Get Lost Mountaineering

The Edge & Fairbrook Naze via Snake Path 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

12 km    About 4 – 5 hours

Peaks

No peaks as such but the highest point is about 600 m on the edge of Kinder

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak

Introduction

This route follows the River Ashop and Snake Path (very marshy higher up) to the col between Kinder and Mill Hill then follows the northern edge of Kinder to Fairbrook Naze before descending down its nose back to the start. Note that the short section of forest from the start to the bridge over the River Ashop was cleared during 2018. This has opened up the view but the path crosses some felling debris for a short distance.

Route

(1) Take the path on the right, W, of the road about 300 m below the Snake Inn. Walk down the path (steps) and continue by the wall below the road until a small mound is reached. Go right here and head directly for the River Ashop which is protected by a fence. Locate the gate which is by the bridge. Cross over, slippery when wet, then turn right, by the sign, ascending a few metres, to reach an obvious path which follows the River Ashop, upstream, on its S side. The path climbs in places but is nowhere steep although it has steep drops in places to the river. Cross the obvious Urchin Clough then continue. The path on this side is well above the Snake Path on the opposite side of the river. Eventually, the path reaches an open footbridge. Cross over – not easy when windy or the bridge is wet – to reach a ruin by the bridge. Go directly uphill for a few metres to reach the Snake Path and continue upstream. Across the river are two prominent cloughs. The first is Nether Red Brook and the second is Upper Red Brook. Soon after, the path deteriorates and becomes quite marshy in places, slowing progress. Eventually the path starts climbing and becomes slabbed to reach the sign post on the Pennine Way between Mill Hill and Kinder. Turn left and follow the Pennine Way which soon climbs up steep steps towards the edge of the plateau. Reach a large cairn where a fainter path goes left to a stile.

(2) Follow this path which heads along the northern edge, gradually gaining height to reach the top of the steep slopes dropping to the N. There is a broader path a bit higher up but the two paths meet further on anyway. Continue along the northern edge, passing several outcrops. The most well known of these is known as the Boxing Gloves. Continue along the edge crossing the top of Upper Red Brook then Nether Red Brook and continue 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 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 15^th January, 2019.