Dog Friendly walks from Buttercup Cottage Castleton door step
There are numerous walks around Castleton all dog friendly.
There are numerous walks around Castleton all dog friendly. When we stay ourselves at Buttercup there are days were we don’t even jump into the car. There are so many stunning walks whether its up the ridge to gain views of Castleton or whether you walk over the other side of Castleton and take views of the ridge from below. The sunsets and sun-rises, (although we’re not great at the latter!), are stunning. In winter the low level sun creates amazing shadows and lights up the ridge particularly towards Mam Tor.
We have highlighted our local walks here, all can be combined, shortened etc. As you walk over the “main” road into the bowl be mindful it does get a little muddy in rainy seasons given its flat nature.
Red – Cavedale.
You can either turn right up Goosehill or left, over the streams, into the square. Pass the war memorial turning right you will see a footpath sign to Cavedale. Walk through the gate and up and it opens up with Peveril Castle above you. At the foot of the castle there are small caves and caverns. If you are a Game of Thrones fan you can try and recreate the scene from House of Dragon. They used CGI to enhance the castle.
The walk takes you up as the path narrows and is generally fairly steep and may have running water as it was a former riverbed. There are loose stones as you climb. As you get to the top you can turn right just before the top gate where you’ll see a trough.
Follow the path round the right where there are usually lots of sheep. You can walk to within a few metres behind the castle and arc left. Then you have the choice to zig-zag down the path to the foot of the ridge or as Edward likes to do risk slipping and sliding down on his backside. Amusing but rather dangerous. You will then turn right, open the gate and find Buttercup Cottage on your left.
30-minutes to 60 minutes depending on fitness levels.
Turquoise – Winnats Pass
Following the same route up Cavedale and right at the trough you can arc left away from Peveril Castle and along the ridge. You’ll see Mam Tor and the other side of the ridge and views down to Castleton to your right. Climbing slightly uphill, (which is a test after scaling Cavedale), you will see drystone walls and a beautiful tree.
Scale over the dry stone wall and arc right. There are a few small paths but if you essentially walk towards Mam Tor in the distance and dead for a dry stone wall you will come to a kissing gate. Through that you will arc left along another dry stone wall. There are 3 viewing points down to Winnat’s Pass that are breath-taking, I have dozens of photos as every time the light is different.
Following the path you’ll get to the top of Winnats Pass where you can cross over the road before the cattle grid and through a gate where you will start the descent of Winnats Pass. Past Speedwell Cavern you can turn left or continue back to Castleton. 1.5hours – 3 hours depending on fitness levels.
Orange – Goosehill Circular
A flat walk and with amazing ridge views, turn right out of the cottage, up Goosehill, through the gate and all the way along the dry stone wall towards the entrance to Winnats Pass. Crossover the road through the field and cark park along the quieter road and back towards Castleton. You can cut through Peak Cavern car park or turn right opposite the visitor centre towards the streams and back to Buttercup Cottage. 35-50 minute walk depending on fitness level.
Lime – Hidden path
A path that is easily missed. You turn left out of the cottage and can cut through the Peak Cavern car park. Turn left out of the entrance and the path is on the other side of the road, its has a small sign post but is very narrow and easily missed and is next to the houses. Walking up you go through a gate and you will continue walking alongside the stream and through a number of sheep fields.
At the end towards Dunscar Farm you can either turn left to get towards the main road or turn right towards Dunscar Farm and join the yellow route. Route can get muddy in rainy seasons.
35 – 50 mins depending on fitness.
Yellow – Bowl views
A fantastic walk offering views of the whole of the ridge, all flat terrain and if you do the shorter version its relatively mud free as a lot it is gravelled and or tracked. It also allows you start a little pub visit tour of one of the 6 pubs in the village.
Turning left out of the cottage you can follow the Lime route or Orange Route if you are doing the longer version towards Odin’s Mine. The mine is beautiful and you can enter it being a good few square metres. Turn back on your self and cross the road where you will find a path alongside numerous millstones. As you head past a set of houses, along a stream and meet the track towards Dunscar Farm in sheep fields. Turn right within the farm and through sheep fiends. You will pass dry stone walls and find a track that skirts along cow fields. Follow the path past the cow farm and you will get to Hollowford Road.
You can turn right back to the village or turn left up the quiet country road with a stream on your left. Past the childrens playing area and football pitch you veer right along a track. Follow this through sheep fields and through gates you get to the YHA Castleton. Turn right down the track and you will get to the main road. Turn right and follow the bends and you’ll get to the Cheshire Cheese and Swiss Tap. Perhaps the start of a mini pub adventure.
40min – 2 hours depending on route and walking pace.
