Winnats Pass Peak District: Everything you need to know

Winnats Pass Peak District: Everything you need to know

Winnats Pass is a highlight of many people’s trips to the Peak District. This limestone gorge has formed an amazing hill pass that you can both walk around and drive through! In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about Winnats Pass Peak District to make your visit an unforgettable one!

About Winnats Pass Peak District

First, a quick history lesson!

Winnats Pass was formed by the melting of glaciers causing water to flow along lines of structural weaknesses in the limestone rocks. This water flow gradually eroded the limestone, causing cracks and fissures in the rock.

These fissures transformed into large underground cave systems, weakened by this erosion. The collapse of these caverns created the huge gorge that we see today!

The surrounding area is full of caves and caverns. Many of these were used to help the busy mining industry in the local area. 18th-century Castleton was well known for its lead mining and you can still see relics of its history today. In fact, Speedwell Cavern at the base of Winnats Pass is a karst cave that can be accessed through an old lead mine.

Miners of the Peak District are also the reason for the belief that Winnats Pass is haunted.

Yes, haunted…

The miners murdered a young couple on their way to elope at Peak Forest Chapel. Several years later, their bodies were discovered in a mine shaft.

Winnats Pass Stats

Now for the stats of Winnats Pass.

The road from Hope to Sparrowpit, which includes Winnats Pass, is 9.33km (5.8 miles) long. However, you are probably more interested in the length of the climb itself.

Many people measure Winnats Pass as an approximate length of 1.9km (1.2 miles). However, this measurement includes Arthurs Way which is a 0.6km (0.4 mile) incline approach to the pass.

The actual length of Winnats Pass in the Peak District is 1.3km (0.8 miles). This measures the distance from the base at Speedwell Cavern to the top.

Over this distance, the pass has an elevation of just over 200m. This takes Winnats Pass to a height of 416m (1364ft) above sea level. The steepest section of Winnats Pass reaches over 28%, while the average gradient is 11.7%.

So watch your clutch if you’re driving up Winnats Pass!

How to get to Winnats Pass (Peak District)

Winnats Pass is located in the Peak District National Park, in between the towns of Hope, Sparrowpit, and Edale. The nearest town is Castleton which is situated just east of the pass.

By Car

By far the easiest way to get to Winnats Pass is by car.

From Castleton, take the A6187 in the direction of Buxton. Turn left onto Arthurs Way and you will reach the lower end of Winnats Pass where the main car park is located.

If you’re coming from the west or Buxton direction, you will follow Winnats Pass road from the Olive Tree pub in Sparrowpit. Take a right-hand turn as the road begins to curve to the left. You will be able to see the beginning of Winnats Pass from the junction.

Where to park

Parking near Winnats Pass shouldn’t be an issue as you have multiple options.

The nearest car park is the Speedwell Cavern car park located at the foot of the pass (see map).

There is also parking in the town of Castleton, a 10-minute walk away.

Prices are as follows:

• Castleton Car/Coach Car Park: £1.60 for 1 hour, £2.50 for 1-2 hours, £4 for 2-4 hours, £6 for 10 hours, and £7 for 24 hours.
• Peak Cavern All Day car park: £6 for all-day parking.

By Public Transport

The nearest stations to Winnats Pass are Edale Station and Hope Station which are both an hour away on foot. You can get the 272, 256, or 173 buses from Hope to Castleton to shorten the journey.

The 271 and 272 buses connect Sheffield to Castleton.

The H1 Bus runs from Derwent Dams to Blue John Cavern near Mam Tor and actually drives through Winnats Pass!

By foot

There are several options to walk Winnats Pass due to its proximity to other nearby attractions.

One popular option is starting from Castleton which is a 10-minute walk away from the lower end of the pass.

You could incorporate Winnats Pass into another Peak District walk, such as Mam Tor. Mam Tor is a 15-minute walk away which could be a good detour if you have time.

There are a variety of other walking options signposted from the base of Winnats Pass. These will take you to Peak Cavern, Peveril Castle, and Cave Dale.

When to visit Winnats Pass (+ Opening Times)

Winnats Pass is open 24 hours a day.

The best time to visit Winnats Pass is during the summer months (May-August) when the temperatures are warmer. The pass is open all year round, however, the road occasionally closes in unsafe conditions during the winter.

Bear in mind that during the summer holidays and at weekends, the roads, Speedwell Car Park, and Winnats Pass walk can become busier.

I would recommend getting there earlier in the day if possible to avoid the crowds.

Some photographers will arrive at sunrise as the pass runs east to west making for a well-aligned sunrise shot. You can check the sunrise and sunset times for Winnats Pass here.

Entrance Fee

Winnats Pass is free to enter. There is no entrance fee.

Exploring Winnats Pass: What to expect

Driving Winnats Pass (Peak District)

Driving through the hill pass is an experience in itself. With high rocks on either side of the road, you feel like you’re in an amphitheater surrounded by rock faces and steep slopes.

