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Barren moorland hills bathed in the warm glow of a sunrise or sunset with a path leading into the distance from the right-hand side of the image.
Edale Cross | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
The Peak District & Derbyshire

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

Map of the Edale and Kinder Scout mass trespass walk
The Hayfield to Kinder Scout mass trespass walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Get in touch

near Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WA nearest postcode area

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