The Great Ridge from Edale

[poppiesrara]

Well. It’s hardly the Aonach Eagach, or even Crib Goch, but that’s what it’s called… honestly! And it’s a terrific and understandably popular walk in the Peak District, with – on a cold, clear day – striking views to the bleaker hills of the area.

Edale Ridge.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

From the walker’s hub of Edale, quiet field paths and then a fairly relentless slog up the Chapel Gate track lead up to Rushup Edge and the start of a four-mile stretch of undulating high ground east to Lose Hill. The first leg is the least interesting, gentle slopes on a very broad moorland ridge to the high-point of Lord’s Seat, from where the ground suddenly falls away to open up the views, and the ridge narrows appreciably – with a nice path avoiding the broader highway to the south and keeping to the very top along to the pass of Mam Nick.

Lose Hill & Back Tor over Edale

Mam Tor

Rushup Edge

Brown Knoll & Edale Head

Eastern Edges over Vale of Edale from Lord's Seat

Eastern Kinder plateau

Mam Tor

South over Winnats Pass

Back to Lord's Seat

Served by a high car-park, the flagged path over the distinct little peak of Mam Tor is easy-going and very busy, but it isn’t too much further along before the crowds disperse again and the ridge gains a wilder aspect – more so flecked with an occasional snowflake. Back Tor is perhaps the highlight, a dramatic steep little rise with an uncharacteristic north face of vertical bare rock. Worth a short there-and-back to the end of the ridge and another good viewpoint at Lose Hill before the descent to the Vale of Edale.

Descending Mam Tor towards Barker Bank & Lose Hill

Mam Tor from the east

Vale of Edale from Hollins Cross

Long & Treak Cliffs west of Castleton

Back Tor

View back over Barker Bank

Lose Hill

Head of Edale from near Lose Hill

Grindsbrook

The path down from Back Tor is a lovely one, apparently quite little-used but winding a nice grassy way down through the trees and rocks to the valley and a gentle farmland return to Edale. Not a walk that will overly tax anyone, but – especially on a quiet clear day – a really good example of the walking in the Peak that can be enjoyed below the higher, darker hills.

Another view of Back Tor

Lose Hill & Back Tor

Rushup Edge

Mam Tor & Mam Nick

[ChrisW]

What a beautiful hike P, it is indeed a great ridge - perhaps not dramatic but great in its own way nonetheless and there's no getting away from the beauty of Edale really enjoyed this, nice to see so much of home when so far away

[garyhortop]

This is a fine walk and a part of the world I spent alot of fine times in (albeit mostly caving). The picture of Winnats Pass brought back some found memories of student days - mini-bus surfing down Winnats and also getting stuck at the top of Winnats in a blizzard as the diesel had frozen (Shows you how long ago that was!)!

Great report Pr!!