Peak District | Stepping Outside

Mam Tor via Winnats Pass

Emma — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:30:25 +0000

The route begins with a short climb around Winnats Pass, a dramatic limestone valley created by a collapsed cave system. After a steep descent, the path leads towards Mam Tor summit, with captivating views across Kinder Scout and the Eden Valley.

Start and End Location: Mam Nick Car Park on Sparrowpit Buxton A623.A6
Start Postcode: S33 8WA
Distance: 6.5km, with an optional extra 3.5km
Time: 2-3 hours
Facilities: Toilets and cafes on route
GPX Download: Link below map
Grade: Easy/Medium Mountain Walk with one steep descent.

Download file: MamTorWinnatsPass.gpx

From the car park entrance, cross the road, turn left and follow the road for a few hundred metres. After a parking lay-by, there is a wooden footpath sign next to a wooden gate. Go through the gate and follow the path for a few metres. Just before the footpath reaches the quarry pit, bear left and cross the field to a small wooden gate in the stone wall.

Go through the gate, cross the road and through another wooden gate.

Follow the path in a south-east direction toward Winnats Head Farm. After passing the back of the farm, turn right and continue across the field to a wooden gate.

Go through the gate and cross the road below the cattle grid. Take the grassy path up the steep bank and continue to a stone wall.

Bear left, keeping the wall on your right right and continue on the now flat path, with incredible views down to Winnats Pass. If you look carefully, you’ll see small caves still visible in the limestone cliffs on the opposite bank.

The path follows the natural curve of the pass and bears around to the left before making a sharp left down a steep bank, with mild scrambles, towards the road and Speedwell Cavern.

From Speedwell Cavern, cross the road and take the narrow path to the left of the buildings; there is a metal stile at the start of the path. Cross the stile, go through the small wooden gate and follow the path as it bears left. Continue up the steps, past Treak Cliff Cavern and on to Blue John Cavern. From Blue John's, turn right and follow the track to reach the road. Turn right at the road and continue for a few 100 metres. Where the road ends, go through the wooden gate on the left and follow the tarmac path.

Various footpaths soon appear on the left, diagonally crossing the hillside. Take any of these paths and continue uphill to reach Hollins Cross.

From Hollins Cross, you can turn left to reach Mam Tor summit. However, I would recommend turning right and following the well marked, paved path along the ridge to Loose Hill, adding 3.5km to the route.

From Loose Hill, retrace your steps back to Hollins Cross and continue on the wide paved path to Mam Tor.

From Mam Tor summit, continue along the paved footpath as it bears right and continues downhill to Mam Nick Car Park.

The post Mam Tor via Winnats Pass first appeared on Stepping Outside.

Kinder Scout from Edale

Emma — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 18:59:32 +0000

Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District but it’s the history of the moorland which makes this a ‘must do’ route. In 1932, a few hundred ramblers trespassed on Kinder Scout wanting landowners to give walkers the right to enjoy the British countryside. The march was the start of a movement which eventually led to the creation of the National Parks; most of the walks we enjoy today are thanks to this small group of ramblers.

Start and End Location: Edale Car Park
Start Postcode: S33 7ZL
Distance: 17km
Time: 5-6 hours
Facilities: Toilets in car park and a few pubs close to the start of the route
GPX Download: Link below map
Grade: Medium Mountain Walk, with good navigation skills needed.

Download file: KinderScout.gpx

From the car park, take the narrow path next to the toilet block down to the road.

Turn right and follow the road to The Old Nags Head pub. Take the path on the left, signposted ‘Pennine Way’ and continue through the woods.

Cross the field in a north-west direction, go through the wooden gate and follow the Pennine Way. Continue straight on, crossing open fields and ignoring any paths joining from the right.

The path bears left and eventually reaches a farm. Turn left through the farm buildings and down to the road. Turn right at the road and continue straight on, passing through a wooden gate. The path bears around to the right and goes between farm buildings.

From here, a well defined track runs alongside the stream, before climbing Jacob's Ladder stone steps.

View from Jacobs Ladder

Keep right at the fork and continue straight on to reach Kinder Low Trig Point.

Turn right and cross the moorland towards the unique rock formations directly ahead. The small summit cairn is a few hundred metres to the left if you wish to make a detour.

After exploring the unique rocks, continue following the path as it bears north, north-east to reach Kinder Downfall waterfall. If there has been plenty of rain, the unmistakable cascades flow through the rocks and fall down into the valley. In drier weather, the gorge is still dramatic and offers wonderful views across Mam Tor.

Kinder Downfall

From here, there are various routes back to Edale, I would recommend continuing towards Fox Holes.

Climb up the opposite bank of Kinder Downfall and continue on the main pathway, following the edge of the valley, with views over Mam Tor to the right. Ignore any paths forking off to the right and continue straight on to eventually reach the ravine.

Take the right hand fork, keeping the ravine on the left. The path climbs for a few hundred metres before bearing right and then downhill, eventually reaching a wooden gate.

Go through the gate, straight across the field and pick up the initial path through the woods to The Old Nag’s Head pub. Retrace your steps to the car park.

The post Kinder Scout from Edale first appeared on Stepping Outside.