From the car park entrance turn left along the main road then turn right into Castle Street. With the ruined Peveril Castle ahead, cross the Market Square (left) to the less than obvious entrance of Cave Dale. (This is to the right, just of Bargate.)

Having found the dale, you simply walk through it; this lovely secluded limestone valley has several 'swallets', holes which swallow the little streams which appear (and disappear) throughout the dale. Continue via a series of gates through the Cave Dale until you reach pasture land; cross this to attain the passage lane to Dirtlow Rake lane.

Turn right at the lane; the name Dirtlow Rake and the numerous mines (disused) and shafts marked on the map hereabouts provide evidence of a region streaked with lead veins, mined here since Roman times. Continue along the Dirtlow Rake Lane. Where the Lane widens, keep right, along the Rowter Lane, and continue beyond the access track of Rowter Farm. Keep on the metalled track to a cattle grid and the minor (B6061) road.

Cross the road and ascend Windy Knoll ahead; from Windy Knoll a descent may be made to the right, crossing the B6061 to reach Winnats Head Farm, but for the energetic, an ascent of Mam Tor is recommended. From the Windy Knoll cross the A625 and make the short (but rather steep) climb to the summit of Mam Tor.

The summit of Mam Tor - "The Shivering Mountain", due to the unstable shale face - is the site of a major Bronze/Iron Age fort. Having explored the summit and absorbed the views the location of the fort was certainly no accident; its strategic importance is quickly grasped simply by looking out from the hilltop. You now descend via the obvious manufactured stepped path. At the bottom of the path can be found the Blue John Mine and the Treak Cliff Cavern. Blue John is a uniquely banded mineral stone, popular with visitors who wish to take a souvenir home with them. The Blue John and Treak Cliff Caverns - and the nearby Speedwell Cavern - are open to the public..

From the foot of Mam Tor with its spectacular shale face, you follow the path to Winnats Head Farm (to join those who have opted out of the ascent of Mam Tor). At the farm, bear left along the road through the steep narrow gorge of the Winnats Pass. Descend the road through the pass to the Speedwell Cavern, an old lead mine and now a tourist magnet (but not without its charms, as mentioned above). Beyond the Cavern is the footpath, to your right.

Follow the track right, to Goosehill (a path from the bridge runs right, leading to Peak Cavern, if required). Cross the bridge and simply walk alongside (downstream) Peakshole Water to the car park in Castleton. If you have time to spare, there are now numerous opportunities for some leisurely exploration.