Kinder Scout mass trespass walk
In 1932 around 500 walkers, mostly from Manchester, trespassed en masse and walked from Hayfield to Kinder Scout to secure access rights to open country for all to enjoy forever. Today you can walk in their footsteps and enjoy the barren Dark Peak moorland landscape that others fought so hard for.
Plan ahead
This area can be extremely busy on weekends. The main car parks fill up quickly by 9am during peak periods including weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, so please plan ahead before leaving. Please park safely and considerately in designated spaces and not on roads or grass verges, as this can block access for farm tenants, local residents and emergency services. Thanks for helping to look after the Peak District countryside by taking your litter home and not using barbecues or campfires, which are not permitted.
Total steps: 11
Total steps: 11
Start point
Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ES.
Step 1
From Bowden Bridge car park head towards Kinder Bank on the Kinder Road.
Step 2
Spot the remains of Kinder village in nearby fields. Carry on towards Booth Bridge.
Step 3
Pass Booth Bridge and sheep wash. They were constructed after the valley was flooded to create Kinder Reservoir. The 1932 trespassers would have walked on the road, but we can now use paths either side of the river.
Step 4
Follow a bridleway up the hill at White Brow alongside the reservoir until you reach the Snake Path at the foot of William Clough. Alternatively, take the route skirting along the reservoir enclosure wall to the bridge where there's an information panel.
Step 5
From here, follow the path up William Clough, named after a cutler who worked here. Look for signs of iron smelting underfoot. During the mass trespass the ramblers left the path which was originally higher up the slope and became embroiled in scuffles with gamekeepers and water bailiffs.
Step 6
Continue upwards to Ashop Head, where the Pennine Way joins the path, and turn right. Carry on along the ridge to Sandy Heys. All the way along the plateau admire the views over Yorkshire to the north, Cheshire to the west, Wales beyond. In July and August the landscape is colourful with flowering heather.
Step 7
Marvel at the spectacular rock buttresses and cascading water of the Kinder Downfall. On a clear day, this natural amphitheatre can be visible for many miles.
Step 8
Continue along the Pennine Way to Kinder Low trig point, rising to over 630 metres. We're working to prevent the erosion of peat here by planting cotton grass to hold it in place and limiting water run-off. Below and to your right are Cluther Rocks, where roadside millstones were once quarried.
Step 9
Continue to the flag path, following the route to the left, to Edale Road. Turn right through the gate. Edale Road is an old packhorse route and Edale Cross marks the summit of the road. Continue downhill towards Hayfield.
Step 10
Leave the moorland and walk on a path through fields to the tarmac road at Coldwell Clough. Carry on, keeping the stream on your left.
Step 11
Rejoin the metalled road at Ashes Farm and continue to Bowden Bridge car park.
End point
Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ES
Trail map
More near here
Below Kinder Scout: A circular walk around Kinder reservoir
This 5.2-mile circular walk takes in the tree-lined avenues around Hayfield as well as the heather-covered moors of Kinder Scout and the reservoir.
Edale Circular Walk
This low level walk through the Vale of Edale leads you through vast, open fields as well as parts of the Pennine Way, following streams and stone-flagged paths.
Derwent Valley and reservoir walk
This walk takes you through key Peak District habitats including farmland, alongside the Ladybower Reservoir and up to the moors for panoramic views of the High Peak.
Kinder Scout circular walk
Leave the car behind on this exhilarating walk that starts from Edale train station and takes you high up on the windswept Kinder Plateau. Plan your walk before you leave home, so that your visit is one that is enjoyable and kind to the landscape at the same time.
Get in touch
near Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WA nearest postcode area
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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