Up the Clough
A leisurely walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) in national park Peak District in Derbyshire, England, about 7.60km (4.72 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 3:00h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
342m (1122ft)
Descent
334m (1095ft)
Max. Elevation
600m (1968ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
676m (2217ft)
Start & End
Barber Booth
Distance
7.60km
(4.72mi)
(4.72mi)
Duration
~3:00h
Difficulty
Leisurely
Ordnance Survey Map
3Created by John Walker on 31 Jul 2016
A circular walk starting at Barber Booth (no pub, no shop only a chapel but 10 min walk from Edale station) then heading up the pretty Crowden Clough on to the edge path at the top of the plateau then descending by Grindsbrook Clough to Edale, where there are pubs and a café, before returning along the R. Noe valley to Barber Booth. Although a relatively short walk this one is quite challenging.
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Waypoints
OS Grid SK113847
From the chapel follow the footpath signs to Upper Booth, cross over the railway line, then pass through a camp site and head across fields towards the gash in the hills which is Crowden Clough.
OS Grid SK103852
You reach a farmyard. Ignore the sign on the right for the Pennine Way but go left, then right and in a few steps you see a footpath signed right, heading towards open country.
About 1.15 km (~0.71 miles) from 
OS Grid SK101855
A narrow path follows the edge of Crowden Brook, though well above it, through a wooded area. The brown peaty water rushes down from the plateau over a boulder strewn bed, broken up by rocky ledges.
About 0.27 km (~0.17 miles) from 
OS Grid SK102859
Emerging from the woodland the path runs along a field edge before the first of several waterfalls. Shortly after, the path descends to the stream to cross to the opposite bank.
About 0.46 km (~0.29 miles) from 
OS Grid SK101864
As the clough narrows it begins to climb faster, as the steeply rising sides of the valley squeeze the path ever closer to the stream. After rain the swollen stream invades the path, making it boggy,
About 0.48 km (~0.3 miles) from 
OS Grid SK098869
The path takes a higher route but is forced back to water level. Frequent tiny tributaries enter the main stream adding to the need for more scrambling across impromptu fords.
About 0.55 km (~0.34 miles) from 
OS Grid SK095872
To reach the top of the Clough can be a scrambling challenge. Instead, we set off up the right hand side of the valley, using the bushes and heather clumps as handholds, to reach the Kinder plateau.
About 0.42 km (~0.26 miles) from 
OS Grid SK100871
Turn right on a wide path across the peaty surface, handily paved with flagstone slabs across any boggy stretches. Rocky outcrops sculpted into strangely smoothed shapes are scattered across the plain
About 0.52 km (~0.32 miles) from 
OS Grid SK102871
Avoid a path to the right going to Grindslow Knoll, a high point overlooking Edale. Keep ahead on the paved slabs until a junction of paths where the smallest unpaved one heads almost vertically down
About 0.22 km (~0.14 miles) from 
OS Grid SK105872
Scramble carefully down the clough, with no clear path. We kept to the left bank until the contours on the right bank were less severe so it was possible to walk higher above the stream.
About 0.28 km (~0.17 miles) from 
OS Grid SK114872
After 1km the stream rounds an outcrop to emerge from the narrow gorge, allowing the path to reappear. Great vistas opened up across the valley below to Mam Tor, Lose Hill and Rushup Edge.
About 0.91 km (~0.57 miles) from 
OS Grid SK120867
Now the path sweeps down through trees to cross over a tributary joining from the left. The track rises through trees on a paved section across fields, right into a wood then down to cross a bridge.
About 0.74 km (~0.46 miles) from 
OS Grid SK121860
At the road, turn left then straight ahead is the garden of the Old Nags Head pub, for welcome rest and relaxation after what, for us, had proved to be a relatively short but very challenging walk.
About 0.66 km (~0.41 miles) from 
Return to Barber BoothOS Grid SK122857
You can return to Barber Booth across a field path which goes right off the main street just near the Cooper cafe but just a short distance beyond the start of the Pennine Way.
About 0.28 km (~0.17 miles) from 
