Below Kinder Scout: A circular walk around Kinder reservoir
Follow the famous Snake Path through the sheltered tree lined avenues around Hayfield, before gently climbing up to the heather moors surrounding Kinder. Watch out for the surprise view of the reservoir and the dramatic crags of the Dark Peak.
Map
Start:
Bowden Bridge Car Park, grid ref SK048869
1
From the car park turn right and follow the road down towards Hayfield for about 900 metres. You will pass the ‘Sportsman Inn’ pub on the right as you walk along this road. When you reach the green signpost marking the start of the Snake Path turn right onto this public footpath.
The right to roam
The Snake Path was opened in 1897 and was the first in a series of successes for the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society in their mission to win public access to the moors.
2
Follow this footpath round up the hill until you reach an iron kissing gate. Pass through this gate and then over the next stile.
3
Walk through the field and another kissing gate to reach a small copse known locally as Twenty Trees. From here you will have views of Hayfield and beyond. After passing Twenty Trees go through another kissing gate onto National Trust land on the Snake Path. Follow the tracks through the fields – you will go through another two kissing gates.
Twenty Trees?
If you count all the trees in this area you will find that there are only nineteen pine trees. There once were twenty trees, but rumour has it that a young boy from the village cut one down.
4
When you reach the National Trust sign on the heather moorland there should be a white shooting cabin to the left. Take the track to the right signposted Snake Inn and Edale. Where the path forks take the higher left hand track for elevated views as the reservoir comes into sight.
5
Follow the path to William Clough, where a wooden bridge should be visible. Cross the bridge and follow the path to the right going uphill. Go through two gates and after the second gate follow the track to the right. Cross over a stream, and follow the path alongside the wall. Cross a stile and follow the track through a field until you reach a stile in the wire fence. Go over this and then cross over the wooden bridge.
6
Take the track going straight ahead and uphill, which curves round to the right as it leads up towards the pine tree plantations.
7
After the finger post signpost bearing the National Trust logo continue along the same track which will turn left uphill, alongside a walled pine plantation. Follow this until you reach the gate.
8
Following the path downhill through the field towards the trees at the bottom of the valley, cross the stile. Then cross over the stream, taking care on slippery stones, then go over another stile to the right. Follow the track along the woodland edge.
9
The path will eventually start to go downhill leading to a gate. Go through this gate and turn left onto the road. Follow this road for about 1.3km back to the car park.
Booth Sheepwash
You will pass Booth Sheepwash as you walk back towards the car park. This was where sheep were once washed every May, and the sheepwash was built when another was lost during the construction of Kinder reservoir and the flooding of the valley in the early 1900s.
End:
Bowden Bridge Car Park, grid ref SK048869
