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Seal Stones, Seal 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 4 hours.

Peaks

No peaks as such but the highest point on Fairbrook Naze is about 619 m and is just above the path on the top of the Naze. If you stick to the path you will reach a height of just over 600 m.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak

Introduction

This is a short walk ideal for a nice winter's day so long as there is no deep snow. It follows paths almost all the way although these can be muddy in places. The foot of Fair Brook has to be crossed and this will be awkward after rain. The descent of Fairbrook Naze looks dauting but a good path weaves around all the rocky difficulties. On a clear day, there are fine views over to Higher Shelf Stones and Bleaklow.

Route

(1) Take the path on the right, W, of the road about 300 m below the Snake Inn. On 17/11/17, the stile was broken so some may find getting over a little awkward. Walk down the path (steps) and continue past the sign for the Snake Inn. Soon after, you may see a small “board” bridge. Go right here to reach the fence 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. Cross Fair Brook just to the left of where the track starts on the opposite bank. The “stepping stones” are often loose and slippery. Once across, go to the left and pass through the gates to gain the track proper which starts slanting uphill. Follow this up until one is looking down Gate Side Clough, on the left. Further on, a path leaves the track and shadows the clough upwards, crossing a small bridge over a side gully. Continue up on the fairly obvious path to reach the Seal Stones – the first obvious outcrop met. The two largest stones seem to resemble seals if one applies some imagination! Just above is a fence which is crossed by a stile. Continue up to reach the obvious edge path but cross it and continue up to another outcrop which has a “shelter” built into it.

(2) Head W from the outcrop on a faint path. Follow this. Various outcrops are passed and one eventually joins the main edge path. Follow this NW, W then SW to cross Fair Brook quite high up. Make a rising traverse, N, on the main edge path until the outcrops on Fairbrook Naze are reached. When the edge path turns W by a large low falt boulder, follow a faint path going straight ahead. Almost immediately, a pillar will be seen ahead and below which resembles an upside down cone. 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 20^th February, 2018.