A Hiking Guide for Walking Mam Tor and Kinder Scout
5 Minute Read
In this travel guide I’m going to give you information on how to walk to the top of Mam Tor then circle around to Kinder Scout in one fantastic hiking loop. This walk is located in the Peak District, UK. It is suitable for all ages but requires a relatively good level of fitness. Many parts of the trail, particularly near Mam Tor, are good for mountain biking.
In this Mam Tor and Kinder Scout walking guide I will discuss:
- What is it?
- Where Does it Start and Finish?
- How Long Does it Take?
- What is There to See?
- How to Get There?
See also:
The Roaches and Lud’s Church Circular Walk
Day Hiking Gear Essentials
Multi-day Hike Kit List
1. What is it?
Mam Tor and Kinder Scout are two summits situated in the heart of the Peak District, near the Hope Valley. The National Park is in Derbyshire, close to the cities of Manchester and Sheffield in the north of England.
The walk is a 17km ridge hike that follows a well marked and signposted trail from Edale to Mam Tor then loops round to Kinder Scout before dropping down into Edale again. The route takes in the highlights of the area with extraordinary views across the National Park and even out to Manchester and other settlements in the distance when the weather’s fair.
You can walk the trail either clockwise or anticlockwise. In both directions the views are fantastic but I walked clockwise to get the steep bit done at the start as I personally find it’s easier on my legs that way.
2. Where Does it Start and Finish?
There are a few options in this scenario. If you just want to do a quick walk up Mam Tor, there is a carpark half way up the hill with a short sharp path leading to the summit (see below).
I think this is a bit of a cop out. You came to the Peak District for some hill walking right? You should start your hike in the village of Edale. This will allow you to start and finish your Mam Tor and Kinder Scout walk in the same location. This way you get the most out of your stay!
Edale is a very small village without many accommodation choices so I would recommended staying in Castleton or Hope, which are both very beautiful villages with lots of options for campsites, BnBs, and Hotels.
These towns are then a short drive to Edale where you can park your car for the day to start your walk! That way you get the benefit of the extra pubs and cafes in the other villages whilst also getting the best of your hike.
3. How Long Does it Take?
This depends on a number of factors, but if you are hiking the 17km route in a day, aim for around 5 hours with regular breaks to admire the views and for snacks.
I chose to wild camp overnight on Kinder Scout and so split the hike into two days. I also added in some short side walks to explore other areas of the park and ended up hiking around 20km in about 5 and half hours including short rest breaks.
See Also:
How to Wild Camp in the UK
Wild Camping Kit List
The speed you hike will also depend on your fitness and the weight you are carrying. In general there’s no need to rush, so I’d take your time and enjoy it. The benefit of walking the route in a day is you can carry a light pack and walk more comfortably.
See also:
10 Beginner’s Hiking Tips
10 Hiking Safety Tips
If you want to hike Mam Tor and Kinder Scout with an overnight stay, it’s going to be a lot of added weight but you benefit from having the area to yourself at night and get the opportunity to marvel at the stunning sunset – and maybe sunrise if you’re an early riser!
4. What is There to See?
Throughout the hike you will see a whole spectrum of spectacular English countryside. Rolling hills and plunging valleys; rugged moorland and quaint fields; rocky escarpments and stoney ridges. To name a few.
From Edale you will hike across the River Noe and up along old stone walls and fields filled with grazing cows and sheep. Once you are up on the ridge leading to Mam Tor you can see hills and towns stretching far into the distance. There are a number of old mines and caverns you might be able to spot as well as some of the small villages nestled between the peaks.
After passing Mam Tor you will also summit Brown Knoll and Kinder Low. From this point you can see Manchester to the west. Then you walk through the wild Kinder Scout peak before dropping down and following a shaded tree line along the valley floor that leads you back to Edale.
If you stay the night, you can make out the glow of Sheffield on the horizon to the east.
5. How to Get There?
Edale is conveniently located between Manchester and Sheffield with direct trains lasting between 30-45 minutes. That’s very handy as you can start the Mam Tor and Kinder Scout circular walk right from the train station.
If you are driving, as many people tend to if they’re coming from other places in the country, then you need to find a parking spot. This is a slightly more difficult affair. There is one main car park in the centre of Edale near the village hall, but it’s very small. It was already full when I got there at 11am on a Thursday.
Most of the lay-bys leading in and out of the village will either be full or you won’t be allowed to park in them. There are some more spaces in the Edale train station car park but only for a dozen or so cars. I was lucky as there was a temporary overflow car park which I went in, but I gather this isn’t available all year round, and couldn’t find any more information on this.
A nice alternative would be to book a place at one of the campsites and include a parking space with your overnight stay. Otherwise I recommend arriving early in the day to ensure you get a space!
Before You Go
Thanks for reading my travel guide on the Mam Tor and Kinder Scout circular walk. If travel guides like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more!
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