Winnats Pass Walk and Route Map

A short, compact circuit around Winnats Pass, with a good deal packed in for its length. It starts beside Speedwell Cavern and soon drops towards Castleton, passing close to Peveril Castle on the edge of the village.

The return is then the main event. You tackle the climb steadily past the Winnats Head cave entrance and then take in Winnats Pass itself, the walk's star attraction. Near the end you pass Suicide Cave (aka Horseshoe Cave) before finishing with a walk back down through the pass on a footpath beside the road.

The climbs are moderate but fairly sustained, so allow time to stop and look around on this adventure.

This slightly longer circuit keeps the same start and the same highlights as the first route, but then adds a stretch of the show cave country above Winnats Pass.

You begin by Speedwell Cavern and head down towards Castleton, passing Peveril Castle as you go. After a steady climb you reach Winnats Head and then follow the ridge above Winnats Pass, the walk's highlight.

The way back then passes Blue John Cavern, with a Cafe just off the route, then Little Mam Tor and Treak Cliff Cavern, before a last stretch to the information board at the start.

The climbs are steep and the route is well suited to a relaxed but energetic morning or afternoon.

The longest of the routes adds a spectaular world famous high ridge section to the Winnats Pass circuit enjoyed in route 2.

It begins beside Speedwell Cavern and passes close to Castleton, with Peveril Castle along the way, before climbing to Winnats Head and Winnats Pass.

From there you keep climbing until you reach the peak of Mam Tor and its hillfort, the high point of the walk, then continue along the ridge to Hollins Cross, where the Tom Hyett memorial stands.

The descent passes the Broken road viewpoint and follows Old Mam Tor Road, then reaches Blue John Cafe, Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern before the finish.

Expect several sustained and strenuous climbs and some exposed high ground, so go prepared for changeable weather.