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 High Peak.
Start point
Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ESTrail information
Plan ahead
Popular spots like Kinder and Edale are getting extremely busy, especially at weekends, Bank Holidays and during the school holidays. Many car parks fill up very quickly by 9am, so do plan ahead before leaving home. 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. Barbecues and campfires are not permitted.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ES
Stage 1
If you're starting your walk at Hayfield Bus Station, first cross over Station Road, then use the crossing point to cross over Chapel Road. Walk straight on to reach Walk Mill Road, then walk along this road until you can turn left onto Church Street. Turn right onto Bank Street after crossing a bridge. At the end of Bank Street turn right onto Kinder Road, and stay left when the road forks. Continue along Kinder Road. You will reach the start of the Snake Path on the left signposted as a public footpath, so you might prefer to start the walk from here.
Stage 2
Follow this footpath round and up the hill until you reach an iron kissing gate. Pass through this gate and then over the next stile.
Stage 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 and the Snake Path. Follow the tracks through the fields – you will go through another two kissing gates.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 6
Take the track going straight ahead and uphill, which curves round to the right as it leads up towards the pine tree plantations.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
End point
Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ES
Trail map
Kinder reservoir circular walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Kinder Scout mass trespass walk
Follow in the footsteps of the 500+ mass trespassers who, in 1932, walked from Hayfield to Kinder Scout in the Derbyshire Peak District to secure access rights to the countryside for all.
Edale Circular Walk
This low level walk through the Vale of Edale leads you through vast, open fields as well as parts of the Pennine Way, following streams and stone-flagged paths.
Derwent Valley and reservoir walk
This walk takes you through key Peak District habitats including farmland, alongside the Ladybower Reservoir and up to the moors for panoramic views of the High Peak.
Kinder Scout circular walk
Leave the car behind on this exhilarating walk that starts from Edale train station and takes you high up on the windswept Kinder Plateau. Plan your walk before you leave home, so that your visit is one that is enjoyable and kind to the landscape at the same time.
Get in touch
near Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WA nearest postcode area
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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