The village of Hayfield lies to the west of the highest land in the Peak District Park and this walk which lies wholly within Derbyshire offers some excellent walking. The outward route over Mount Famine offers good views and once Edale Cross is reached you are on the high moors. The return to Hayfield is full of interest too.
Calculated time: 4h35[?] 
Distance : 7.78mi
Vertical gain : 1184ft
Vertical drop : 1184ft
Highest point : 1824ft
Lowest point : 640ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Hayfield
Starting point : N 53.37918° / W 1.94856° (D/A)Leave Hayfield car park and take the steps which lead you under the by-pass. You will pass the Kinder Mountain Rescue Teams Hut on left. Go straight on to the road in front of The George Hotel.(1)
Turn right on this road then first left only to bear to the right up Highgate Road, which is marked and named on the OS 1:25000 map. Keep on this narrow road as it climbs steadily providing views to the left of Kinder and the Downfall. Soon after passing a footpath sign on the left take the green path straight on. This joins a bridleway. Continue along this bridleway between stone walls until you reach the gate at its end.(2)
Go through the gate with Mount Famine on you left and continue straight on up the field following the footpath. You will then come to a further gate and a sign stating natural details of the area. Keep straight on. The hill on you right is South Head which is worth the climb as it offers good views. and it is worth climbing for the views, although take care that you don't go too far over and miss your turning. Just at the highest point on this path there is a footpath sign to your left, take the unsigned footpath straight on - not the bridleway that heads right.(3)
This pleasant path crosses the moor with further views of Kinder and in the valley the source of the River Sett. You will not get lost if you keep the fence close to you right. Away to your right is Brown Knoll, the summit of which is ignored by the path as it turns north to reach a bridleway. Turning right takes you to Edale via Jacob's Ladder while the path going straight on takes you up on to Kinder passing Edale Rocks on the way. We are turning left onto the bridleway, which climbs up before descending to pass Edale Cross on your right. This cross was first erected by the Cistercian Abbots of Besingweal Abbey, Holywell, North Wales to mark the boundary of the land they owned.(4)
Stay on the bridleway which descends and exits onto a road. Keeping straight on, the River Sett tumbles its way down and you cross it at several points until you and the Sett reach the River Kinder. Stay on the road to the bridge where there are some public toilets. Do not cross over the bridge but take the road to the camp site passing to the right of the camp site entrance building. Follow this footpath with the river on your right to reach a road and the centre of Hayfield.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 640ft - Start: Hayfield car park
1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 659ft - George Hotel
2 : mi 1.67 - alt. 1266ft - End of bridleway: continue through gate
3 : mi 2.42 - alt. 1486ft - Take unsigned path straight on
4 : mi 4.23 - alt. 1759ft - Turn left toward Edale Cross
D/A : mi 7.78 - alt. 640ft - Finish: Hayfield car park
This walk visits the more remote areas to the east of Hayfield, includes good views and a safe crossing over the moors. The walk can be extended to include the Kinder Edges. The start is in the Hayfield Car Park (grid ref. SK036869) where a fee is payable.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.5/5
Number of opinions : 4
Description quality : 3.75/5
Routemap quality : 4.75/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/10/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Clear directions that were easy to follow on an interesting circular walk that offered new views over familiar features and landmarks. As always, on the higher peaks, it is important to have a decent map but, assuming this is the case, there should be no problem following this worthwhile route.
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/06/20
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Very enjoyable walk. Helped by fantastic weather. Great views on the top across Kinder. Walk back along the river particularly picturesque.
Route description needs to be used with the map as it is not very clear in places. It would benefit from distances/timing.
Thank you for your feedback. If you have any suggestions of how we an improve the walk description, please let us know, and we will make the necessary changes 
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 18/02/18
Description quality
: Disappointing
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
A lovely walk. Not usually quiet but is quite remote so best to have a proper map etc, in case the weather closes in. Current route description is inadequate and confusing in places.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 29/09/17
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A fine walk (15km to Hayfield and back) and worth the short detour to Brown Knoll
8.41mi
+1565ft
-1526ft
5h15
Average
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8.45mi
+1480ft
-1473ft
5h10
Average
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3.2mi
+397ft
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1h50
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7.86mi
+1109ft
-1093ft
4h35
Average
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9.77mi
+1480ft
-1158ft
5h45
Difficult
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6.77mi
+1201ft
-1201ft
4h10
Average
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6.58mi
+1060ft
-1056ft
3h55
Average
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5.15mi
+659ft
-666ft
2h55
Average
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