Hike File

Distance: 22.5 km

Start: Ramblers Inn – SK 123855

Finish: Peels Arms, Padfield, near Glossop – SK 030960

Start: Edale – Ramblers Inn

• The Pennine way has two alternative routes out of Edale. Take the currently recommended route to the west. Go up the lane to the Post Office, then turn west across the fields and skirt the slopes of Broadlee-bank Tor. After two km descend to Upper Booth. Here turn north west and go up the tiny river Noe as far as Jacob’s Ladder.
• Jacob’s Ladder – 4.5 km – Jacob’s Ladder is the name of a steep path up to Edale Cross. In the first kilometre we climb up over 200m, so allow 40 minutes to reach the first plateau. The path divides here. Turn NNW and climb up another 100 m to Kinder Low. You should get a good view from here. At 633 m (2075 ft) above sea level there is nothing South of you in England that is higher. Follow the ridge NNE for two km to where the edge turns West at Kinder Downfall.

Kinder Downfall – 8.5 km -

• A small waterfall tumbles down a ragged outcrop. This is a barren spot, of wind worn rocks and sterile peat. Yet it does have a certain grandeur, and its hosts a unique flora and fauna (ref). The view below is of Kinder Reservoir feeding the town of Hayfield. This is the site of the famous Kinder mass trespass which led to the founding of the Peak District National Park. The path follows the escarpment, which turns NW here for two km. The path then descends steeply into the col at Ashop Head.

11 km Ashop Head -

Here a path running N-S crosses ours.

• If you turn south, you can go down William Clough to Kinder Reservoir and hence to Hayfield.
• If you turn north, you can follow Ashop Clough, to the Snake Pass. Alternative Route to Glossop- via Snake Pass Hotel, just 5 km away if you are weary.
• But we continue NW along the Pennine Way. And after just 300m we reach a low summit called Mill Hill marked by a cairn.

• Mill Hill Cairn – 11.3 km – The Pennine Way turns right here and goes North East along the watershed for 4 km to the A57.

In the past this 4 km section was slow and boggy, taking an hour and an half if you were lucky. Recently, by the miracle of job creation and the power of a helicopter, it has been paved with old stone slabs. The day Buddy and I discovered this hiker’s heavenly highway, the sun was shinning, the skylarks were souring overhead and we could not help singing as we tramped along. The sheep and the red grouse provided a plaintive chorus of ‘Bah!’ ‘Bah!’ and ‘Goback!’ ‘Goback!’. I guess they wanted this lonely wilderness to themselves.

Speeded by this fine footway you should reach the A57 in less than 50 minutes. Cross this busy road carefully and in another 400m more you reach the head of Doctor’s Gate. I suggest you count your steps carefully from the A57, because the turn off from the Pennine Way is marked only by a wooden signpost and wood does not last for long up here.

15.5 km Doctor’s Gate Path

Compared with the heavy foot bounding of the Pennine Way the path running NW down Doctor’s Gate is lightly used. After 100m from leaving the Pennine Way we come to the edge of ‘V’ shaped valley Doctor’s Gate named after the 16th century doctor who adopted it. The path descends steeply down the rock hillside, so watch your footing.

After about 2 km the path changes to the north bank of Shelf Brook. The further down from the moors we get the greener is the grass and the fatter the sheep. The wooded dome of Shire Hill at the foot of Doctor’s Gate nicely disguises the entrance to Old Glossop.

• Old Glossop – 20.5 km – By now your feet will be tired. There are three pubs near the church in the Village. The Weatsheaf is open all day at weekends, better chance of refreshment there.

Fortified and rested we are ready for the last 2 km to Padfield. Go up the alley between the two pubs and keep going NW through the residential estate for 100m. This takes us to a path through the fields that runs west of the hospital. After 1 km we come to Swineshaw Reservoir. Turn sharp left here and head west for 250m to gain the B6105 Woodhead Road opposite a farm. Turn right and left on to the track to the north of the farm and past the cemetery to Little Padfield Farm.

• You can see the tiny village of Padfield 250m in front of you from Little Padfield Farm, but I never did work out the best route to the north of the farm which would bring you to the Peels Arms by the shortest route. Truth is all the paths from the farm run into the village so just head for the northern corner of the triangle that is Padfield and that is where the Peels Arms is. If you work out the best route then email me and I owe you a pint.
• 22.5 km Finish Padfield Village -Peels arms 

Alternative Route to Glossop- via Snake Pass Hotel

Ashop head to Snake Pass Hotel – 5 km

• Ashop Head – Turn North off the Pennine way for half a km, then turn East to follow Ashop Clough down to the Snake. The path keeps to the north of the small stream and after 4 km it brings us to the A57, Snake Road.
• A57, Snake Road – 16 km from Edale - On reaching the road turn right and the Snake Pass Hotel (ref) is just 300 m down the road.

Snake Pass Hotel to Doctor’s Gate – 4.5 km

• Snake Pass Hotel – Go back 300m NW up the A57 road and turn towards Ashop Clough. Where you cross the stream take the path north up Lady Clough. Go through the woods for 2 km until you emerge below the A57. Follow the course of the stream for another 300 m until the path swings up to join the road.

Here you have a choice you can walk up the road for 400m or you can cross the road and walk parallel to it on the edge of the moor. Either way you should reach the start of the Doctor’s Gate path at Grid Ref: SK 095929

• Start Doctor’s Gate path – 3 km – Follow the path NW for 700m to the cross roads with the Pennine Way. Now follow the path as previously described to Padfield Near Glossop – 12 km after the Snake Pass Hotel