Bleaklow and B29 Over Exposed Crash Site

About this walk

Bleaklow is a large peat-covered moorland located in the Peak District close to Glossop. Even if you haven’t walked across this notoriously harsh landscape, you will most likely have heard of it. On 3 November 1948 USAF Boeing RB-29A Superfortress 44-61999 crashed at Higher Shelf Stones. All 13 crew members were killed and parts of the wreckage are still scattered across the moor.

This walk is challenging and excellent navigation skills are required; even on a clear day the weather conditions on Bleaklow change rapidly. The terrain is extremely boggy so appropriate footwear is always required, and large parts of the walk might be inaccessible following a spell of wet weather.

Bleaklow route description

Heading to Doctor’s Gate

(1) Starting out at the car park on Shepley Street adjacent to the large factory, start up the Mossey Lea walk, and follow the stony track passing through several gates/stiles.

(2) When you reach Yellowslacks Brook, cross the bridge and take a left and continue up the track until you reach a small barn. At the barn, take a right joining the Doctor’s Gate path.

(3) The path leads down into the valley before crossing the stream via a footbridge and starting the climb on the other side.

Joining up with the Pennine Way

At the time of this walk, works were in progress on laying stone slabs for the path as it is very boggy especially in bad weather.

(4) Following a lengthy climb you will join the Pennine Way. Take a left here at the wooden post which points in the direction of Bleaklow, and follow the path; after a while you will reach Alport Low.

(5) Here the path swings round to the left and shortly reaches a stream. Cross over, and then after the second crossing shortly after, take the path to your left.

B-29 Bomber ‘Over-Exposed’ crash site

(6) This path leads you up to crash site of the B-29 Bomber ‘Over-Exposed’ that sadly claimed the lives of all 13 crew on board.

The site is extremely moving and has remains from the crash such as the nose wheel, wing spars and all four engines. There is also a memorial dedicated to the crew who lost their lives.

Higher Shelf Stones

(7) From the crash site follow the path to the west to the Higher Shelf Stones trig point. Following the path from here towards the north it works its way around and into a fairly steep descent.

After a short while (and weather depending) you will see the path as well as the barn that you left earlier.

Continue your descent where you will rejoin the path, head down past the barn and back to the path leading back to the start of the walk.

Food & Drink

Once back down in Old Glossop there are several food and drink options to choose from. The three main pubs are The Bulls Head, The Queens Arms and The Wheatsheaf. However, there is also the newly refurbished local brewery Distant Hills Brewing which is well worth a visit.

As well as a seasonally changing menu, Distant Hill Brewing offer a Sunday roast with your choice of pink tenderloin High Peak beef, slow roasted gammon steak, or sweet potato wellington (v). All come served with lashings of aged gravy, tenderstem broccoli, roasted carrots, fluffy roast potatoes, and indulgent cheesy leek and Yorkshire pudding.

Alternatively, cut through the picturesque Manor Park to head back into Glossop, where there is a large choice of pubs and local restaurants.