Scrambling and Hiking, Kinder South

Route: The Cloughs and Crowden Clough

Meet at: Car park near railway bridge between Barber Booth and Upper Booth. OS map reference SK107847. Head for the village of Hope on the A6187. In Hope turn right (if coming from Sheffield or left if coming from the West) opposite the church and follow the road to Edale. Continue past Edale for approx. 2km, cross a bridge over a stream then turn right immediately. Follow the road under a bridge then slightly uphill for approx. 300 metres to the parking area on the left side. The car park fills up quickly so we highly recommend going by train. Edale station is 20 minutes walk away and is well served by trains from Sheffield and Manchester and points in between.

This exciting scrambling outing provides a great way of avoiding the crowds only a short distance from some of the busiest paths on the ever popular Southern flanks of Kinder Scout.

With a height gain of well over 200 metres, The Cloughs is one of the longest scrambles in the Peak District. The route includes a number of interesting cascades and waterfall pitches of varying degrees of difficulty but all avoidable, followed by a long delightful stretch of nice clean rock.

Crowden Clough will be our descent route for this one. It is the finest Grade 1 scramble in the Peak District. The rock is nice and clean while the scrambling is pleasant and interesting and easy enough to make it an amenable way down for beginners. There are also a couple of optional harder pitches, a chimney and a waterfall, which more experienced scramblers will definitely enjoy, especially in reverse!

The full day will include a scenic hike through Upper Booth and up the lower reaches of the Jacob’s Ladder path, a Grade 1/2 scrambling ascent of Kinder Scout via The Cloughs, a hike along the Southern Edge of the summit plateau taking in the huge outcrop of Pym Chair which offers further opportunity for hands on rock fun including an optional short Grade 3 scramble, then on to a Grade 1 scrambling descent of Crowden Clough and a stroll along the river bank and through some woods before returning to the car park.

Photos of some of our previous outings to The Cloughs and Crowden Clough can be seen here:

https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/30777823/

https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/30262214/

Difficulty: Grade 1/2 scrambling (between Grade 1 and 2), suitable for adventurous beginners. For more information on scrambling grades see:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades

Experience Required: Some previous hillwalking/hiking experience would be beneficial.

Duration: Approx. 9 km with height gain of approx. 350 metres. Estimated time 4 to 6 hours.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.