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Thors Cave Walk – 3 Walking Routes (Easy, Moderate, Hard)

The Thors Cave Walk is one of the most famous routes in the Peak District. In this guide, I share the details of this popular hike alongside three walking routes of varying difficulties.

thors cave walk cover photo

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Thors Cave Walking Routes

Now let’s look at 3 walking routes to Thors Cave. I will start with the easiest route (around 1 hour), then the moderate route (around 2.5 hours), and end with the toughest (around 5 hours).

Easy Thors Cave Walk

thors cave viewpoint overlooking manifold valley
Distance: 1.7m
Ascent: 194ft
Time: 45 – 60 mins
Difficulty: Easy

The easiest walking route to Thors Cave starts in Wetton. It can be completed in as little as an hour, making it one of the best easy walks in the Peak District.

You’ll take a right onto Carr Lane from the free car park in Wetton, followed by another immediate right onto School Lane.

thors cave walking trail

As you approach the end of the road, turn left and join the footpath on your left-hand side. Thors Cave should be clearly signposted.

Follow the footpath until you see a signpost for ‘Thors Cave’ and ‘Viewpoint’. Then, follow the path to the right, leading to the cave’s iconic arched entrance.

Spend time admiring one of the best views in the Peak District before retracing your steps back to Wetton.

Map of Walking Route

Moderate Thors Cave Walk

view of thors cave through trees
Distance: 4m
Ascent: 594ft
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

This moderate circular walk to Thor’s Cave also starts in Wetton. It is a bit tougher and longer but allows you to encounter a variety of terrains and scenery.

Start at the free car park in Wetton, and follow the signs for Thors Cave as instructed above. Explore the cave at your leisure before continuing along the route.

viewpoint inside thors cave

Upon leaving the cave, descend the steep steps through the woodland. There are a lot of steps, and they can be slippery when wet, so take care of your footing.

From there, follow the Manifold Way to Wetton Mill, a perfect place for a refreshment stop. It has a scenic picnic area or a charming tea room where you can grab snacks, cakes, and beverages.

sign post leading to thors cave easy walk

After Wetton, you can take a short detour to Nan Tor Cave or continue your ascent up into the hills. By this point, expect lots of sheep and beautiful scenery. In wet conditions, it may be muddy.

The trail eventually spears off in multiple directions. Stick to the path on your right to ascend Wetton Hill West and back into the village. Make a stop at the Royal Oak pub for a well-deserved beverage.

Map of Walking Route

Hard Thors Cave Circular Walk

thors cave circular walk trail past river doe
Distance: 9m
Ascent: 1060ft
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Hard

This challenging walk to Thors Cave also starts at the free car park in Wetton. To get to the cave, follow the exact directions as the two walking routes above.

After admiring the superb views from the cave, descend the steep steps and through the woodland area. At the bottom, cross over the bridge and follow the Manifold Track that snakes alongside the river.

view of thors cave from the manifold way

After around 1/2 a mile, you’ll come to a road. Follow the path to the left of the car park, which will lead you into the picturesque Manifold Valley. Expect sheep, lots of sheep, with rolling green hills in every direction.

Follow the trail across Wetton Hill’s grass slopes and join the country lane for a short while before spearing off into farmland fields. Be sure to stick to marked trails, as it’s easy to get lost.

sheep on thors cave walking route
beautiful walking trail peak district
it’s a beautiful walking trail in the Peak District

The best is yet to come as you reach the River Doe and follow the river through Wolfscote Dale. This was my favourite part of the hike, with enchanting scenery all around.

You’ll meander the river for 2 miles or before making the ascent out of the valley. Pass through the charming village of Alstonefields before returning to Wetton.

Map of Walking Route

Thors Cave Walk FAQs

Thors Cave Parking

Free parking for Thors Cave is available in Wetton, Grindon, and Butterton. Wetton is the most popular starting point for the walk. During busy times, you may have better luck in Grindon or Butterton.

Thors Cave Parking Map

Here are the Google map locations for Thors Cave parking in each of the villages.

educational board of thors cave

Best Time to Visit

Thors Cave is a popular Peak District attraction that can get very busy. It’s busiest during weekends and school holidays. If the sky is clear, I’d visit the hour before sunset.

II would avoid Thors Cave after it has rained. The cave is extremely slippery, so could be dangerous when wet.

entrance to thors cave

Other Things Worth Knowing

Dogs: Thors Cave is a dog-friendly walk.

Kids: Kids will love this walk but it is not accessible for prams.

Bins: There are no bins or facilities at the cave.

Map: It’s always good to have an app like All Trails to help you navigate the trails.

thors cave viewpoint overlooking manifold valley
thors cave viewpoint overlooking manifold valley

Enjoy this Thors Cave Walk

I hope you have as much fun as we did walking to Thors Cave. If you’re visiting the area soon, you might find some of our Peak District articles helpful.

If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, we wish you happy and safe travels.

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thors cave walking routes peak district

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