This Peak District walk starts from Birchen Clough and follows Fair Brook onto the Kinder Scout Plateau. Following the northern edge of the plateau there are good views towards Bleaklow. The final section of the walk follows the Snake Path from Ashop Head back to the start.
Calculated time: 5h00[?] 
Distance : 8.57mi
Vertical gain : 1211ft
Vertical drop : 1214ft
Highest point : 1988ft
Lowest point : 1014ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Hope Woodlands
Starting point : N 53.41975° / W 1.83697° (D/A) The start is the small car park at Birchen Clough on the A57 Snake Road (Grid ref. SK109914). To avoid some walking on this busy road cross over and go through the gate descending through the woods to a stream. Follow this down staying on the east bank to reach the River Ashop. Do not cross the footbridge on your right and instead turn left on the clear path, which climbs to reach the main road. Turn right towards Sheffield past the Snake Inn and take the first signed footpath on the right. This leads down to a footbridge over the River Ashop (Grid ref. SK114902).
(1) Cross the bridge and follow the river downstream before turning right at the first brook. This is Fair Brook. Follow this upstream staying on the west side for the climb onto the Plateau. Near the top your clamber through rocks to reach the edge path. Turn right to reach Fairbrook Naze, which looks like a ship's prow from the valley.
(2) Stay on the edge path with good views to your right. Away to your left are the peat hags that make Kinder so infamous! Generally the path is fairly dry although there are some unavoidable sections that can be wet and boggy after rain. As you continue along the edge, heading almost due west, you will pass some interesting weathered millstone grit rock features including the "Boxing Gloves".
(3) After about two miles (which in fact seems much longer) you reach the Pennine Way at the top of Ashop Head. Turn right and descend steeply over a flagged path to Ashop Head. At the cross path (Grid ref. 063902) turn right. This is the Snake Path, which leads you back to the start. In places it can again be boggy although most of the worst sections have now been paved. Entering the woods (grid ref. 102907) keep on the lower path that runs parallel to the River Ashop. Cross the footbridge and turn left. You have now rejoined the outward route and all you need do is retrace your steps back to the parking area(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 1240ft - Car park at Birchen Clough
1 : mi 1.09 - alt. 1043ft - Turn right and cross the footbridge
2 : mi 3.04 - alt. 1965ft - Fairbrook Naze
3 : mi 4.8 - alt. 1939ft - Reach the Pennine Way
D/A : mi 8.57 - alt. 1237ft
This walk tackles the interesting route up Fair Brook to gain the Kinder Plateau then follows the northern edge to reach Ashop Head. The return is via the Snake Path with open views of the outward route. Despite venturing onto the Kinder Plateau it avoids many of the problems of the peat hags and is suitable for most times of the year. It also avoids complicated compass work as for most of the route you have clear landmarks although around Ashop Head a good sense of direction is required in periods of poor visibility.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 5/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 5/5
Routemap quality : 5/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 06/07/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Fantastic walk up one of the northern valleys on Kinder. Fair warning, I went after a few days of rain, which made it even more spectacular as it further emphasised the many waterfalls on this hike, however, the walk back via Ashop was very very boggy.
9.66mi
+1168ft
-1138ft
5h30
Average
Starting point in Hope Woodlands - Derbyshire Bleaklow offers some excellent walks and this Peak District route used minor paths to explore Higher Shelf Stones, Bleaklow and Grains in the Water.
8.44mi
+1296ft
-1286ft
5h00
Average
Starting point in Hope Woodlands - Derbyshire This Peak District walk on the quieter side of Kinder Scout provides the basis for a great day outdoors.The outward route takes you onto the plateau crossing wild moorland. Once Kinder Downfall is reached you can enjoy a downhill walk in some of the best scenry in this part of the National Park.
6.5mi
+1178ft
-1191ft
4h00
Average
Starting point in Hope Woodlands - Derbyshire This Peak District walk comes with a warning as it's not suitable for those who don't like scrambling along the side of vertical banks or who are not happy crossing streams. It is undoubtedly easier to do the walk by going up Blackden Brook - rather than coming down it - and it is easier in good, dry weather. The reward is some great views!
7.5mi
+1424ft
-1404ft
4h40
Average
Starting point in Edale - Derbyshire A Peak District walk that explores the eastern end of the Kinder plateau. Starting from Edale the route follows the slopes of Kinder to reach Hope Cross. From here the walk continues to gain height and follows a high level route for the return via Ringing Roger to Edale.
7.81mi
+1503ft
-1506ft
4h55
Average
Starting point in Edale - Derbyshire Grindsbrook and Edale Head are two of the highlights of this Peak District walk from Edale. Superb walking high above Edale on the Kinder Scout Plateau provides excellent views over this part of Derbyshire. Choose a good day for this route as poor weather makes navigation tricky.
9.64mi
+1683ft
-1686ft
5h55
Difficult
Starting point in Edale - Derbyshire This Peak District walk starts from Edale and explores Rushup Edge, Brown Knoll, Edale Cross, Crowden Tower and Grindslow Knoll. The route contains many of the key features of this dramatic part of the Derbyshire Peak district and should be saved for a fine day.
8.55mi
+1519ft
-1545ft
5h15
Average
Starting point in Edale - Derbyshire This ridge walk is a very popular excursion mainly because of the excellent views.
9.16mi
+1719ft
-1719ft
5h45
Average
Starting point in Edale - Derbyshire This Peak District walk starts from Edale village and climbs onto Kinder Scout via Ringing Roger. The route provides rough moorland walking on relatively quiet paths and includes Upper Grindsbrook, Crowden Brook and Edale Cross before descending Jacob's Ladder on the return to Edale.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
