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Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll (Ethels), High Peak

ModerateEngland · United Kingdom

GPX
Distance
10.2 km (6.3 mi)
Elevation gain
224 m (735 ft)
Typical time
2 hr 28 min
Difficulty
Moderate
Route type
Loop
Highest point
Not recorded

About Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll (Ethels), High Peak

Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll (Ethels), High Peak is a 10.2 km hiking route in England, United Kingdom. It climbs roughly 224 m (735 ft) along the way. Most people take around 2 hr 28 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.

This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.

It is a 10.2 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is High Peak, about 4.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by National Trust.

In short, Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll (Ethels), High Peak suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Moderate10.2 km224 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

The route in detail

The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The gradient is spread evenly, so there is no single section that dictates your pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.

Highlights

  • Mountain
  • Circular route, no backtracking

Know before you go

Best season
April to October
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Generally usable
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
50/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
37/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
30/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
56/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
31/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in United Kingdom are reached on 999. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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