How to Walk up Winnats Pass – A Complete Guide
Winnats Pass is in the beautiful Peak District National Park in the district of Derbyshire England and is one of the most spectacular limestone gorges and alpine passes in the country. Many people drive through and are amazed at its beauty, yet the Winnats Pass walk offers something more delightful. Winnats (as seen on a few Ordnance Survey maps) comes from ‘wind gates’ because it is a windy way into the Hope Valley through the gorge.
It is west of the town of Castleton, which is located within the National Trust’s High Peak Estate and the High Peak borough of Derbyshire.
The gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because 350 million years ago, it was under a tropical sea. It was formed when glaciers melted the limestone rock, which led to streams running through and dissolving the limestone.
Today there are many caves and mine shafts. Speedwell Cavern, which lies below Winnats Pass, is an excellent example of Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern, where you can see the Blue John mineral found only here in the UK. Speedwell Cavern, is an underground cave made of karst that is accessible through a flooded lead mine.
Winnats Pass Hope Valley is also popular with cyclists who aim to tackle the limestone cleft up the Winnats Pass road. It is part of the Tour of Peak road race and is a tremendous challenge that people love to take on. Hopefully, you will be able to cheer on some cyclists as they take on the narrow road whilst dodging the struggling cars!
Photographers especially love the cleft because of the winding road and how you are surrounded by the towering limestone ridges, and it is a popular spot for sunset and sunrise.
However, the pass is also allegedly haunted by a young couple who were robbed and murdered here in 1758 after they eloped. Their bodies were not found for ten years! Maybe you can manage to take a picture of the ghosts when you visit?
Winnats Pass Hike Details
The time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Distance: 4.4 km/ 2.7 miles
Walking Route type: Out and back
Elevation: 297m
Winnats Pass Walk Map
How to get to Winnats Pass
Winnats Pass is in the High Peak area, in the White Peaks and can be found to the west of Castleton Village near Speedwell Cavern. The address is: Winnats Pass Hope Valley S33 8WA
Where to park for Winnats Pass Walk?
The walk we suggest leaves from Castleton Visitor Centre Car Park. The car park has excellent facilities, including toilets, a cafe and a Visitor Centre where you can ask for information. Click here for the Google Maps Directions.
You will need to pay in coins or by phone (be wary of signal). The costs involved are:
£1.60 for up to 1 hour
£2.50 for 1 to 2 hours
£4.00 for 2 to 4 hours
£6.00 for up to 10 hours
£7.00 for 24 hours.
Winnats Pass Car Park Postcode: S33 8WN
If this car park is full, you can park at Peak Cavern Car Park. This car park is £5 all day, and you can pay both by card and cash.
If you want to do a shorter walk and are not interested in visiting Castleton, you should park opposite Speedwell Cavern. Click here for Google Maps directions.
It costs £4.50 for 4 hours and £9 all day. You can pay by card or coins. If you visit the Cavern, they will subsidise your fee. There are free spots in laybys before you reach Castleton, but minimal.
Winnats Pass Postcode: S33 8WA (approximate)
Top Tips
- It is steep to reach the top, so take your time and stop if you need to.
- The ground can be uneven and muddy, especially after wet weather. You will need appropriate footwear, and we recommend walking boots for grip.
- Wear layers and take a waterproof coat with you. It can be very windy on the top!
- Take a camera. You will be in for some fantastic shots. It is better to take pictures on the southern ridge than the northern ridge, so if you are going to take pictures, you should head to the other side.
- Take all litter home with you to ensure you leave the area unspoilt for others.
- Use the Ordnance Survey Map OL1 or make sure you download an offline map such as All Trails and take a power bank with you so that you do not come into difficulty.
Winnats Pass Circular Walk Directions
Stage 1: Castleton Visitor Centre to Speedwell Cavern
From the Visitor Centre car park, cross directly over the road and walk down the narrow path between the Three Rooms Cafe and Blue John Jewellers. Walk along the stream, and at the end of the trail, you will see The Little Shop and Silver and Stone Gift Shop. From here, turn right and go over the bridge.
Continue going up Goosehill Road, past all of the houses, until the road becomes a footpath between stone walls. Shortly after, you will walk through a metal gate and find yourself in an open field with a stone wall to your right. If you look left and up, you might be able to spot Peveril Castle.
From here, keep walking along the grassy path as it curves around. You should be able to see Mam Tor from here! The ground can be very muddy, so we recommend taking your time.
Stage 2: Speedwell Cavern to Above Winnats Pass
This grassy path will lead you to Speedwell Cavern, which is at the entrance to Winnats Pass Hope Valley. From here, you will need to cross over the road carefully and walk through the car park to go through the small wooden gate. There is an information board here, where you can learn about Winnats Pass Peak District before you head up.
