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.
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.
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.
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.
