Edale – Kinder Plateau – Edale

Click on the pictures to see enlargements.

This was a very pleasant but demanding (at least for me) eight miles circular walk, starting at the village of Grindsbrook Booth in the Edale Valley and taking in the Kinder Plateau with a return via Jacobs Ladder. It was also Connor's second walk of this length and he was looking forward to it eagerly.

After parking the car in the car park at the other end of the village (grid ref: SK124 853), Connor and I walked to The Old Nags Head Inn, that is the official start of the Pennine Way long distance walk. Grid ref:SK122 859.

After walking a short way along the road at the side of The Old Nags Head Inn, we came to a gate in the fence on the right that took us to this footbridge over Grinds Brook.


Upon crossing the footbridge the path becomes paved as it ascends towards the woods in the distance.


Just before entering the woods, a quick glance back gives this lovely view of the Edale Valley, with Mam Tor on the far horizon.


Upon exiting the woods the path takes us over Grinds Brook again via this footbridge.


The path now begins its climb up Grindsbrook Clough, which at this point has an easily navigated gravel surface.


It's not long though before the path becomes increasingly rocky as it zig zags its way upwards.


At this point Grinds Brook is in good flow at the side of the path.


In spite of the increasing toughness of the ascent up Grindsbrook Clough, it has a great attraction for many walkers.


This a a view of your intrepid author as he wends his way ever upwards.


Only another 200 yards to the top (grid ref: SK105 872), but Connor finds it a bit of a scramble.


Reaching the top of Grindsbrook Clough at last, the path then takes us to Crowden Tower (grid ref: SK095 872) where we find this walker enjoying his lunch and the fine view down Crowden Clough.


At this point we leave the path that would take us over the Kinder Plateau to the Kinder Downfall, and instead follow the path that keeps to the edge of the plateau and passes amongst many large rocks collectively known as the Woolpacks. Grid ref: SK091 869.


These rocks have been carved by wind and rain over many hundreds of years into many interesting shapes. The walker in the picture gives a sense of scale.


When I said I would like a dog, I didn't mean one quite this size.


As the path takes us past Noe Stool (grid ref: SK083 869) we get our first glimpse of our homeward path as its descends back into the Edale Valley.


Eventually the path joins the Pennine Way at grid ref: SK079 864 just before reachng the top of Jacobs Ladder, the former pack horse route out of the Edale Valley. Time for a short break and a cup of tea before making our way down.


A view of the Pennie Way as it reaches the Kinder Plateau at the beginning of its 268ml trek northwards to the Scottish border. This uphill section, called Jacob’s Ladder, is part of an old pack horse route from Edale to Glossop. 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. “Jacob’s Ladder” refers to 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.


Eventually the path becomes paved, though years of wind and rain have made it a little uneven.


Eventually we reach the bottom of Jacobs Ladder, where a glance back gives us a view of the infant River Noe. Grid ref: SK088 861.


Shortly afterwards we cross this stile.


This part of our downward stroll is a visual delight as we begin to reach the pasture land of the Edale Valley.


As we passed by Lee House (grid ref: SK096 855) we came upon these interesting carvings at the side of the path. Connor is the one on the left.


Just before reaching Upper Booth (grid ref: SK102 853) I took this picture of the Edale Valley. The large hill on the left on the skyline is Mam Tor, separated from Rushup Edge on the right by the cleft of Mam Nick.


Continuing to follow the Pennine Way we eventually find our way back to Grindsbrook Booth, where we slaked our respective thirsts with a drink in The Old Nags Head Inn. Then it was back to the car and off home for a well earned evening meal.