Climbing Mam Tor
Mam Tor, literally meaning ‘Mother Hill’, is an iconic peak just outside the pretty Peak District village of Castleton in Derbyshire. The views from the top are well worth the walk – taking in the whole of the Hope Valley on one side and the whole of the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors on the other.Â
At 517 m high Mam Tor towers over the surrounding area, but it’s actually a relatively easy hill to climb, especially from the National Trust car park at Mam Nick (S33 8WA). There’s a well-paved path from the car park to the trig point at the summit.
Mam Tor is not just about the pretty views though, it’s a fascinating place of ancient civilisation, with evidence of occupation from around 1200 BC. The summit is surrounded by two well-preserved ancient hill forts, one dating from the late Bronze Age and the other from the early Iron Age. This makes Mam Tor the site of one of the earliest hill forts in Britain and it’s also one of the largest, covering an area of around 16 acres.
How do I get to Mam Tor?
Mam Tor rises above the village of Castleton in Derbyshire, which lies on the A6187. From Castleton, drive out of the village through Winnats Pass and turn right at the top of the gorge. Mam Tor lies straight ahead of you. The car park at Mam Nick (postcode S33 8WA) is on your right hand side after approx. half a mile.
