Kinder Scout From Edale: 8 Mile Circular Route
Moderate
4-5 hours
8 miles (12.8km)
Starting from the picturesque village of Edale, this classic walk leads you onto Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District and a place steeped in both natural beauty and history. The route offers a mix of challenging ascents, wide open moorland, and dramatic gritstone edges, rewarding walkers with sweeping views across the Hope Valley and beyond. From the steep climb of Jacob’s Ladder to the windswept plateau dotted with weathered rock formations, every stage of the walk showcases the rugged character of the Dark Peak.
It’s not just a journey through stunning scenery, but also one through time, as Kinder Scout holds a special place in the story of Britain’s countryside access thanks to the 1932 Mass Trespass. Whether you’re seeking adventure, a sense of history, or simply an escape into the wild, this route from Edale captures the essence of Peak District walking.
Edale is a busy destination for hillwalkers and as a result parking spaces get taken up very quickly, especially at weekends and bank holiday. There is a pay and display car park in the village (almost opposite the train station) that has 138 car spaces. Current pricing for anything over 4 hours but a maximum of 10 hours is £6.80 and a maximum stay of 24 hours is £7.90. Parking charges may vary from time of publishing. Accepted payment methods are coins, card and also the ‘pay by phone’ application.
🌤️ Know Before You Go 🌤️
- Car Park: Edale Car Park (S33 7ZL)
- What3Words: ///riper.skewing.rewriting
- Public Transport: Yes – Edale train station is in the heart of the village
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 700 metres
- Terrain: Good paths, steep, rocky terrain, wet, boggy and muddy sections as well as some scrambling.
- Public Toilets: Yes – located at Edale Car Park.
- Family Friendly: No. Maybe older children but the steep ascent and sections of scrambling is not suitable for pushchairs or toddlers.
- Dog Friendly: Yes – must be kept on a lead for safety
- Scramble Grade: Some scrambling may be required on the steep ascent
- Met Office Mountain Forecasts
- Mountain Weather Information Service
🥾 Essential Kit 🥾
- Good quality, well fitting walking boots/shoes
- 20-30L rucksack
- Gloves, hat, neck gaitor/snood
- Map, compass, and head torch (spare batteries)
- Emergency First Aid Kit (foil blanket, whistle, plasters)
- Additional layers of clothing
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- At least 2 litres of water
- Hiking poles (optional)
❄️ Additional Winter Kit ❄️
- Hiking poles with ice fittings
- Waterproof hat and gloves
- Crampons/Ice Axe
- Dry bags
- Extra food and water
- Sun protection
- Emergency shelter such as a survival or bivi bag
- A more comprehensive First Aid Kit
Kinder Scout from Edale route description
Stage 1 – Steep rocky ascent with some scrambling up to Kinder Plateau
From the car park walk through the village passing The Travellers Rest on your left and on towards The Old Nags Head (this is the start of the Pennine Way). Follow the path past the pub, crossing a stream and walking through some woodland before you reach the start of Grindsbrook Clough.
This is a steep-sided valley with a rocky stream that you will need to cross several times The final section becomes a scramble, where the footpath disappears and you climb up rocks alongside (and sometimes in) the brook — so you may get wet feet. The scrambling is not technical climbing, but you’ll need to use your hands in places to pull yourself up the gritstone steps and boulders.
Stage 2 – Descending Kinder Scout via Jacobs Ladder
At the top take the paved path which is directly ahead of you. Follow the path along to where it ends at wind-sculpted rocks. Ignore the path to the left and continue along the edge path towards Crowden Brook. The edge path climbs towards Crowdon Tower – a rocky outcrop. Continue along the path passing several sculpted boulders known as the Woolpacks towards Pym Chair.
The path descends towards the prominent Edale Rocks at the Pennine Way. Follow the paved path which takes you below Swine’s Back. Here take a left and follow the path downhill. Further down you will see a gate ahead, follow the path to the left before it. Follow the path down and take a left at the top of Jacobs Ladder. This steep path leads down to Jaggers Bridge. Follow the track ahead past Lee House Farm to Upper Booth.
Stage 3 – Upper Booth Farm tracking back to The Old Nags Head
At Upper Booth farmyard take a left into the farm, bearing right to follow a waymarked path through the gate ahead of you. Follow the path through a series of hand gates and footbridges. There is a slight incline to the path but it shortly levels out. Continue along until you reach a gate to a footpath with a finger post sign. Take a right and follow the path back down to Edale village where the walk ends opposite The Old Nag’s Head.
Where to eat and drink after hiking Kinder Scout from Edale
Following your walk you will most likely be ready for some refreshments and maybe a bite to eat. Edale village has two pubs. The Ramblers Inn and The Old Nags Head and both serve a selection of beers, lagers and spirits as well as decent home cooked food, and both also offer accommodation.
On our visit we stopped at The Old Nags Head, which was extremely busy as to be expected on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Serving homemade pizzas alongside pub classics and lighter bites, as well as offering a Pick n Mix sausage menu – just pick a sausage, mash and gravy or sauce to build your own combo.
Pics from the peaks: more from Kinder Scout via Edale
