The Tower

About The Tower

Situated above the Alport Valley, this imposing gritstone pinnacle is the centerpiece of Alport Castles, the UK’s largest landslide. It offers a rugged, scrambly character that contrasts sharply with the surrounding peat moorland. Reaching the summit requires a short, airy scramble, providing a dramatic perspective on the debris-strewn slopes below.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is purely descriptive, referring to its resemblance to a medieval fortification. It is the largest of several debris mounds in the 'Alport Castles' area that, when viewed from the valley below, look like a line of ruined battlements.
• •Geologically, this is part of a massive landslip where the heavy Namurian gritstone has slumped over weaker Edale Shales. While the main movement occurred thousands of years ago, the area remains geologically active and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
• •The summit offers a bird's-eye view of the Alport Valley, with the dark, sprawling mass of Bleaklow to the north and the northern edges of the Kinder Scout plateau visible across the Ashop Valley to the south.
• •The area is a significant nesting site for the peregrine falcon. Hikers are often treated to the sight of these raptors using the high gritstone edges and The Tower itself as a launchpad for hunting across the moors.
• •Despite its intimidating appearance from the valley, the ascent is a relatively straightforward scramble for those with a steady head, though the gritstone can become notoriously greasy and unforgiving in typical Peak District drizzle.