Peak District Walk
Kinder Downfall from Hayfield
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This walk starts from the small quarry just outside Hayfield (grid ref SK047868) where the famous Kinder Trespass started (See walk 1174). Leaving the car park head north east up the lane to reach the main gates of the Kinder Reservoir. Then take the footpath that climbs along the northern side of the reservoir with a good view of Kinder Downfall across the water.
Soon you reach William Clough, which starts at the end of the reservoir. Keep to the path that follows the stream in this narrowing valley. After a steady climb you reach the paved "Pennine Way" at Ashop Head. Turning right (south east) climb the plateau edge. The climb is steep but on a pitched path and by the time you reach the plateau the uphill work for the day is complete.
Keep to the main path that follows the plateau edge - the walking is easy and the rocky defile of Kinder Downfall is reached quickly. Don't be disappointed if there is little water cascading off the plateau as it is only on rare occasions when there is a dramatic amount of water present. With plenty of shelter behind rocks, it is a good place to linger even on a cold and windy day.
Turn south to follow the edge keeping to the main path, which avoids most of the bad peat groughs. The trig point of Kinder Low is reached and from here it is better to continue past Edale Rocks to reach the col (spot height 533) where the Pennine Way comes up from Edale. Turn right (west) to pass the ancient Edale Cross and head down Oaken Clough.
There are many possible routes back to the quarry but it is best to leave the rather stony track just beyond Stony Ford to take the path that contours across the hillside. Continue past the foot of Kinderlow End and then turn west to Tunstead Clough Farm. From here it is only a short stroll back to the quarry.
Go to full list of Peak District Walks
Maps 
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL1 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY MAP |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL1 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY MAP |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 110 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY MAP |
| Anquet OS Landranger 110 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY MAP |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k.
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OS Map showing start
Ordnance Survey Map showing starting point of walk - Click Here
GPX File
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Recommended Reading
Dark Peak Walks
Guidebook to 40 walks in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. 35 circular routes for most abilities, from 8km to 19km, around Edale, Marsden, Fairholmes, Baslow and Castleton, including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor, and 5 longer (25km to 45km) routes highlighting the best of the Gritstone Edges, High Moorland and Deep Valleys.
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