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Walk up Kinder Scout from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough

By Dave Chick   

on February 19, 2019    5/5 (3)

Walk up Kinder Scout from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough

Route Essentials

Route Summary

This popular route from Edale has a little of everything and is the perfect way to experience some of the best of Kinder Scout

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

13.88 km

Ascent

639 m

Time

4.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Edale

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Crowden Clough will require you to get hands-on though should not present too much difficulty to most. Venturing out to find the true summit is a navigational challenge, even in good weather.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather For Kinder Scout

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Kinder Scout from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Kinder Scout from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough

Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District and in Derbyshire, but it’s not a mountain per se. It’s 10 square kilometres of rugged, windswept peat bog that is home to some of the most remarkable scenery in the country. Its place in history is assured as it was the site of the 1932 mass trespass which paved the way for the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in 2000, allowing us all the right to enjoy walking on designated access land, which the Peak District has in abundance.

This is one of the most popular routes to Kinder Scout and visits some of its highlights. Starting from Edale, you will climb the jumbled boulders of Grindsbrook Clough before heading out along the interesting southern edge, home to features such as Crowden Tower, Noe Stool and the Wool Packs.

Kinder Scout from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough  Route Description

1 – From the main Pay and Display car park in Edale, follow the road north as it leads into the village. Keep following the road past The Old Nags Head. Beyond the pub, you will see a small parking area for the cottages with a footpath sign on the opposite side of the road. Bear left to stay on the road (which quickly becomes a gravel track) until you reach a footpath post pointing the way into the woods on the right. It is marked ‘Grindsbrook’.

2 –  Follow the path through the woods as it descends steeply down to a footbridge across Grinds Brook. Climb out the other side and bear left, following the pitched path along the valley. Avoid any paths that head away to the right as the valley path will lead all the way into Grindsbrook Clough. It’s 3km from here to the rim of the Kinder plateau.

3 – After around 1.5 kilometres, the path will begin to deteriorate as the rocks and boulders in the stream become larger. You can take the opportunity to follow the streambed if the weather has been dry. Eventually, you will reach a fork in the valley at SK 10709 87243. The right-hand route offers the best of any scrambling and is recommended, while the left-hand fork is steeper but more direct.

4 – Follow the right-hand fork until you reach the edge of the Kinder plateau. There is no specific route up the valley, nor should you encounter any difficulties. Once on the rim, turn through almost 180 degrees to follow the path south. After a short distance, you will reach the location where the left-hand fork of Grindsbrook Clough emerges, marked by a substantial pile of stones (SK 10530 87256).

5 – Keep to the path along the southern edge. It is pitched with slabs in places to protect the delicate moorland though some boggy bits may be encountered. You will pass a few weird and wonderful rocks on the way, eventually reaching Crowden Clough. Cross the clough and turn south to climb to the top of Crowden Tower (SK 09426 87112), an outcrop of rocks which, from the valley below, look seriously imposing and befitting of the name.

6 – The path hugs the southern edge of the Kinder Scout plateau to reach the Wool Packs, an area of huge, weather-worn rocks that lay scattered in all directions, like discarded wool bales (hence the name). The path winds through the various formations though it is worth a detour to explore this fascinating area.

7 – The Wool Packs come to an end at a huge formation of rocks close to Edale Head (SK 08784 86956). The path passes around the south side. Along this section, keep an eye out for Pym Chair (SK 08799 87033) and Noe Stool (SK 08308 86962), both notable rock forms you will find marked on the map.

8 – Upon reaching Noe Stool (an anvil-shaped rock at SK 08308 86962) avoid taking the path which bears left and descends along the wall, instead maintain a westerly heading to find the triangulation column at Kinder Low (SK 07904 87059). Some would argue that this is the highest point of the plateau but, if you believe the Ordnance Survey a spot height 3m higher can be found approximately 500m to the northeast among the tussocks and bogs of the moor.

9 – From the trig column, head south through the eerie landscape along the Pennine Way which passes Edale Rocks to reach Swine’s Back. Here you will see a large cairn (SK 07948 86360). Bear right slightly to descend towards the head of the River Noe. At a fork in the path, bear left before finding a broad, eroded track.

10 – Take a left and descend along the track to the top of Jacob’s Ladder, a switchbacked path that was built for packhorses. To the left is the steeper, direct path while to the right is the longer, more gentle path. Both converge at a stone packhorse bridge at the foot of the valley.

11 – Cross the bridge and keep following the Pennine Way. This is the home straight though there is some distance left to walk. The Pennine Way leads to the hamlet of Upper Booth. Follow the signposts as the Way passes through the farmyard in Upper Booth. Turn left before the red phone box then bear right as you head through the farm. Bear left again (avoiding the first gate), instead, pass through the second gate on the right where a low metal sign says ‘Footpath to Edale’.

12 – The Pennine Way leads back to Edale though you will need to negotiate a short climb over the lower slopes of Broadlee-Bank Tor. Once over the slope a series of gates and stiles are all that stand between you and a well-earned beverage in the village.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

This popular route from Edale has a little of everything and is the perfect way to experience some of the best of Kinder Scout

This walk includes the Hewitt of Kinder Scout

This walk includes the Nuttall of Kinder Scout

Route Start Location: Edale

Distance
Ascent
Time
13.88 km 639 m 4.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Toilets at Edale car park and pubs in the village – The Old Nag’s Head and The Rambler Inn as well as Coopers Cafe and the National Trust’s Penny Pot Cafe.

Hazards

Crowden Clough will require you to get hands-on though should not present too much difficulty to most. Venturing out to find the true summit is a navigational challenge, even in good weather.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : S33 7ZQ

There is a large Pay & Display car park located at the entrance to the village. 10 hours costs ~£5

Public Transport:

Railway – The Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield (Northern Railway) passes through the heart of the Peak District, calling at stations at Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale.

Buses – Service 271 Sheffield – Castleton stops in Edale

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather For Kinder Scout

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Chick

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