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Nether Red Brook, The Edge & Fairbrook Naze from near Snake Inn

Start/Finish

A57, Snake Pass, not far below the Snake Inn. Below the inn are three lay bys within about 400 m. The path starts between the second and third one. Coming from Ladybower, it is probably easier to go to the Snake Inn and turn round. At busy times, these lay bys will soon fill up as they only hold about eight cars in total so you may have to look further afield for somewhere to park.

Distance/Time

8 km    About 3 – 4 hours

Peaks

No peaks as such but the highest point is about 600 m.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak

Introduction

This route uses a little known path below the northern edge of Kinder (in places known as “The Edge”) to reach Nether Red Brook which is ascended before following the edge path back along the northern edge then descending Fairbrook Naze. The path below the edge can be quite faint in places. Nether Red Brook can hold for some time after significant snowfall.

Route

(1) Take the path on the right, W, of the road about 300 m below the Snake Inn. On 14/11/18, the stile was broken so some may find getting over a little awkward. More significantly, the forestry between the A57 and the bridge has been felled and one must cross felling debris. The bridge is just to the left of the obvious cliff seen from the road. Walk down the path (steps) and keep below the road before making the shortest crossing of the felled area to the bridge above the deep cut River Ashop. Locate the gate which is by the bridge. Cross over, slippery when wet, then turn left, by the sign, and follow the path, to and then by the wall, to the foot of Fair Brook where there is another sign. Turn right here and strike uphill on a moderately steep path. The angle soon eases and then the grass gives way to heather. Stay with the heather path/track as it winds around before reaching a grouse butt (Number 10). Continue, with the edge high above on the left to reach what might be the remains of an old stone hut. After here, the path becomes much fainter for some distance but the ground, although rough, is not too difficult. Cross the fence by a stile just before the very prominent Nether Red Brook. Pick a way to the gully and descend carefully to the brook. Follow it up, more easily on the right. If the rocks in the brook are wet, one can leave the brook and pick a way up steepish grassy slopes to the right of the stream.

(2) From the top of Nether Red Brook walk along The Edge to reach Fairbrook Naze where a prominent small rock with a small base and a wider top should be fairly obvious. Follow the path as it weaves its way down the nose and avoids all rocky difficulties. Once the last of the rocks is passed, reach a stile and continue down. When the path becomes more level, follow it across the open moor. It can be boggy in places as it crosses grass and heather. Eventually it meets a grassy track which leads, fairly steeply, down to the foot of Fair Brook to rejoin the outward route back over the bridge.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 14^th March, 2018.