Whether you start in Edale, Hope Valley or Castleton, it provides walkers at every ability with beautiful scenery and an enduring hike.
We started at Hope Valley train station, taking a walking route to Castleton. We set off from the station on our 5-mile walk, using an adapted map from the AA. With a view of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout in the distance, we took the walk uphill through various fields over various gradients to reach Castleton.
The weather hadn’t been kind the previous day, therefore the waterproof footwear was essential. A dog-friendly route and fairly family friendly, this walk isn’t too strenuous for those fit and able to hike. Great for a group of friends looking to get away from the city for a day.
After our muddy trek, we approached the town of Castleton, home of the peak caverns and castle which I had visited on a previous trip to the quaint village. It was bustling with people all having a similar idea and making the most of the weather, but we still managed to get a traditional Sunday roast dinner at the Ye Olde Nags Head pub and a walk around to take in the many shops and cafes.
After lunch, we looped around Castleton towards Losehill (without the steep climb to reach it) then head back towards the station to complete our route. We were pleased to find the Grasshopper Café for a hot chocolate, who also do supper clubs in the evenings, and we fully appreciated their selection of cakes after a gruelling walk.
I’d certainly recommend Hope to Castleton if you’re looking for a short walk during the day and on mid-decent walking conditions. Next stop Mam Tor and Kinder Scout!
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MAD Walkers are a hiking group for 20s and 30s for people who live in and around the Greater Manchester area. With over 400 members, they offer a variety of group walks to suit you and many other like-minded people.
Head to their website to find an upcoming walk…
