🗺️ The route
Free to viewStarting in the popular village of Castleton, before heading up onto the quieter side and leaving the tourist crowds behind. If you’re looking for a walk that takes you away from the popular spots but still has great choices for a post walk pub lunch or celebratory drink then this Castleton, Cave Dale & Rushup Edge circular is the one for you.
What to expect
Expect far reaching views and solitude on this quiet Peak District walk, once you head out of Cave Dale, it’ll be a surprise if you see anyone other than a local farmer for the next couple of miles. Perfect, if like us you’re always looking to escape the crowds.
The footpaths on this walk are also very good, being stone or tarmac much of the way around. Other than Castleton where you start and end, there’s no refreshments on this route, so make sure you come prepared with everything you need.
Getting there & parking
Parking – Cross Street car park – S33 8WH. This is the main pay and display car park, although there are several in the village of Castleton as well as some FREE on street parking, but be sure to check signage as its not all obvious.
Good to know
Yes, at the start of the walk.
On lead only.
Expect rocky paths, grassy fields & tarmac tracks underfoot. What we wear for it ↓
The route
- 10.9 Miles
- 4-5 Hours
- Moderate
Starting in the popular village of Castleton, this route takes you up into Cave Dale, before getting to the tops with far reaching views across the neighbouring countryside and back down the other side into Peak Forest and later onto Perry Dale. Although the start of this walk through Cave Dale can be a little wet and lose underfoot, not long after you’ll pick up a nice tarmac road which will take you all the way up onto the other side. Although you’re walking on a country road through Peak Forest, its very quiet and you’re unlikely to see a lot of traffic at all. Once you cross the main road and get onto Rushup Edge, you follow this all the way towards Mam Tor but just taking the lower path to join the ‘Broken Road’. You’ll follow this all the way back into Castleton.
Step-by-step
- From Castleton head towards Cave Dale.
- Follow this rocky section uphill before continuing on through fields
- You will cross the Limestone Way, continue across here.
- You will pick up a track, which will be tree lined before reaching a farm.
- Head down the farm lane and turn right towards Peak Forest.
- Follow this tarmac lane through Perry Dale until reaching the main road, cross straight over here.
- Continue on this, up this hill and towards another main road.
- Turn right onto this, which will turn into Rushup Edge.
- Follow it to the end, cross the road and head towards the 'Broken Road'
- Follow this back into Castleton.
Your walk
Heading out? Take this walk with you
Free members get the tools to follow it on the day, so you're not relying on phone signal.
- GPX downloadFor your phone, watch or Komoot.
- Printable route cardOne page with the route, pit stops and an emergency line.
- Track it & get the stampTick it off and add the miles to your log.
Tips & what to bring
Bring everything you need to last you on an 11 mile walk, as there’s nowhere to top up on route. Water, food, snacks, waterproofs and layers? Even if you plan on stopping in one of the local pubs for food afterwards, snacks are always a good idea and can be the difference between enjoying a walk and not.
What we'd pack for this walk
See how we wear it →Kit we actually use, picked for this route.
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Grip on rock We both wearLa Sportiva TX4
Grippy, supportive approach shoe we wear on rockier Peak trails.
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Always in the pack Ads wearsRevolutionRace Waterproof Jacket
Bright, fully waterproof shell for proper British weather. Ads' go-to in the orange.
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Room for a full day's food Char usesOsprey Skarab 30L
A comfortable day pack with a hydration sleeve for full days out.
