Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Natalia
Thor’s Cave, situated in the Manifold Valley, is one of the most unique and picturesque places to visit in the Peak District. This naturally formed cavern towers above the valley, with the cave entrance framing the view of the scenery below. It made our list of the 10 best views in the Peak District and out list of easy Peak District walks, so it’s definitely worth visiting – trust us! There’s parking conveniently near Thor’s Cave, which makes it ideal regardless of whether you want a quick visit or to spend the day exploring the Manifold Valley. If you’re looking for a scenic walk in the Peak District, then make sure to visit Thor’s Cave during your trip!
Thor’s Cave Parking
Thor’s Cave is located in the Staffordshire Peak District, just a short distance from the village of Wetton. Conveniently, there is free parking in the village itself which makes it easy to drive to regardless of whether you’re looking for a long walk or a quick visit.
The postcode for the car park near Thor’s Cave is DE6 2AF in Wetton, but make sure your sat nav is set to Carr’s Lane as the directions may lead you elsewhere nearby. It’s a relatively small car park, so it’s best to arrive early if possible to avoid having any issues parking.
There are free public toilets at the car park, and the parking is conveniently located around a 5-minute walk from the footpath that leads to the cave.
Thor’s Cave Walking Routes
There are a few different walks to enjoy around Thor’s Cave and the Manifold Valley, so even if you just fancy a quick stroll then it’s still worth a visit.
The footpath to Thor’s Cave is found on Leek Road, around a 5-minute walk from the Carr’s Lane car park. You’ll have to walk along the road to get there, but there are some grassy verges if you need to get out of the way of any traffic.
Turn left once you get to Leek Road and after around 50 metres the concession footpath to the cave. It takes around 15-20 minutes to walk to Thor’s Cave from the start of the footpath.
The walk itself is relatively easy but does involve some downhill and uphill sections. As you get closer you’ll begin to see where the cave towers above the valley below. To get into Thor’s Cave itself you will have to scramble a bit on your hands and knees, but it’s worth it to enjoy the view from inside.
While you’re there it’s worth taking the time to walk up the path to the viewpoint above Thor’s Cave. From the top you’ll get brilliant views of the surrounding area.
Click here to download Thor’s Cave circular walk on AllTrails!
If you’re looking to spend longer in this area of the Peak District then you can visit Thor’s Cave as part of the Manifold Valley walk. This 10-mile long walk should take around 3-5 hours, leading you through the valley and along the River Manifold.
Click here to get directions for the Manifold Valley walk!
There are a few other walks possible in the area, but personally we recommend doing one of the above two. Another option is to do the walk to Thor’s Cave and then just do part of the Manifold Valley route if you’d prefer a slightly longer walk.
One thing to be wary of when visiting Thor’s Cave is that the cave itself can be quite slippery if it’s been raining. We recommend visiting on a dry day if possible, as it’s a lot safer and easier to get inside the cave.
Tips for visiting Thor’s Cave
Viewpoint above Thor’s Cave – Make sure to follow the path that leads above the cave, as you get some lovely views of the Peak District and Manifold Valley from there. Be warned though, it can be quite windy!
Avoid weekends and holidays – It’s best to visit the cave on weekdays, avoiding any public holidays. It’s a reasonably popular spot so it can get a little busy at times.
Visit early – One of the best ways to make sure you have the cave to yourself is to visit early. We personally arrived at around 8.30am on a Wednesday in June and still found that we had the place to ourselves!
Rock climbing – Rock climbing is possible at Thor’s Cave if you have the right equipment. Click here for more information on climbing at the cave! If you are interested in rock climbing it is also possible at other places in the Peak District like Stanage Edge.
If you love this view make sure to check out the walks in Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill for breathtaking scenery.
Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!
Like this guide to the amazing Thor’s Cave walk in the Peak District? Pin it!
