
Time
2 hours
Route type
Circular

This short circular walk gives some lovely Peak District Scenery to enjoy. You will go past the very interesting Peak Cavern, the largest natural cave entrance in the UK. You can tour the cave if you wish to see unusual rock formations, and listen to the eerie sound of the running waters.

The route will give you quite a steep climb from there then take you along the Limestone Way and around the ruins of Peveril Castle. If you decide to visit the castle, the steep climb up to it will reward you with an amazing view over Hope Valley.

There are plenty of places to visit for refreshment in the village.

In and around Castleton 4.5 Ratings and reviews 2 ratings

Based on 2 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.5

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly1.5 / 5
Path condition3.0 / 5
Buggy friendly1.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly2.0 / 5
Toilet facilities2.0 / 5
Pub or café2.0 / 5
Route accuracy5.0 / 5
ClimbingPlenty of climbing
LivestockSome livestock
StilesA stile or two
Mud levelBoots recommended

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

Castleton walk 02

A calmer walk around Castleton

Walk distance
4¼ miles
Time
2 hours
Route type
Circular

Compared to the other walks from Castleton this circular walk from Castleton to the village of Hope is quite easy going. Lovely scenery to admire, two enchanting villages with a variety of cafes, pubs and shops to visit. The walk finishes with a peaceful riverside walk.

There is a section of quiet lane walking on this route as you come out of Castleton, so please be careful at this point.

A calmer walk around Castleton 4.6 Ratings and reviews 17 ratings · 10 reviews

Based on 17 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.6

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly3.1 / 5
Path condition4.2 / 5
Buggy friendly1.6 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.2 / 5
Toilet facilities2.1 / 5
Pub or café3.1 / 5
Route accuracy4.8 / 5
ClimbingGentle slopes
LivestockLivestock likely
StilesSeveral stiles
Mud levelMay be muddy after wet weather

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

My final walk with Derbyshire Walks as the app has given me the confidence to create my own routes. A beauty to finish on. Views amazing, two gorgeous villages at each end of a circular walk. Perfect day.

Walker review

Really lovely walk, the directions were perfect and the app kept us on track. There were a few stiles as we got nearer to Castleton but fairly managable even with our 16 year old dog. Very impressed with the app x

Walker review

A very nice bimble through the countryside.

Walker review

Very pleasant, easy walk. All level with nice views all the way. Lovely riverside section towards the end. The only issue was the stiles which required climbing over- not ideal for people with poor mobility but moreso for larger, less agile dogs. Our dog struggled with a couple of them. Not sure why there can’t just be normal gates.

Walker review

The walk was the easiest of all the 5 walks. We went in October, so it was a little muddy in places. The scenery was beautiful. The walk itself was very easy no hills to climb and quite flat.

Walker review

Really lovely walk, very gentle and easy. Footpaths arent always super obvious so does give the impression of adventuring at times, but everything is generally easy to follow. This is not accessible for people who are in wheelchairs or might have mobility issues. Similarly I would not recommned this to people with big dogs due to the sheer amount of stiles (saying as a former big dog owner).

Walker review

Part of the route is unavcessible as it is a field of horses, the extention was about 3/4 mile but a climb. Overall though, a great walk.

Walker review

Some of the styles were quite difficult, there were lots of styles snd gates. A lot of dog on lead time because of livestock in fields, steep hidden drop on a narrow path and road/lane walking.

Walker review

Well mapped out and lovely Sunday Stroll.

Walker review

Loved it!

Castleton walk 03

South of Castleton

Walk distance
4¾ miles
Time
3 hours
Route type
Circular

Whilst this walk is not too long there is some hill walking which will reward with fine views.

From Castleton, travelling south you will travel through some typical limestone scenery, providing wonderful views across the valley to the Great Ridge. You walk through the secret valley of Cave Dale and you will also travel through the dramatic Winnats Pass.

The first 2 kms of the walk is beside a road but there is a footpath all the way. Castleton has many cafes, pubs and shops to visit.

South of Castleton 5.0 Ratings and reviews 1 rating

Based on 1 user rating

Community feedback

Overall rating5.0

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly5.0 / 5
Path condition4.0 / 5
Buggy friendly1.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.0 / 5
Toilet facilities2.0 / 5
Pub or café2.0 / 5
Route accuracy5.0 / 5
ClimbingPlenty of climbing
LivestockLivestock likely
StilesA few stiles on route
Mud levelWellies when wet

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

Castleton walk 04

Castleton circular with wonderful views

Walk distance
6 miles
Time
3.5 hours
Route type
Circular

Starting from the quaint village of Castleton, this wonderful walk takes you through rocky terrain and luscious greenery as you walk uphill through the secret valley of Cave Dale. From here you will travel up the track to the summit of the popular Mam Tor.

The walk includes fabulous views of Peveril Castle plus both Dark and White Peak scenery. Generally the route follows well marked footpaths but is quite steep in places.

Castleton has many cafes, pubs and shops to visit and this particular route has a lot of climbing, so please be very careful and make sure you have the appropriate refreshments and clothing for your adventure.

Castleton circular with wonderful views 4.5 Ratings and reviews 2 ratings · 1 review

Based on 2 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.5

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly4.0 / 5
Path condition4.0 / 5
Buggy friendly1.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.0 / 5
Toilet facilities1.5 / 5
Pub or café1.5 / 5
Route accuracy4.0 / 5
ClimbingPlenty of climbing
LivestockLivestock likely
StilesA few stiles on route
Mud levelMostly dry

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

Part of the route down from mam tor was closed but we managed to make our own diversion ......Lots of sheep and cows but we took a dog and was fine with her on lead ......Some very steep bits......Covered lots of sights and interest points so a really good walk ......Some very narrow gates towards the end of the route

Castleton walk 05

Epic Castleton Adventure!

Walk distance
8½ miles
Time
5 hours
Route type
Circular

This is an epic and exhilarating walk starting in Castleton and walking through some of the best loved parts of the Peak District, believed by many to be one of the best ridge walks in the country.

If you have the will and the energy - you will be rewarded with stunning views over Edale, Hope Valley and the edge of Kinder Scout.

There is quite a lot of uphill walking up to Mam Tor, then up to the top of Back Tor and onto Lose Hill Pike - all with stunning views for you to enjoy. From there you'll venture onto the village of Hope (where you can stop for a well deserved break).

Finally, a peaceful riverside walk back to Castleton to reward yourself with tea and cakes or some traditional pub food (try the Cheshire Cheese Inn!).

As with all advanced walks, please ensure you have the appropriate energy, clothing and refreshments for your journey. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you set off and only use the app when you really need to for navigation to conserve your battery.

Epic Castleton Adventure! 4.6 Ratings and reviews 7 ratings · 1 review

Based on 7 user ratings

Community feedback

Overall rating4.6

An outstanding walk

Dog friendly4.0 / 5
Path condition3.9 / 5
Buggy friendly1.6 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.0 / 5
Toilet facilities1.7 / 5
Pub or café1.9 / 5
Route accuracy4.7 / 5
ClimbingPlenty of climbing
LivestockSome livestock
StilesA few stiles on route
Mud levelMostly dry

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

Fantastic walk with breathtaking views.

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Derbyshire Walks App

Follow the Castleton walks with GPS guidance

It's like sat-nav, but for footpaths.

Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.

The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.

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Expanded route map for In and around Castleton, a 2.75 mile circular walk in Derbyshire