Starting from Hayfield, Derbyshire, this Peak District walk visits Kinder Downfall. Starting from the point where the Mass Trespass began, the route uses William Clough to reach the plateau. Descent is via Kinder Low and Edale Cross back to the start.
Calculated time: 5h15[?] 
Distance : 8.41mi
Vertical gain : 1565ft
Vertical drop : 1526ft
Highest point : 2073ft
Lowest point : 722ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Hayfield
Starting point : N 53.37852° / W 1.93029° 
(D/A) This walk starts from the small quarry just outside Hayfield (grid ref SK047868) where the famous Kinder Trespass started. Leaving the car park head north east up the lane to reach the main gates of the Kinder Reservoir. Then take the footpath that climbs along the northern side of the reservoir with a good view of Kinder Downfall across the water.
(1) Soon you reach William Clough, which starts at the end of the reservoir. Keep to the path that follows the stream in this narrowing valley. After a steady climb you reach the paved "Pennine Way" at Ashop Head. Turning right (south east) climb the plateau edge. The climb is steep but on a pitched path and by the time you reach the plateau the uphill work for the day is complete.
(2) Keep to the main path that follows the plateau edge - the walking is easy and the rocky defile of Kinder Downfall is reached quickly. Don't be disappointed if there is little water cascading off the plateau as it is only on rare occasions when there is a dramatic amount of water present. With plenty of shelter behind rocks, it is a good place to linger even on a cold and windy day.
(3) Turn south to follow the edge keeping to the main path, which avoids most of the bad peat groughs. The trig point of Kinder Low is reached and from here it is better to continue past Edale Rocks to reach the col (spot height 533) where the Pennine Way comes up from Edale. Turn right (west) to pass the ancient Edale Cross and head down Oaken Clough.
(4) There are many possible routes back to the quarry but it is best to leave the rather stony track just beyond Stony Ford to take the path that contours across the hillside. Continue past the foot of Kinderlow End and then turn west to Tunstead Clough Farm. From here it is only a short stroll back to the quarry(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 784ft - Quarry
1 : mi 1.54 - alt. 1004ft - William Clough
2 : mi 2.75 - alt. 1867ft - Follow the plateau edge
3 : mi 3.94 - alt. 1952ft - Kinder Downfall - Turn south
4 : mi 6.25 - alt. 1594ft - Stony Ford
D/A : mi 8.41 - alt. 823ft
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.2/5
Number of opinions : 5
Description quality : 4.2/5
Routemap quality : 4.2/5
Walk interest : 4.2/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 06/08/21
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Following this route was easy. We made it to the Downfall in bad weather and the normally trickling stream was a raging torrent. We could not cross it even further up stream so turned back. The path down was now also a fast flowing stream. It was a great experience.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 19/01/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A beautiful walk with amazing views. It's a challenging walk to the plateau but once up there you're rewarded with a constant panoramic view of the valley for the next hour or so. Well worth the effort getting up there.
A couple of words of warning though.
Firstly, there is very limited parking around the area. The pay car park is very small and along with the main road leading to it, fills up quickly. Make sure you set off early!
Be very careful on the ascent of William Clough in cold mornings. Ice on the rocks can make it very slippery and its easy to lose footing on the way up. Stick to treading on smaller sized stones to spread weight and grip rather than large slippery rocks and you'll be fine.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/04/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
We thoroughly enjoyed this walk. The weather was lovely and the views spectacular. A great climb up through the stream running down the hill. Nice walk along the plateau edge, and a gentle walk down Oaken Clough and back over the fields to the start point. Wonderful day.
Lovely walk. The weather was very kind to us and the views were spectacular. Walking up William Clough was quite a challenge but worth it.
Global average : 1.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/11/17
Description quality
: Very disappointing
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Very disappointing
We were not able to do the walk as the path we were supposed to follow was blocked off to the public and we were not able to get near Kinder reservoir.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/09/16
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
enjoyable walk on a lovely day
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
