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Walk up Kinder Scout from Hayfield

By Dave Chick   

on February 24, 2019    4.67/5 (3)

Posted as a walk in – Dark Peak, Derbyshire, England, Europe, Peak District National Park

Walk up Kinder Scout from Hayfield

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Retrace the route of the famed Kinder Trespass on this Kinder Scout walk from Hayfield

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

Distance

13.91 km

Ascent

588 m

Time

5 hours

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

Start Location

Bowden Bridge Pay & Display car park

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Care should be taken around the precipitous rocks of Kinder Downfall. 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 Hayfield Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Kinder Scout from Hayfield

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.

This walk retraces the route where, back in 1932, 400 walkers wilfully trespassed on the open country of Kinder Scout to highlight the fact that walkers were denied access to open land, much of which was owned by the upper classes. It could be argued that the trespass paved the way for the National Parks Act and the creation of the parks we all know and love today. It was also the basis of the modern Countryside and Rights of Way Act and the Countryside Code.

More information can be found on the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass – Guardian Article and the Kinder Trespass website.

Route Description

1 – The former quarry at Bowden Bridge (now a car park) was the rallying point for the trespassers and you will find a commemorative plaque high up on the quarry wall. From the car park, head north along Kinder Road to Booth. The lane runs parallel to the River Kinder. Cross the river over Booth Bridge and then follow the finger post left through a gate.

2 – The path follows the riverbank before you will cross the river via a footbridge. When you reach the entrance to the waterworks (SK 05256 88019), bear left to climb a cobbled lane. As you climb, the reservoir and the edge of Kinder Scout will come into view.

3 – You will find a stony track cutting up the hill to the left (SK 05423 88232) – ignore this and continue on, following a permissive path which heads across the slopes above Kinder Reservoir. The path leads to the foot of William Clough.

4 – From here, follow the path up William Clough to reach Ashop Head. Whilst the path is stony to begin with, it starts to degrade after you criss-cross the river several times. In places there is a choice of routes – all ultimately lead to the top of the clough. Towards the top, you will reach some stone steps where a line of cairns lead to a crossroads of routes (SK 06435 90104).

5 – Take a right and climb up to the rim of Kinder Scout via some stone steps – you are now on the Pennine Way. Follow the Pennine Way along the edge to Sandy Heys – a fine viewing point that pokes out from the edge (SK 07061 89301). Continuing along the path, a secluded lake (Mermaid’s Pool) can be seen nestling beneath the slopes. The waters of the Mermaid’s Pool are believed to offer healing qualities to those brave enough to bathe in them. Eventually, you will reach the massed boulders of Kinder Downfall (SK 08341 88960).

6 –  At Kinder Downfall, the River Kinder falls over the edge of a Millstone Grit shelf at the head of a steep-sided valley. Famously, when strong winds funnel up the valley, the waterfall is often blown upwards. Cross the Kinder River as the Pennine Way continues along the edge of the plateau, weaving its way between boulders and the odd cairn. After 2km you will reach the trig pillar at Kinder Low (SK 07904 87059).

7 – 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. From the trig pillar, follow the flagged path south, following the route to the right, to Edale Road and Edale Cross. Turn right through the gate to find the cross, an ancient marker post at the summit of the road. Continue downhill along Oaken Clough towards Hayfield.

8 – Leave the moorland and walk on a path through fields to the tarmac road at Coldwell Clough, join a tarmac road. At the fork in the road (SK 05449 85940), bear right, keeping the stream on your left. Rejoin the road at close to The Ashes and continue to Bowden Bridge car park.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Retrace the route of the famed Kinder Trespass on this Kinder Scout walk from Hayfield

This walk includes the Hewitt of Kinder Scout

This walk includes the Nuttall of Kinder Scout

Route Start Location: Bowden Bridge Pay & Display car park

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
13.91 km 588 m 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

Public toilets are located opposite the car park

Hazards

Care should be taken around the precipitous rocks of Kinder Downfall. 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 : SK22 2LH

Parking is free and unrestricted along Kinder Road though it can get busy. The alternative is the use the Bowden Bridge car park

Public Transport:

Regular buses to Hayfield from Stockport via Marple and New Mills, Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith.

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

Dave is our Lake District local expert, often found in the depths of Cumbria he’s the author of his own part on the web, All the Gear but no Idea.

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