Kinder Scout - Peak District 26 May 2015.

Edale to Kinder Scout and return
Peak District
Distance 17km Climb 510m
Tuesday 26 May 2015

This was shown as Number 21 on ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks in January 2018. 

I moved up from the Edale Station (230m) through the village and continued passed The Old Nags Head, which is the official start of The Pennine Way. I had walked The Pennine Way approx 4 years ago. This time I had some time to have a look around and enjoy the area. I had left Anne at the station, Anne was going to Sheffield for the day while I was out for a walk.

I moved north passed the pub onto a gravel track, at a gate there is a sign for Grindsbrook Clough which took me down to a footbridge over the stream.

As I moved up by the wood that followed the stream north west I moved off north and started climbing up hill.

At a gate I continued climbing passed The Nab and took the path that led me to scramble up the stones to the Ringing Rocks (530m).

After taking a few photos I continued north to the track at the top of the ridge (590m). I travelled west over Nether Tor then Upper Tor.

I continued around the top crossing a deep stream where I turned north west then south west from where I could see walkers coming up the Grindsbrook Clough. My route passed that trail and I sat for a short while on the top ridge along from Grindslow Knoll. Admiring the range of hills to the south and some of the strange stone shapes in the area. I was fascinated by their shapes.

I continued west on the ridge on the south side of Edale Moor where there was a drop and a climb to a number of tall rocks which stood at the top of the Crowden Clough (590m).

I had intended to head north across Kinder Scout but continued a little along the ridge, as I said I was fascinated by the strange shaped rocks.

As I had moved off my route I took a compass bearing just slightly off the north direction and headed across open country to try and join the path across Kinder Scout. There was a lot of high and low deep water peat bogs, some flooded and dammed that I had to cross before I returned to the path.  The path followed a stream running north west which turned further west to join up with The Pennine Way at Kinder Downfall (600m).

From the top of Kinder Downfall I could see Kinder Reservoir lying to the west.

The wind was too strong for the amount of water flowing down the Kinder Downfall and the wind turned the water more into a spray than a fall of water.

I moved south west along The Pennine Way.

Just passed The Red Brook I met a couple of walkers who were looking for Edale, they were heading in the wrong direction, I showed them on my map where we were and where I was going.  I continued to the trig point at Kinder Low (633m) and I noticed them following me.

I moved on south to Edale Rocks (590m) where I discussed further the way to Edale with the walkers I had met. I think they must have turned back to where they started.

I continued down through Jacobs Ladder towards Upper Booth (280m).

There is a small climb on the way towards Edale of 350m before it starts to drop gently back to Edale Village.

I continued downhill passed The Old Nags Head to Edale Station, where I met Anne at the Rambler Inn.

It had been a good day walking, I had covered 17km with 510m climb.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in the Peak District or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to Day 1 of my Pennine Way
Follow link to another walk across Mam Tor joining this walk near Kinder Low

Hartside to Comb Fell via Hedgehope Hill - Ingram Valley - Northumberland 20 May 2015.

Hartside to Comb Fell via Hedgehope Hill and return
Ingram Valley
Northumberland
Distance 18km Climb 710m
Wednesday 20 May 2015

I left the car near Hartside farm on the road through Ingram Valley. I walked west along the road towards Linhope, the road was a gentle drop downhill. Although bright and sunny there was still a little bit of a chill in the wind.

Looking west at Ritto Hill

Crossing the bridge there is a small collection of houses, at approx 230m height.  I followed the footpath signs left through a gate then there is a sign showing the footpath travels right up a gentle rise across a grassed area beside a small wood.  The grass footpath joins a track that turns north west and continues beside the wood and continues climbing. 

At the top corner (320m) I then turned right again and headed down beside the wood that dropped down to the stream (270m). There are a few trees lining the stream as it moves up towards the Linhope Spout waterfall.

The Spout looked stunning, it had been years since I was last here with my children, at that time we did not stay as it was crowded with people.

Looking back down the stream from the Sprout

From the Spout I climbed back up to the track and followed this to a footbridge. I then took the track north up Hedgehope Hill which was a steep path in places.

This used to be a small wood full of trees.

I passed the track I usually walk up Hedgehope.  Although the track had been dry so far, there was now water running down in places making parts of the track wet and boggy.  The views were stunning and the weather was very clear.  It was cold in places especially in the wind on the climb up.

View west

View south

View north up Hedgehope Hill

I sat for a short while next to the 714m trig point and had a cup of tea from my flask, enjoying the view. I could see for miles, the sun was glistening off the white ball at Boulmer, wish I had brought my binoculars. The last time I was here there was ice hanging off the fence and it was very very cold. 

After my short break I turned west towards Comb Fell, I had never walked along this route before and found it very boggy and very wet in places. In places I had to walk around small lakes, jump bogs and deep ditches. 

Comb Fell on the left with The Cheviot on the right

The hill dropped (560m) and then climbed up to Comb Fell (652m), in a place there were trying an experimental mesh which a sign said it was to make it easier walking across the area, although today the signs also asked people not to walk on the mesh just to give the grasses and mosses below it a chance to grow through.  Due to the ground this area took some time to cross.

Moving across the top of Comb Fell a jet flew up through the valley to my left, below where I was walking. I had seen jets fly below me up here before so it was no surprise,  I was just disappointed with it being so fast as I did not have the time to get my camera ready to take a picture.  A few minutes later two further jets flew up the valley on my right, again below where I was walking.

Moving off Comb Fell, I turned left and headed south towards Coldlaw Cairn. I had another short rest on the leeward side of Coldlaw Cairn and sat and really enjoyed the view. 

Comb Fell looking towards Coldlaw Cairn

Shill Moor from Coldlaw Cairn

A gentle drop and short rise south east to Shieldcleugh Edge (538m). I could hear the cry of a young curlew, the photos have not come out very clear. 

Coldlaw Cairn from Sheilcleugh Edge

Another short drop before another climb took me up to High Cantle where I moved to the cairn (482m).

I then turned east headed down across open moor following loose marked paths and a short climb up to Rig Cairn (460m). 

I continued east and dropped down a little to look at Carswell Cleugh before returning to the path and continue east.

Carswell Cleugh

I dropped down again, at the base of Ritto Hill I checked the time and decided I had time to include Ritto Hill (380m). 

Ritto Hill from the north west

Hedgehope Hill from Ritto Hill

View east from Ritto Hill

It was then down and rejoin the track next to the wood on the west of Linhope.  I returned back along the track through Linhope, crossed the bridge, then headed up and climbed the road back to Hartside.iHh        

It had been a great day, I had covered approx 18km with approx 710m climb in about 4.5 hours.
Excellent day.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.