logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

The Kinder Edges from Edale

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Kinder Scout Edale

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Jake Robertson

Length - 18.0 miles / 29.3 km    Ascent - 3400 feet / 1030 metres

Time - 12 hours 20 minutes    Grade - mod/hard

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL1Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL1Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 110Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 110Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - The Kinder Edges
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.

This is one of the classic Peak District walks in the 'Dark Peak', a complete traverse of Kinder's edges. When I did the walk with friends I took 9 ½ hours, ambling at a slow pace to stop and experience the endless delights of the edges. To cap it all off we stopped for tea on the summit, arriving down at Edale covered in peat - a glorious day!

The start of the walk is the main car park in Edale (Grid ref. SK124853) , though one can join the route from a variety of other places.

Leave the car park and head up the road to the post office. Go left with the Pennine Way through the woods until you can fork up the fields to a gate at the foot of Grindslow Knoll. It is a long slog up to the summit but now at least some of the climbing is done. Head NW along Fox Holes to the cairn at the head of Grindsbrook, joining the edges path. Go on, add a stone to it?

I prefer to walk anti-clockwise, saving the busiest parts until last when they should have become quieter. Go north, skirting Grindsbrook Ravine then follow the path east along the edge. Nearing Ringing Roger there is a super view of Grindslow Knoll but the path skirts the summit. The path is clear around Ollerbrook but when there is a fork take the lower path to avoid the Druid's Stone. It is easy going, slightly downhill to the 521m summit of Crookstone Knoll (Grid ref. SK 144883).

The next few hours will be spent on the long northern edge and is the finest part of the walk. From Crookstone Knoll the path becomes indistinct so aim for Madwoman's Stones then by heading NW the edge path will be easily picked up. At first, Blackden Edge is broad and uninteresting but it becomes increasingly dramatic, the path hugs the edge of the massive 500 to 600ft drop into Blackden Clough. After crossing the head, Seal Stones are rounded.

Seal Edge is certainly no less dramatic and shortly after the Chinese Wall, the head of Fairbrook needs to be crossed. Either detour into the plateau or take one of the numerous trods down the small ravine and make the easy scramble out again. The path resumes round to the Pedestal on Fairbrook Naze. To the west, Black Ashop Edge stretches out.

In my opinion, the next two miles along Black Ashop Edge is the finest walk in the Peak District. Sheer 60ft cliffs atop a 600ft sweep down to the Ashop Valley with simply unbelievable views, this a drama to be savoured. The 2050ft summit of The Edge is undoubtedly the highlight of the walk. Sadly, all good things come to an end and reaching the Pennine Way the route swings SE along the edge towards the Kinder Downfall.

Passing the Kinder Downfall, remain with the Pennine Way to the OS column atop Kinder Low. The normal route goes down to Swine's Back then turns left to Noe Stool and The Pagoda. However if you wish, a worthwhile alternative to visit The Peak, Kinder Scout's summit. Take a compass bearing on the 636m spot height and make your way through the wet bogs, arriving with luck at a cairn and stake. This the highest ground in the Peak District and a summit all too fitting to Kinder's boggy nature!

Follow the Pennine Way past Edale Rock. Then bear sharp right along the edge path to Noe Stool and Edale Head. If you have visited the summit then you will rejoin the main path here. Pass Pym Chair and the Pagoda, following the main route. Go east through the weathered Woolpacks to the top of Crowden Tower then down to cross Crowden Brook. An quick walk sees you back at the cairn at Grindsbrook Head. Now simply return to the summit of Grindslow Knoll and descend the same way you ascended, dropping down to Edale. Now, what was that about a pint in the Nag's Head?

Other walks nearby

Walk 2522 Rushup Edge & Edale from Mam Nickmoderate7.0 miles
Walk 1368 Mam Tor, Upper Booth & Rushup Edgemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 1831 Mam Tor & Hollins Cross from Mam Nick easy3.0 miles
Walk 1688 Old Dam & Sparrowpit from Mam Nick moderate9.0 miles
Walk 1087 Mam Tor & Cave Dalemoderate6.5 miles
Walk 1519 Catleton & Speedwell Cavern Circulareasy4.3 miles
Walk 1521 Cave Dale and Winnats Passeasy4.5 miles
Walk 1665 Hollins Cross & Lose Hill easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 3426 Lose Hill & Hollins Cross easy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 1489 Blackden Brook, Kinder & Upper Ashopmoderate6.8 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the Peak District - White Peak East

Walking in the Peak District - White Peak EastGuidebook describing 42 half-day and day walks in the limestone landscapes of Derbyshire's White Peak, part of the Peak District National Park. One of two volumes, this book covers the east of the region, with potential bases including Bakewell, Eyam, Castleton, Birchover, Matlock and Wirksworth.
More information

Pennine Way Map Booklet

Pennine Way Map BookletMap of the 270 miles (435km) Pennine Way National Trail, between Edale in the Peak District and Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail, and shows the full route on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps. This popular long-distance route typically takes three weeks to complete.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.