A Taste of the
Peak District
Peak District, Derbyshire accessing Kinder Scout from the north …
More Kinder Scout walking
On the first page of Kinder Scout walks we gave a few ideas for heading onto the Plateau from the Edale valley and Hayfield sides. On this page, we suggest some routes from the north side.
From
the Snake
Pass road (A57), there are a couple of ways
up on to Kinder. The Snake Path is a popular one but can be a bit of a plod.
Much nicer is the path up Fairbrook, a delightful narrow path winds its way
up alongside Fairbrook right the way up to the plateau, at Fairbrook
Naze.
It has quite a wild feel at the top, as you pick your way through the rocks.
Once on the Kinder Scout plateau, you have many options, head directly south
and see how good your compass navigation skills are - can you find Kinder
Gates, a rock formation, spot on? Actually, it is not that difficult these
days as a path is now developing, You could head east towards Hope
Cross,
coming down one of the paths that take you back to the Snake Road that way
or head west, then come down the Snake Path (much less of a plod than going
up it!) and back through the woods to the car. Which ever way you go, you
can enjoy the peat and fascinating rock shapes along the way, plus the great
views you get on a clear day. The parking is found shortly before the Snake
Inn, where you can partake of well-deserved refreshment after your walk whilst
marveling at the pictures showing the amount of snow the road experiences
virtually every year!
To get on to the low (madwoman's stones) end of the Kinder Scout plateau, there are various variations. For example, you can park at the western end of Grimbocar Wood, walk along the Snake road in a westerly direction then drop down to skirt the end of this arm of Ladybower reservoir and make your way up to the bridleway along the ridge from Win hill. Head north west and you can access the plateau via Crookstone Hill and Crookstone Knoll then just choose where you wander. If you park closer to Rowlee Bridge or Alport Bridge, heading up via Blackden Brook is a pleasant option. To make this into a good circular walk is to then head down via Fairbrook, head NW on the A57 then access the path that returns you to Alport below Dinas Sitch Tor and via Cowms moor. Best in the Summer when you have plenty of daylight.
There are tons of options in this part of the Peak District, we don't think you will be disappointed whichever route you take. Get a Dark Peak map and go!
Follow this link to see suggestions for walks from the Edale side of Kinder.