Bamford to Edale via Win Hill and Great Ridge walk

This strenuous walk cuts through the boundary land between the Dark and White Peak areas of the Peak District National Park. A steep ascent up to Win Hill opens tremendous views to the surrounding Upper Derwent Valley reservoirs, the Vales of Edale and Hope and the exposed and isolated tracts of rugged moorlands, covered by cotton grass bogs and heather, and dramatically sculpted gritstone escarpments (or ‘edges’) of the Peak District’s iconic Dark Peak area.
From there you follow a heathery ridge running northwest to steeply descend and re-ascend to Lose Hill, the easterly end of The Great Ridge, which separates the vales of Edale and Hope. It extends for approximately 3 kilometres to Mam Tor at the western end and is very popular (in benign conditions). Mam Tor, once the home of Iron Age people, is on the southern edge of the Dark Peak (sandstones) and overlooks the White Peak (limestones), including the notable deep cut dry gorge of Winnats Pass.

Despite a lunch pub just off route, this walk lends itself to a picnic lunch on one of the tops or on the ridge. Diversions to lunch or a finish in Hope and Castleton are described, as are an alternative start from Hope Station and shortcuts from the Great Ridge to Edale, as well as an extension across Brown Knoll’s upland peat bog and down from the head of the Vale of Edale via Jacob’s Ladder (path).

An Alternative Start from Hope Station cuts 4.9 km/3.0 mi and 263m ascent and is rated 6/10.

Diversions down from the Great Ridge to Hope and Castleton villages for lunch or an early finish:

• To Hope as an out-and-back (adds 3.0 km/1.8 mi and 40m ascent);
• To Castleton from Back Tor and back up to Hollins Cross (cuts the least interesting stretch of the Great Ridge, buts adds 4.4 km/2.7 mi and 205m ascent);
• To Castleton from Back Tor and through the dramatic Winnats Pass to the end of the Great Ridge at Mam Nick, the pass between Mam Tor and Rushup Edge (adds 3.0 km/1.8 mi and 100m ascent).

A couple of Shortcuts lead down from the Great Ridge to Edale:

• From Hollins Cross, the lowest point on the Great Ridge just before the ascent to Mam Tor (cuts 6.7 km/4.1 mi and 350m ascent, rated 5/10);
• From the end of the Great Ridge at Mam Nick, the pass between Mam Tor and Rushup Edge (cuts 4.5 km/2.8 mi and 200m ascent, rated 7/10).

An Extension across Brown Knoll’s upland peat bog and down from the head of the Vale of Edale via Jacob’s Ladder adds 5.4 km/3.4 mi and 172m ascent.

Bamford Station is on the Hope Valley Line from Manchester to Sheffield, with a journey time of 24 mins from Sheffield. Edale Station is a few stops and 12 minutes journey time further west in the direction of Manchester. Sheffield Station is the terminus of the Midland Main Line from London St. Pancras, with up to two trains per hour (journey time from 121 mins Mon-Sat, longer on Sundays).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

The Cheshire Cheese Inn Edale Rd, Hope, Derbyshire, S33 6ZF (01433 620 381). The Cheshire Cheese is located 500m off route, after 8.4 km (5.2 mi) of walking. Open 12.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 Tue-Fri, 12.00-23.30 Sat and 12.00-18.00 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00 Tue-Fri, 12.00-21.00 Sat and 12.00-16.30 Sun.

In Hope
Watson’s Farm Shop, Café Adventure, Grasshopper Café, The Woodroffe Arms, Old Hall (Pub) Hotel, Old Hall Tearooms.

In Castleton
The Rambler’s Rest, The Causeway, The Peak Hotel, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Ye Olde Nag’s Head, Tilley’s of Castleton, 1530 The Restaurant, The Castle Inn, The Bull’s Head, For Heavens Bakes, The George Inn, Peak District Visitor Centre café.

The Penny Pot Café Station Approach, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZA (01433 670 293). Open Nov-Dec 10.00-16.00 Sat-Sun, 15 March-31 Oct 10.00-16.30 Wed-Sun (but 7 days and from 08.30 in Jul/Aug). Food served to 15.00.

The Rambler Inn Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZA (01433 670 268). Open all day. Food served 12.00-21.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-20.00 Sun.

The Old Nag’s Head Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZD (01433 670 291). Open 12.00-23.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-22.30 Sun. Food served 12.00-21.00 Mon-Sat, 12.00-20.00 Sun. Situated at the start of the Pennine Way, it dates back to 1577. Overlooked to the North by Kinder Scout, made famous by the Mass Trespass of 1932, and residing in one of the World’s most visited national parks, The Old Nag’s Head is listed as one of the 100 greatest pubs of England.
[Note: both pubs are owned by the same company and in quieter periods they may co-ordinate in closing one of them at a time.]

Cooper’s Café/Cooper’s Chippy Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZD (01433 670 401). Café open 09.00-16.00 Mon-Fri & 08.30-17.00 Sat-Sun (summer). Chippy open 16.00-20.00 Thu-Sat.