Get Lost Mountaineering

Mill Hill, Kinder Edge, Kinder Downfall & Kinder Low

from top of Snake Pass

Start/Finish

The top of the Snake Pass, the A57 between Sheffield and Glossop where there is usually plenty of verge parking.

Distance/Time

17 km.     About 5 – 6 hours.

Peaks

Mill Hill, 544 m, SK 061 504.

Kinder Low, 633 m, SK 079 870.

The rest of the walk is on edges, ridges and open moorland.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak. OS 110: Sheffield & Huddersfield

Introduction

This is mainly a pleasant ridge walk which takes in part of the western edge of Kinder, Kinder NW Trig Point and Kinder Downfall (which often blows back in a strong westerly!). Starting at the top of the Snake Pass minimises the ascent as it is at 512 m. The price for this, however, is that the route has to be reversed. All of the Kinder edges have interesting rock “scupltures” on them and the western edge is no exception. In clear weather, there are excellent views to Higher Shelf Stones and Bleaklow, Kinder Reservoir, South Head and Mount Famine. The interior of the Kinder plateau used to be mainly grass free probably as a result of over grazing (sheep) and the dumping of aviation fuel by some incoming aircraft (Manchester airport) during the 1950's) but restoration is underway and the area around Kinder Low Trig Point is now fairly grassy. This is an ideal walk for a short winter's day but under snow and ice, be very careful on the steep ascent and descent of Kinder.

Route

(1) On the S side of the Snake Pass summit is a gate and a sign for Ashop Moor. Follow this path which soon becomes a slabbed path and eases the crossing of the boggy moorland. The path winds around a bit but it very easy to follow. After about 4 km it reaches a large but low cairn which is the summit of Mill Hill, 544 m. There is a crossroads of paths here. Left is the Pennine Way, ahead is a faint path heading towards Leygatehead Moor and right is the descent to the Grouse Inn.

(2) Continue left, SE, on the Pennine Way. In clear weather, the NW corner of Kinder should be very prominent ahead. The now gravel path, soon to become slabbed again, continues to a sign post indicating routes to Hayfield, the Snake Path as well as the Pennine Way. The ascent to the NW corner of Kinder is on a steep cobbled path. The worst of this ascent is over when the first cairn is reached and the obvious path (Pennine Way) can be followed SE along the edge of the Kinder Plateau. If the weather is bad, there are some useful rocks to shelter behind and, on the right of the path, there is a rocky groove which offers the best shelter. Continue to follow the edge path towards the downfall. Kinder Downfall has steep cliffs on either side so be careful near to the edge. In wet weather, the River Kinder can be difficult to cross. In a drought, it may dry up completely! In a strong westerly, the downfall may blow back up onto the plateau! Cross the river and continue along the edge path. Reach Red Brook which is a tiny version of Kinder Downfall. Continue along the edge path to reach a cairn where the path splits. Take the left fork, which climbs slightly with some old fence posts visible to the left. Soon reach the trig point on a plateau which is Kinder Low, 633 m.

(3) Retrace the whole route back to the top of the Snake Pass.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 13^th June, 2018..