| The trek starts at Hayfield a small picturesque
village located on the very edge of the Peak District
and just 30 minutes from the bustling city of Manchester.
If you follow the signs to Bowden Bridge from Hayfield
you will eventually come to the quarry at Bowden Bridge.
It is now a car park, but there is a great little plaque
on the wall making sure the memories of those involved
in the trespass are still thought of by visitors.
From the quarry car park turn left down the small country
lane along side the river. Follow the lane left and
slightly upwards past the cottage on the right. You
will eventually get to the bridge that goes right over
the river at the old sheep baths. Cross the bridge then
take the path left along side the river and through
the wooded area. You will eventually come to another
bridge which crosses left back over the river. The path
will then go right and head up a steep cobbled path,
which can be very tricky in the winter.
Mass Trespass Plaque
|
River Kinder
|
You will eventually end up at the same height as the
reservoirs water level. At this point follow the path
down the side of the reservoir. From this path you can
look up towards the edge of the Kinder Plateau and seethe
majority of your trek to come. The path eventually turns
left into an inlet off the reservoir. You'll then come
to the small wooden footbridge at the end of the inlet,
this is also the beginning of William Clough.
Do not walk over the bridge and instead carry on up
through the green and purple heather valley of William
Clough. The path is fairly clear at first and not too
steep, following the fast flowing stream up the hill.
As the path gets higher the ascent does get a little
harder and the path which isn't managed that well tends
to turn into streams at some points.
Cobbled Reservoir Path
|
Kinder Reservoir
|
The final ascent at the top of William Clough is quite
difficult as the path turns less and less obvious and
the steps become much larger. Eventually the path turns
into actual stone slab steps and then levels off at
the top as it joins the Pennine Way. As the path reaches
the top take the steep path up right onto the edge of
the plateau, this will be the last difficult climb of
the day.
Once on top of the plateau you now need to simply keep
to the path which follows round the edge of the plateau.
The first thing you will almost immediately come across
is the strange shaped rocks on the edge near your ascent,
these are great for pictures. From these rocks you can
look out at the fantastic panoramic view which stretches
from Wales in the far distance on the left all the way
round over the Mersey Estuary then over the city of
Manchester round to the North Pennines. Some things
that you will most probably see on a sunny day are Joddrell
Bank, Fiddlers Ferry, City of Manchester Stadium and
on a really good day you may even see as far as Liverpool's
tower and cathedral.
William Clough
|
Weathered Rocks
|
Moving on round the edge of the plateau you will pass
many amazing rock formations. At the point where the
path turns sharp left if you look to the right here
you will see some bizarre needle like rocks that look
as though someone has placed them around like a stone
circle.
The path does now head inwards towards the Kinder Downfall.
On the way towards this you will come across some huge
rocks that will capture you as you pass them, there
is also a small crevasse to the left at the rocks which
looks like something out of a star trek movie and a
great shelter in bad weather or when wanting to eat.
Eventually you will come across Kinder Downfall. One
of the best views of the downfall is from the edge about
200 yards before you get to the actual downfall area.
The waterfall is famous for the way it can surge upwards
in the prominent westerly wind that it faces. In mid
summer the waterfall can often be bone dry and in winter
can be a real downfall.
Kinder Downfall
|
Kinder Low
|
After the downfall follow the path again round the
edge of the plateau. The path is very similar to the
walk round to the downfall. Eventually after a mile
or so the path will go left and head into the boggy
area. You will eventually see the landscape turn into
what looks like a NASA feedback picture from the moon.
The landscape up here is so unique that you will never
have experienced such a place, the mix of the black
peat and the white once sea rocks that blow around in
the wind, creates an amazing atmosphere. You will see
the trig point cairn from here.
Leave the cairn and follow a not very clear path south
towards Edale Rocks. The strange fringe of rocks should
be on your left as you pass them. Keep following the
path south and if you loose the path simply keep heading
south and you'll find it eventually, remember the path
is actually part of the Pennine Way here so it is laid
quite well but when its laid through tall grasses is
not always easy to find. Eventually you will get to
a very rough track which you need to turn right at when
you reach it. You will pass the medieval Edale Cross
on the right as you head down hill down the rough track
and into Oaken Clough.
Edale Rocks
|
Old Bowden Bridge
|
After descending the rough track through several gates
and fields you will get back to a small road at Coldwell
Clough where the small streams goes underneath the road
through a gorgeous little bridge. Pass the house on
the right and round the bend. This road will now follow
down the valley back into Bowden Bridge. Just before
the road turns left into Bowden Bridge you will be able
to see the original Bowden Bridge. Cross the river and
your back at the quarry car park. |
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Duration
: 5 Hrs