Winnats Pass has an average slope of over 10%. This makes driving through the pass a surreal experience!

The road itself is quite narrow and coupled with the steep incline and gates at either end, this can cause vehicles to move very slowly. This leads to frequent traffic and crowding around Winnats Pass.

Personally driving down the hill is a more enjoyable experience.

Walking Winnats Pass Peak District

If you’ve been reading my blog for any period of time, you’ll probably know that I prefer walking around!

This means that once you’ve ditched the car at the car park at the bottom of the hill, it’s time to get out and explore!

So… What to expect?

There are two sides of the gorge split by a road.

If you want the quickest and easiest stride to the top, you can follow the steps up from the car park side. You should see a gate exiting the car park which leads towards Winnats Pass.

Note: When I say steps, these ‘steps’ disappear towards the top. But there is a well-trodden dirt track that leads you to the top of Winnats Pass.

Plenty of people come back the way they came for a number of reasons:

• The path onward isn’t particularly clear
• The slope in some areas can be very steep
• There are lots of other things to do in the Winnats Pass Peak District area.

Winnats Pass Circular Walk

If you want to see Winnats Pass from every angle, you can do a loop around.

Due to the steepness, I recommend starting on the opposite side of the car park and making your way up.

(To the left side of the road if you are facing up the hill).

Be warned, there isn’t much of a path to the top as it is primarily grass.

Once at the top, there is a dirt path that you can follow along the ridge. This will give you views over the Peak District and the road below.

At the top, the path remains moderately flat. After around 500m you will gradually descend and make your way down the hill again towards the road.

Cross the road carefully and go through the gate on the other side.

Note: You have the option to extend your loop walk towards Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, or Mam Tor by following the path left and away from the Winnats Pass.

After the gate, turn right and start making your way up the hill again to Winnats Pass viewpoint.

Once at the summit, you will be able to see Speedwell Carpark and Castleton. Make your way down the path towards your starting point to complete the circuit.

Note: If you don’t fancy the steep climb up and down the hill, you can walk alongside the road on the grass (see picture).

Cycling Winnats Pass Peak District

It is possible to cycle Winnats Pass in both directions. In fact, the pass is frequently featured in part of the annual Tour of the Peak cycle race.

On a quiet day, the road is smooth and easily cyclable. However, due to frequent traffic and the narrow road, you should cycle with caution as overtaking cars can get very close.

You may also want to hold your breath as cars burn their clutches or as you wait in traffic!

Also, watch out for the cattle grid at the top.

What to pack for Winnats Pass Peak District

The essential items to pack when visiting Winnats Pass and the surrounding areas of the Peak District are:

• Hiking boots or walking shoes

Whether you’re doing the short hike up to Winnats Pass viewpoint, or you’re incorporating the pass into a longer walk, you should have a good set of walking shoes or boots. The slope can be quite steep, so you want to have a good grip on the surface.

If it has rained recently, I would particularly recommend waterproof boots to avoid any rain soaking your trousers and socks.

• Walking socks

Pair your walking boots with a good set of walking socks and you’re good to go! Proper walking socks will help prevent you from getting blisters and ruining the rest of your trip in the Peak District.

• Thin clothing layers

Taking several thin layers rather than one thick layer will make it 10x easier to stay at the right temperature.

• Waterproof

Check the weather before you go. But it’s always handy to have a waterproof with you in changing conditions.

• Camera
• Sunscreen (where appropriate)
• Reusable water bottle – it’s always important to stay hydrated on any day out exploring!
• Food/snacks for the walk – it’s equally important to stay energised throughout the day when you’re being active!

Other activities in the area

Walks:

• Mam Tor: Just 15 minutes away from Winnats Pass is one of the most famous walks in the Peak District. Mam Tor has stunning 360-degree views over the surrounding valleys.
• Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill: Two of the Peak District’s most distinctive hills make up a stunning walk 30 minutes south of Winnats Pass.
• Cave Dale: This dry limestone valley is a popular hiking and dog-walking route hidden a couple of minutes away from Castleton.

Caverns:

• Speedwell Cavern: This flooded cave system offers spectacular boat tours exploring deep underground.
• Peak Cavern: Also known as ‘The Devil’s Arse’, Peak Cavern is the largest natural cave entrance in Britain.
• Blue John Cavern: One of two caverns that still excavate the mineral Blue John (Derbyshire Spar).
• Treak Cliff Cavern: The other cavern that mines for Blue John, also has stunning stalagmites and stalactites.

Other:

• Peveril Castle: The ruins of this 11th-century castle stand tall above the village of Castleton.
• Odin Mine Crushing Wheel: This archaeological monument is the site where ores from the Winnats Pass area in the Peak District were brought to be crushed and washed. Makes an interesting stop on walks around the area.
• Castleton Visitor Centre: Has a shop, cafe, and toilet facilities.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my travel guide on Winnats Pass. If guides and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy exploring!