Win Hill is the Cinderella of the Peak District’s hills. It’s at the epicentre of a number of honeypot summits and ridges, such as Mam Tor, Derwent Edge and Kinder Scout, yet receives far less attention. Its distinctive, wind-pummelled flanks and conical shape can be seen from miles around, adding an aesthetic quality to the rugged, peaty landscape. The climb is among the stiffest in the area but rewards you at the summit, with great views showing the transformation from the green, postcard-pretty white, limestone landscape of the south to the dark, brooding gritstone of the north. Incidentally, the name — along with that of its neighbour, Lose Hill — is thought to originate from 7th-century battles between King Edwin of Northumbria and the Mercian King Prenda
[1] Begin by the stone-built Yorkshire Bridge, (SK198849) that crosses the River Derwent.
(A) This was once an important staging post for packhorses travelling from Derbyshire into Yorkshire. This is a tranquil spot and you may see dippers plunging underwater in search of a meal.
Facing the hillside, turn right and go through a gate, before taking the waymarked path left uphill into Parkin Clough. From the start it is a steep climb (take care as the path can be muddy and slippery as you pick your way through the exposed tree roots), but just keep straight ahead uphill. To your left, a stream tumbles downhill adding a gorgeous musical cadence to the walk.
[2] After much huffing and puffing, the ascent eases off and becomes less steep. Approaching open ground, you pass through a gate and continue uphill, with views opening up around you as the woodland thins out. The summit (SK187852), at 462m/1,516ft is then quickly reached.
All around you is an open-air map of the Peak District. Due east is Stanage Edge; further north is Derwent Edge (with binoculars you’ll make out some of its distinctive outcrops, such as the Salt Cellar). The long arms of the Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs push north into the dark peak, while Edale comes into view to the north-west, with grindslow Knoll and Kinder Scout looming above it. Due west, an inviting ridge walk looms up along Lose Hill, Hollins Cross and Mam Tor — one for another time, perhaps. To the south, the tourist hotspots of Castleton and Hope rise up from the valley.
[3] From the summit, you initially retrace your steps downhill, keeping ahead through the gate and fence. But instead of taking the steep path downhill again, take the path that bears off left (SK195852). Follow this path as it drops gently down through the woods.
[4] Ignore minor paths on either side and then take the first major path right (SK196857) at the Springs, which heads south-east downhill more steeply. Eventually the path joins the track along the banks of the Ladybower Reservoir.
[5] At the southern corner of the reservoir (SK198855) turn left and walk across the paved path, which bisects the water from the weir and gives a sense of the scale of the engineering involved in constructing the dam. At the far side, pass through a gate onto the A6013, turn right and then immediately right again, following a fingerpost sign for the Yorkshire Bridge. This path drops down through woodland, briefly following the River Derwent before returning you to the bridge.