Edale to Hope via Kinder and Alport Castles
A moderate walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) in national park Peak District starting and finishing in Derbyshire, England, about 19.70km (12.24 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 7:45h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
714m (2342ft)
Descent
791m (2595ft)
Max. Elevation
580m (1902ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
1505m (4937ft)
Start
Edale Station
End
Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, England
Distance
19.70km
(12.24mi)
(12.24mi)
Duration
~7:45h
Difficulty
Moderate
Ordnance Survey Map
This is a strenous walk over a variety of terrain from bleak moorland and peat bog to grassy pasture.
The walk begins at Edale station. The most challenging ascent takes place early in the day. There is a short crossing of the Kinder plateau, for which a compass is necessary, as it is easy to get lost in the deep peat groughs (channels). After a steep descent down Blackden Brook, the most difficult terrain is behind you. The next stage of the walk takes you to a delightfully unspoiled valley (the Alport) and up to the dramatic Alport Castles landslip, named for its tower like rock formations. After that, grassy pasture and easy, well marked paths lead down to the Snake Road. The final ascent of the day leads up through woodland to Hope Cross. After that, it's an easy stroll along the ridgeline (with optional ascent of Win Hill), then down through farmland to Hope station.
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SK121853
Trains from Manchester and Sheffield.
Turn left out of the station and walk into the village, passing the church on your left and the Moorland Centre on your right. Pass the Old Nag's Head and continue straight on up th lane, past houses. Bear right onto a path which leads to a footbridge.
OS Grid SK121861
Cross the footbridge and turn left on the flagged footpath towards Grindsbrook, passing a burn on your left. Bear right up a grassy track which ascends to a gate onto open moorland.
About 0.81 km (~0.5 miles) from 
OS Grid SK122865
Ascend steeply up a stepped path, bearing left at the top of the steps. Follow the path as it zigzags right towards the Nab, then left again towards the rocky outcrop of Ringing Roger. Continue on this path, ignoring any turnoffs until you reach the rocks. Scramble around to the far side of the rocks.
About 0.42 km (~0.26 miles) from 
OS Grid SK127873
Follow the path northwest to Nether Tor. The path swings to the west to pass the rocky tor.
About 0.89 km (~0.55 miles) from 
OS Grid SK120876
Head due north across the moor, following a small brook at first. You will need to use a compass for this stage, as it's easy to get confused amongst the peat haggs (banks) and groughs (channels). Jump up onto a hagg and on a clear day, you should be able to see Blackden Edge. Fortunately, this crossing of the plateau is short.
About 0.73 km (~0.45 miles) from 
OS Grid SK121880
Turn left along the well defined path on Blackden Edge. You will see the brook ahead and note the path descending by the main channel.
About 0.36 km (~0.22 miles) from 
OS Grid SK116884
Follow the path alongside the brook. It is steep, requiring you to scramble in places and make several crossings of the brook to gain the best footing. After a while, it becomes less steep, but still wet and muddy. Yiu can enjoy the waterfalls along the brook once the worst of the descent is over. Continue along the path, eventually bearing right near a ruined farm, towards Dean Hill.
About 0.67 km (~0.42 miles) from 
OS Grid SK129889
Follow the path along the bottom of Dean Hill, towards the River Ashop and the Snake Road. You will see a derelict barn on your left as you descend towards the river. Follow the track over a footbridge and ascend to the Snake Road. Turn right along the road and take the second of the footpaths to your left.
About 1.38 km (~0.86 miles) from 
OS Grid SK140895
I've recommended the second of the paths, as the first leads up to the farm and the farms dogs did not sound friendly! It's your choice, as both paths join up anyway. Follow the clear path alongside the river Alport to Alport Castles Farm.
About 1.36 km (~0.85 miles) from 
OS Grid SK134910
Turn right in front of the farm buildings. Turn right again along the riverbank and cross the footbridge. Bear left and after a few yards, begin the ascent towards Little Moor. At the top of the path, bear left behind Alport Castles. This should give you a good view of the rock formations.
About 1.63 km (~1.01 miles) from 
OS Grid SK140915
Retrace your steps to the top of the track you came up, but don't descend back to the farm. Instead, follow the path south east along Rowlee Pasture, passing Pasture Tor and Bellhag Tor, until you descnd to a surfaced track at the corner of a plantation.
About 0.78 km (~0.48 miles) from 
OS Grid SK163890
Follow a stony path down through trees, passing Hagg Farm and eventually reaching the Snake Road. Cross the road and take the footpath opposite, descending to Haggwater Bridge.
About 3.40 km (~2.11 miles) from 
OS Grid SK161884
Cross the bridge and turn right up a track into the woods. In a few yards, bear left, ascending through the trees. You will join another track, along which you bear right. This also turns left and eventually reaches a gate onto open fields. Continue ascending with the trees on your left to reach another gate. At the nearby crossroads of paths, turn left and continue towards Hope Cross.
About 0.65 km (~0.4 miles) from 
OS Grid SK162874
Hope Cross is an ancient waymarker. Ignore the place names on the plinth. They do not correspond correctly to the landscape, having been removed during the war and replaced incorrectly. Continue straight on along the path, reaching a stile and gate. The path starts to descend here, so leave it and bear left along a path to Hope Brink. Where the path forks again, take the higher path. You should be able to see the rocky summit of Win Hill, so head for that.
About 1.05 km (~0.65 miles) from 
OS Grid SK183850
If you wish to climb Win Hill, do so. There is a stile before the summit, so retrace your steps to it when you've been up Win Hill Pike. Deacend steeply towards Twitchill Farm. Bear left along a footpath a couple of fields above the farm buildings. This path leads onto a lane and to the first houses of Aston.
About 3.16 km (~1.96 miles) from 
OS Grid SK181839
Cross the road at the T junction and take the footpath directly opposite. Continue straight on, ignoring the better signposted path to the left. The footpath leads across fields towards the railway line and turns right alongside the track to reach Hope station.
About 1.09 km (~0.68 miles) from 
Hope stationOS Grid SK180832
Trains to Manchester and Sheffield.
There are pubs serving food and a Spar in Hope village, a short walk away.
About 0.69 km (~0.43 miles) from 
