Kinder Scout via Edale
Moderate
4-5 hours
12.8km
What is covered in this article
- Where is Kinder Scout?
- Why choose this route?
- Travelling to Edale
- Facilities
- What kit will I need?
- How difficult is this route?
- Route description
- Where is good for food and drink?
Where is Kinder Scout?
Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District and attracts thousands of visitors every year offering stunning views and enjoyable walks. There are many routes to climb Kinder Scout, this one starts in the small village of Edale.
This walk is a circular walk which begins from Edale train station, there is some scrambling and the ground gets boggy after bad weather.
Why choose this route?
The route is perfect for anyone wanting to spend a several hours hiking, tackling some challenging terrain at times and who doesn’t mind a bit of scrambling. You won’t be sorry you took this route as the views throughout are spectacular (weather permitting).
Travelling to Edale
If you are travelling by car we suggest getting there early especially if the weather is good. Parking is available but with 138 spaces is limited which means they fill up quickly. Current pricing for anything over 4 hours but a maximum of 10 hours is £6. We advise checking for the latest updates on parking in Edale here.
Edale train station is at the heart of this route and is a half hour journey from Sheffield and only 40 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly via train.
Facilities
Edale car park has toilet facilities available between 8am and 6pm. There are also two cafes within five minutes of the station. We stopped at the The Fold for a breakfast which is open from 09:00 until 17:00 and is just a few minutes from the train station. The Penny Pot cafe at the train station does a selection of pastries, pasties, light lunch options and cakes.
What kit will I need?
The route up to the Kinder Edge path requires scrambling in places so a good pair of walking boots/trainers are essential as it can get slippy. Ground conditions surrounding the wind-carved rocks can get very boggy especially following bad weather. We suggest taking the following kit as standard:
- Comfortable walking boots (ensure they have been worn in first)
- A day pack for additional clothing and refreshments
- First Aid kit
- Good quality waterproof jacket & trousers
- Warm hat & gloves (weather dependant)
- Any additional equipment you feel you require such as walking poles etc
How difficult is this route?
Kinder Scout from Edale is a great walk and a great way to spend a few hours. Depending on your fitness levels it is easily manageable within 4-5 hours. The route is also child friendly but obviously depending on their age and walking experience be sure to allow enough time to complete the walk safely. If you have a four-legged friend wanting to come along too they will love it.
As with all walks be sure to know what the weather is doing. This walk will change dramatically and should not be undertaken in poor weather conditions.
Route Description
- Leaving from Edale train station take a left under the railway bridge.
- Follow the road towards Edale village passing The Ramblers Inn and the church on your left.
- Continue beyond the Old Nag’s Head onto a no-through road.
- Follow the road up to Grindslow gatehouse and take the footpath to the right.
- Cross over Grinds Brook via the bridge and ascend the steps on the other side.
- Follow the paved path to the left. Along the path there is a path leading off to the right, ignore this and continue straight ahead.
Woodland and a bouldery scramble
- Go through the gate at the end of the path which then leads through a section of woodland. At the opposite end there is another gate, pass through this gate and cross the footbridge.
- Continue along the path, this will get slightly rockier as you go along.
- You will reach a gate. Pass through the gate and follow the stream upwards.
- This section will require a bit of scrambling across boulders and you will need to cross the stream in places.
- Where the valley forks, keep to the left and push on to Kinder plateau.
Wind-sculpted rocks guide your way
- 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 winding path passing several sculpted boulders known as the Woolpacks towards Pym Chair.
Descend via Jacobs Ladder
- 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.
Upper Booth Farm
- 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 is good for food & drink?
Following your walk you will most likely be ready for some refreshments and maybe a bite to eat. Edale village has two pubs. The Rambler 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 Rambler Inn, which was extremely busy as to be expected on a sunny Saturday afternoon – and it’s worth noting that they don’t take table reservations at weekends.
Famous for its traditional fish and chips, the food menu also includes light bites, baguettes, pub classics and homemade pies, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a specials board.
The Old Nags Head, meanwhile, serves 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.
