13 Miles / 21km with 2500ft / 762m Total Ascent
From New mills join the sett valley trail then go to little Hayfield and Kinder Reservoir and onto Pennine bridleway to Kinder downfall and kinder scout. Next Jacobs ladder and back to hayfield.
10 Miles / 16.1km with 2200ft / 671m Total Ascent
We leave Hayfield heading north on the ominously named Snake Path, remembering to keep our trousers tucked into our socks. We then head east following a path above Kinder Reservoir. After about a mile we climb William Clough to the ridge of Kinder Scout where we meet the Pennine Way, which we follow to the impressive Kinder Downfall. We then head to the trig point at Kinder Low.
From here we descend passing the medieval wayside Edale Cross then crossing over Oaken Clough we descend to Bowden Bridge and follow the road to Hayfield, passing the quarry where Benny Rothman and his followers started their mass trespass in 1932, which helped to make it possible for us to walk this area today. Following the River Kinder we arrive back in Hayfield.
Happy New Year.
7½ Miles / 12km with 1640ft / 499m Total Ascent
This walk is in two sections. Terrain is good paths and tracks but can be challenging. There are toilets at the car park.
We leave the car park following the Sett Valley Trail to Birch Vale and then take the Pennine Bridle Way to Lantern Pike. We then head to Knarrs after which we cross the A624 and follow the path over Middle Moor to Shooting Cabin. Bearing right down Snake Path we head back to Hayfield. Happy days!
6 Miles / 9.7km with 500ft / 153m Total Ascent
From Hayfield we head west along a disused railway track known as the Sett Valley Trail. This tree lined path passes through Birch Vale and Thornsett and after 2.5 miles, reaches New Mills where we turn south-east along a minor road which soon becomes a bridleway, terminating at Moor Lodge. Here we proceed north east across moorland to a TV mast and from there we descend back to Hayfield where I have checked that there will be cafes, pubs and even a chip shop open for our custom as we await the departure of the coach.