Winnats Pass is a small but beautiful Peak District National park mountain-style pass. It’s a small road and is easy and quick to drive through. However, it’s still beautiful. The main attraction for me isn’t the drive-through but the great walks that come with it. The views over Castleton and Bamford if you look down with Mam Tor behind you.
There are many routes up and around Winnats Pass. I’ve been up a few times, doing leisurely walks and grade-3 scrambles. I’m also not talking about a specific way in this post, but I will link to a few below.
There are two strenuous parts, the initial ascent and the subsequent descent at the end of your walk. Starting from the top gives little to no ascension. Depending on the route you choose to walk.
Photography
Photography anyone? Winnats pass is a hub for local and travelling photographers alike. Getting the shot of sunrises or cloud inversions looking down over Castleton… Perfection. It is even better to get lucky and catch a cloud inversion with the sun above.
Formation and Geology
Winnats Pass formed approximately 340 million years ago as a reef fringing a shallow lagoon with deeper water beyond. A small outcrop of fossiliferous rock at the base of Winnats Pass, close to Speedwell Cavern, suggests that a contemporary underwater cleft or canyon once existed within the active reef, which caused the build-up of shelly and crinoidal remains at its base.
I believe everyone visiting the Peak District should visit this fascinating natural beauty. When I say see, I mean to go and walk it, don’t just drive through. Once you’ve completed your walk, you have an abundance of cafes, pubs and places to eat in Castleton.
If you enjoyed this read, check out more from the Peak District.
