The northern edge of Kinder Scout
Comment(4 votes)
This walk takes you across one of England's most famous moors, Kinder Scout. Kinder merits several visits, as it has a changing mood and appearance in different seasons. Tackling the northern end also allows for a bit of climbing on the spectacular boulders, which have been cut into many curious shapes by the wind. Finish the walk by heading to Edale.
Start: Hayfield bus station, OS Grid: SK035867End: Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, England, OS Grid: SK123856 Elevation Profile (x: waypoint number, y: metres)
Gain (+/- 10%): 669m (2197ft)
Total (+/- 10%): 1284m (4212ft)
Loss (+/- 10%): 614m (2015ft)
Max. Elevation: 630m (2066ft)
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Start the walk in the village of Hayfield. Head east out of the village towards Kinder Reservoir.
The path goes along the north edge of the reservoir. From here, head up William Clough.
The path from William Clough crosses the Pennine Way. At this point, head southeast onto the moor. On the plateau, though, stick to the northern edge of Kinder Scout. The whole plateau is now managed by the National Trust.
Follow the northern edge of the moor, enjoying a nice cup of tea on one of the many boulders on route.
This is the business end of the walk. Crossing Kinder Scout in good weather is a UK walking highlight - nowhere quite like it. In anything less, it's a real challenge. Pathless and disorientating in cloud or bad weather, you will need to have heeded that warning on all walking guides - bring a compass and know how to use it. If it's really looking rough, stick to the edge of the moor until you reach Blackden Moor, where it is a much shorter distance to cross. And be reassured that at least there are no beasts on the moor (unlike Bodmin or Dartmoor).
However you cross, head to the top of the Grindsbook Clough path. At the top of Grindsbrook Clough, follow the well-worn path down to Edale.
There are good transport links from Edale, as there is a train station as well as buses. It also makes a great place to camp, with a good pub and a choice of nearby campsites, so why not make a weekend of it and explore the southern side of Kinder Scout the next day?
That looks like a fantastic route, Tim. I've been along the northern edges of Kinder Scout a few times, but have yet to walk up there from Hayfield. I prefer the north side, as you can go miles and hardly see a soul.