Walking Britain Peak District Walk
Kinder Downfall from Hayfield
Walk Route Description
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This Peak District 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.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL1 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL1 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 110 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 110 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
Pennine Way Map Booklet
Map 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
The Pennine Way
Guidebook to the Pennine Way National Trail with OS map booklet. The 265 mile route from Edale to Kirk Yetholm takes three weeks to walk and is suitable for fit and experienced long distance walkers. The route crosses the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines National Parks. Includes separate OS 1:25,000 map booklet of the route.
More information
The National Trails
This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
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