🗺️ The route
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Join free to downloadStarting 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
You'll find pay & Display parking at the start of the walk. Postcode for sat nav: S33 8WH.
Yes, at the start of the walk.
On lead only.
Expect rocky paths, grassy fields & tarmac tracks underfoot.
The route
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.
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.
Eat & drink nearby
There are so many pubs, cafes and bakeries to choose from in Castleton. The biggest struggle you’ll have is deciding which one to try this time.
Places to stay nearby
More walks near here
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POIs nearby
Winnats Pass
A spectacular limestone gorge and road 📍 0.9 miles away View on map →
Mam Tor
The Great Ridge or the Shivering Mountain 📍 1.4 miles away View on map →
Hathersage Stepping Stones
Stepping stones across the River Derwent 📍 4.3 miles away View on map →
Robin Hood's Stoop
Robin Hood shot an arrow from here to Little Johns grave 📍 4.5 miles away View on map →
The Salt Cellar
A gritstone rock formation on Derwent Edge 📍 4.7 miles away View on map →