Once you go through the gate, you will need to climb uphill. You can head up on many tracks, but most people stick to the right-hand side for ease.
Take your time because the ground can be very muddy. However, we think the views at the top are worth it. If you are checking them out, make sure you keep a distance from the edge and be careful as it can be extremely windy, as the name suggests.
Keep heading up, and the ground will eventually even out and become flat. You now need to continue walking until you reach the end, where you will drop down to your left and go downhill. We used the stones on the stonewall for grip as the area was extremely muddy.
If you choose to go up the other side then it is usually known as the best viewpoint of Winnats Pass but we also enjoy walking down the road through the pass.
Stage 3: Winnats Pass to Castleton
After you reach the bottom, you will need to turn left and go down Winnats Pass. There is a grassy (muddy) track next to the road. Remember to stay on the grass because the road can get busy with cars and sheep. However, you will now have a new perspective on Winnats Pass and the Hope Valley as you will be able to walk through it. It is magical.
Take your time to enjoy the beauty of the pass because before you know it, you will need to pass Speedwell Cavern once again. From here, you can cross the road and head back along the grassy path you started on.
Or you can follow Arthur’s Road straight back down into Castleton. The latter is the faster option, and there is a convenient footpath next to the road. You will then join Buxton Road and continue back towards the Visitor Centre.
Winnats Pass walk complete! Well done!
Alternative Winnats Pass Peak District Walking Routes
Option 1: Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge
If you are feeling adventurous, there is the option to extend your walk. From Winnats Pass, you can head through the wooden gate on your right and join the path that leads to Mam Tor. This loop takes you over some fields and up Mam Tor, along the Great Ridge, to Lose Hill and then back down through the fields into Castleton.
If you are interested in this walk, please read our Ultimate Guide to the Mam Tor Walks and follow the option from Castelton for detailed instructions.
Option 2: Cave Dale and Winnats Pass Peak District
There is also the option to combine Cave Dale and Winnats Pass. From Castleton Visitor Centre, you need to head towards the Bulls Head pub, cross over the road and walk down Castle Street past the George Pub. At the War Memorial, turn left uphill, and you will see a sign for Cave Dale.
Turn right at the sign and continue through the narrow opening into Cave Dale. Follow the Limestone Way uphill through the rocky path. At grid reference SK135813, at the junction, take a right and then keep right to go across the field past Rowter Farm.
When you get to the road, follow the signs and go across the field to reach the next road. Eventually, you will come to Winnats Head Farm and reach the top of Winnats Pass. It will bring you to Stage 3 of the walk we first suggested, and you can continue down the road and back into Castleton.
Please read: A Full Guide to the Cave Dale Walk
Frequently Asked Questions
How was Winnats Pass formed?
A tropical sea once covered Winnats Pass during the Carboniferous period, and the reef limestone melted, creating an underwater cleft that carved out the gorge. The earth lifted the rocks, and the water slowly exposed the buried reef. Today, in the limestone rocks, you will see fossilised sea creatures.
How steep is Winnats Pass in the Peak District?
Winnats Pass has a 28% gradient and is unsuitable for some vehicles to drive through.
How high is Winnats Pass Hope Valley?
Winnats Pass is 393m high.
What is Winnats Pass known for?
In the 1930s, Winnats Pass was the location used to hold annual rallies to advocate for more access to the open moorlands in the Peak District. Around the period that the Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout.
At their peak, these rallies were attended by as many as 10000 participants. Impressive!
Can you walk through Winnats Pass?
Yes, you can walk through Winnats Pass. There is a grassy bank that you can walk down, as cars use the narrow road to drive through because the main A625 road at Mam Tor was closed in 1979.
Can you drive Winnats pass?
Absolutely, driving through Winnats Pass is special as the road winds up or down. It is a unique experience and one of the best things to do in the Peak District Derbsyhire. The closure of Mam Tor’s main A625 highway in 1979 due to subsidence caused Winnats Pass being heavily used by traffic.
Therefore, if your vehicle is over 7.5 tonnes, you cannot drive through. The rule applies to coaches and buses because of the narrowness of the road. It is not uncommon to stall on the Winnats pass road!
Where is Winnats Pass?
Winnats Pass Hope Valley is in the Peak District National Park in England, and its closest village is Castleton. It is owned and looked after by the National Trust.
If you have any questions about the Winnats Pass walk let us know in the comments below:
Please read our guides to other fantastic walks near Winnats Pass:
Or, for inspiration on where to go next, please read The Best Hiking in the Peak District Derbyshire or the best things to do in Castleton if you want to explore the village!
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.
