Grid ref: SK088863
Packhorses
Today a section of the Pennine Way, the route which includes Jacob's Ladder was once one of many packhorse routes crossing the rugged hills of the Dark Peak. Since medieval times and until the railways arrived, the packhorse 'trains' were the only way of moving goods across this rough ground. Loads would have included lead, wool, coal and salt. The packhorses were mainly of the Galloway or the German Jaeger variety; and the pony men became known as 'jaggers', after their horses. The loads were carried in two panniers either side of the pony, supported by a special saddle or 'crook'. At times there could have been 40 or 50 in a single train, their bells jangling as they swayed from side to side on their descent into the valley. There are three or four routes up the hillside at Jacob's Ladder. One is the present footpath, the other the bridleway, but between the two can be seen more zigzagging tracks.
Jacob Marshall
The ruined building at Edale Head was once the home of Jacob Marshall who lived and farmed there during the latter half of the 1700s . He is reputed to have cut a rough stepped path from the Packhorse bridge to the top, allowing the jagger men a short rest, whilst waiting for their charges to catch up. Although the bridleway is longer, it is a much easier route; anyone attempting the path would need a rest at the top! The farmhouse no doubt provided a convenient night stop before crossing the edges of Kinder. Above Jacob's Ladder the packhorse route gradually ascends to the lowest point on the skyline between Brown Knoll and Swines Back. The summit of the route is guarded by Edale Cross, an ancient monument once marking the boundary of the land given to the Abbey of Basingwerke near Holywell, Flintshire, in 1157. It is also known as Champion Cross and stands near the point where the three old Forest wards of Champayne, Hopedale and Longdendale met. The cross was not only a boundary stone but one of a number of guide posts on the packhorse route.
One step at a time
The stone pitched footpath which climbs to the top of Jacob's Ladder has been built in stages, the first section was completed in 1987 and was constructed by workers on a government training scheme. The majority of the stones were hand winched from the river below, some weighing up to half a tonne. At the same time the huge footpath erosion scar to the left of the path was fenced and allowed to recover. The top section of path was built more recently by the High Peak Estate's skilled footpath repair team, using gritstone boulders airlifted by helicopter. Even Jacob Marshall would have approved of the new path.
How to get there
There is car parking at either Barber Booth (The Tips) or Edale village.
Train to Edale station.
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