Wild running route: Dark Peak
20th September 2016
This challenging route passes the gritstone outcrops and Kinder Downfall waterfall, often frozen in winter
From Bowden Bridge car park follow Kinder Road NE to Booth Bridge. Take path up to White Brow, continuing along William Clough until R turn on Pennine Way to Sandy Heys. Follow Pennine Way past Kinder Downfall and over Kinder Low to Edale Cross. Turn R on path and follow downhill to return to Hayfield.
Kinder Trespass details
Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)
Start/finish: Bowden Bridge car park, Kinder Road, Hayfield, SK22 2LH
Terrain: Track, slabbed path, moorland
Toughness: Challenging
Ascent: 536 metres
Navigation: Moderate (if visibility good)
Good for: Ascents, national trails, history
Route info: wildrunning.net
Point to point
The Dark Peak forms the higher, wilder northern part of the Peak District, lying mainly in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. On these high moorland plateaus, the Millstone Grit creates a dark and brooding landscape, often peaty and waterlogged underfoot. The famous gritstone outcrops form an inverted horseshoe shape around the lower limestone White Peak. The highest points of the Dark Peak include Kinder Scout at 636m and Bleaklow at 610m.
This area is home to the infamous High Peak Marathon, a 42-mile navigational challenge for teams of four. This already sizeable challenge is further enhanced by being held at night, in March – when snow often still lies on the ground, icy gales blast across the open moorland and driving rain brings added misery to those lonely pre-dawn hours.
By day, and in good weather, the running in the Dark Peak is outstanding, with hundreds of miles of great trails covering the fells. It’s easily accessed from Manchester and Sheffield, and dotted with pleasant villages with train stations. The Pennine Way begins its 276-mile journey northwards from Edale and provides challenging, waymarked running.
History’s footsteps
The Kinder Trespass was a 500-strong march demonstrating against the closure of moorland to walkers (and runners!). Access was granted in 1932. Our run follows the route of the Trespass from the banks for the river Kinder, upwards to the Pennine Way at Ashop Head. Dramatic views open out over moorland and rugged gritstone cliffs.
Visit fellrunner.org.uk for more routes.
