Castleton
27 April 2025
This ramble is a beautiful circular walk from Castleton via Peak Forest, Sparrowpit, Rushup Edge and Treak Cliff. The distance is around 12 miles.
We begin at the ancient village of Castleton, famous for its unique Blue John stone and the imposing Peveril Castle. Toilets are available here. We climb slowly out of the village and along the Limestone Way. On reaching Old Moor, we branch away towards Oxlow Rake. Eventually, we reach Old Dam, on the edge of the village of Peak Forest.
Proceeding north west along the Pennine Bridleway, we traverse part of the very pretty Perry Dale. Eventually, we turn west along a wooded footpath to the tiny hamlet of Sparrowpit. Incidentally, the name has nothing to do with sparrows. It is derived from ‘Spar Row Pit’, the name of an old local fluorspar mine.
Beyond Sparrowpit, we cross open ground via Rushup Farm to Rushop Hall. We rejoin the Pennine Bridleway for a short distance before turning right along a path towards Rushup Edge.
Rushup Edge is famous for its stunning views of Edale, to the north. We pass the highest point along the Edge at Lord’s Seat, 550 metres above sea level. This is the highest point along the southern edge of Edale, higher even than Mam Tor. There is a round barrow here. Eventually, we see the formidable Mam Tor ahead of us – and the beginning of the Great Ridge leading to Lose Hill.
At the end of Rushup Edge, we turn south towards Windy Knoll and on to Winnats Head Farm. We then skirt Winnats Head via Treak Cliff to Speedwell Cavern. It is then just a short walk under Cow Low to return to Castleton. Lots of drinking establishments here to choose from – not to mention ice cream shops.
The coach will be waiting for us in the main car park at Castleton. We shall leave Castleton for the journey home at 6pm.
We are keen to welcome new walkers. There is no need to book, just go to your nearest Coach departure point listed below. The coach fare is £14 payable on the return journey.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points.
(With the agreement of the leader other pick-up points
on the bus route may be available).
| “Staff of Life” pub, Hack Lane | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.15am |
| Priestic Road, opp McDonald’s | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.20am |
| Eastfield Side, (Blue Bell) | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.22am |
| Hermitage Lane stop, Sutton Road | Mansfield | 9.25am |
| ASDA bus stop. Stockwell Gate. | Mansfield | 9.30am |
