A Walking Guide to Mam Tor

Has Mam Tor been all over your feeds lately?

A combination of new years resolutions, cloud inversions and viral posts have made Mam Tor a 2025 hot-spot.

Praised for its panoramic views, Mam Tor is one of the best hikes to do in the Peak District if you're a beginner. So get your walking boots at the ready - here's your essential guide to Mam Tor.

Mam Tor is in the Peak District, right by Castleton & Edale.

The name Mam Tor means 'Mother Hill', however it's known locally as the 'Shivering Mountain' due to frequent landslides. In fact, a portion of the Mam Tor circular walk includes a trip along the abandoned A625, which was partially destroyed by a landslide, deemed unsafe and was closed.

View Mam Tor on Google Maps

There's a few different places to park when walking Mam Tor, however I'd encourage you to take public transport if you intend on going at the weekend. It's pretty easy to get to via train, as there are train stations at Edale & Hope.

You could even follow this alternate route which takes you from Edale to Mam Tor as a circular walk.

If you are intent on driving, just be wary that car parks closer to Mam Tor really do get overcrowded. The closest is Mam Nick Car Park which is operated by the National Trust and requires payment.

Alternatives are available in Edale or Castleton however this will add an extra mile to the walk.

If you're arriving after 9am, it's very likely that the car parks will be starting to fill up. From that point on, you may even start to see cars park on the double yellow lines - don't be tempted to follow their lead because this is monitored and you'll end up getting a ticket.

Mam Tor is around 517m above sea level at the summit. On a clear day you'll see panoramic hills of the Peak District, but if you fancy a real treat, try to plan your visit when there's an active cloud inversion for some spectacular views of being above the clouds.

All-in-all, an enjoyable circular walk around Mam Tor can be done in an hour and a half, however the journey up to the top is actually shorter than you'd expect. It's a short but steep trek up there.

The main thing that will slow you down is if it's busy, so avoid visiting at the weekend if this is an issue for you.

There's plenty of different routes available in the area depending on your fitness levels and hiking experience. If you like a challenge, you could take on both Kinder Scout (the highest point in the Peak District) & Mam Tor as a circular walk.

View Kinder Scout & Mam Tor Circular

If you're aiming to park close to Mam Tor in order to do the shortest route, then you're okay to pack lightly. Longer routes are more challenging in the peaks, so a rucksack with some water, snacks and a first aid kit is a must.

Regardless of your route, you'll definitely want some walking boots when walking Mam Tor. As we mentioned earlier, it's short but steep, so the right footwear is important for good grip and support. It can also get pretty boggy in certain parts, so you don't want to ruin your favourite trainers.

Clothing is of course weather dependent, but you won't go amiss with a fleece layer, walking trousers and a waterproof jacket either worn or packed in your bag.

There are plenty of things to do nearby on your trip to Mam Tor. If you're parking either higher up the peak or down by Castleton, you'll be closer to the nearby Blue John Cavern, which has a rich mining history of the Blue John stone. They offer tours of the cavern and have an on-site gift shop for a memento of your trip.

You could even hike Kinder Scout, or explore the nearby towns of Edale (home to one of the UK's most famous walks - the Pennine Way) and Castleton.

If you'd prefer to explore the Peak District area in general, you should check out our guide on things to do in the Peak District for some inspiration!