Derbyshire Life Top Ten Peak District Hill Climbs

1...Mam Tor: It's not much of a climb if you go by car and park in the car park at Mam Nick, or even park on the roadside. I agree with the comment about also visiting the abandoned road, caused by a landslip...it's well worth the extra time and effort.

2...Win Hill: Much more of a climb, in my opinion the most difficult one on the list; just under 1000 ft climb I think. The views of Ladybower Reservoir from the summit are stunning.

3...Kinder Scout: The highest point in the Peak District. There are several different, and varied routes up to the top. It doesn't have a summit though, it's a plateau. Bleak, beautiful in its own way, magical, mysterious, and entrancing, but don't go up there expecting sweeping views of the distant countryside. My favourite thing about Kinder Scout is all the weirdly shaped rocks caused by erosion - they're fantastic to photograph. 

4...Back Tor: Halfway along the Great Ridge, of which Mam Tor is the highest point. It's an interesting rocky climb, but short if you're already on the ridge. There's another 'Back Tor' on Derwent Edge to the north east.

5...Black Hill, near Crowden: I went here once many years ago. It was very boggy at the time although in recent years a paved path has been laid up to the summit.

6...Thorpe Cloud: At the southern entrance to Dovedale. It's not very high, about 1,000 ft, but it's an attractive conical grass-covered hill. It's too far for me to freach on public transport...but I have climbed this hill though.

7...Bleaklow: Another bleak moorland expanse like Kinder Scout. Much easier to get up here though; the highest point can be reached from the layby at the summit of the Snake Pass leaving a relatively gentle climb of about six hundred feet on a well-maintained path. There are a lot of aircraft wrecks on the plateau.

8...Alport Castles: I'm surprised that this has been included on the list because it's not a hill, it's the site of an ancient landslide - well worth a visit though.

9...The Roaches: Located over on the western side of the Peak District, meaning that I can't get there on public transport. I've seen photographs of the area and it looks very scenic.

10...Higger Tor: Easily reached on the bus from Sheffield, just a twenty five minute journey to Fox House. You can also visit the far more interesting ancient hill fort of Carl Wark on the same walk.