Mam Tor is the well-known Peak District landmark lying to the west of Castleton and looking out over the Hope and Edale valleys. Water percolating down through the loose layers of shale which make up the open face create unstable ground, which gives Mam Tor its local name, the 'shivering mountain'.
The area below the face forms a constantly moving landslip which is steadily creeping towards Castleton... though thankfully only approx 1 inch per year!
The main Manchester to Sheffield road once followed the hairpin bend route in front of the face but needed constant maintenance, as can be seen in the layers of tarmac left behind where the road has now dropped away. After serious winters in the mid 1970s, the road was abandoned as a through route and has reverted to a track for walkers and cyclists. It is surprising how nature has almost reclaimed the area again.
On the top of the hill are the remains of a large Iron Age fort, the fortifications of which can still be seen, particularly to the eastern side, as ditch embankments. Excavations have shown that the original ramparts on top of these would have been a timber palisade, but later the timber was replaced by stone. There are also the foundations of many hut circles within the defences and pottery has also been found, which indicates this may have been a village rather than just a defensive site.
The trig point on the summit of the hill is placed on top of a tumulus which probably dates from the Bronze Age, and a bronze axe head has also been found here. Now owned by the National Trust, this area has been paved to protect it from the wear and tear of the thousands of walkers who visit here throughout the year.
The views from the summit of Mam Tor are superb, with fine views of Edale and the Kinder Plateau to the north, along the Hope Valley to the east and to the limestone plateau to the south. A well-known ridge walk leads from the summit past Hollins Cross and along to Lose Hill.
The hillsides around Mam Tor, nearby Lord's Seat and Rushup Edge to the west and Treak Cliff to the east are popular launch sites for local hang-gliding and paragliding clubs, which can create a wonderfully colourful display to watch in the early evening.
Mam Tor Audio Trail
Go back in time and up Mam Tor – the Mother Mountain – to explore the prehistoric hillfort that crowns the top of this dramatic hill. Written by Simon Corble, the man behind the award-winning stage version of The 39 Steps.
Download the Mam Tor Audio Trail – adults' version or children's version and the map & route.
You can also download the Making the Mam Tor Audio Trail, which features excerpts from the trail plus interviews with Simon Corbie and National Trust Property Manager Mike Innerdale.
