12½ Miles / 20km with 2,460ft / 750m Total Ascent
The iconic massif of Kinder Scout dominates the Dark Peak, now famed for all time by the mass trespass of 1932. Much has changed since or else we wouldn't be doing this walk at all without probably getting shot at or ending up in the nick with no get out of jail free card! Derbyshires highest point lies somewhere amidst a great expanse of plateau, riven with watercourses that form sticky peat groughs which have, in their time, swallowed many a Pennine Way hiker: we, however, will not be going there today. Instead, we will traverse the western edge of the plateau, including Kinder Low which, at 2077ft / 633m, is only a mere 11 feet lower. This walk will therefore be of no use to any peak-baggers out there. Kinder is best viewed from the west, hence, on our return to Hayfield, we will scale Lantern Pike (1224ft / 373m).
We start from Hayfield and follow the valley of the River Sett, climbing over the north east shoulder of Mount Famine before continuing, by way of Oaken Clough and Edale Cross, to Kinder Low. The Pennine Way takes us northwards along Kinder's western escarpment to Kinder Downfall before we descend, ever so gradually, to Mill Hill (not the one in Blackburn) and eventually the Glossop to Hayfield road near the Grouse Inn. (No drinking, so no whinging!) From here our route lies generally southwards, descending towards Blackshaw Farm before the easy climb to the summit of Lantern Pike. We then descend to Birch Vale and catch a virtual train to Hayfield. (i.e. You walk along an old railway line now known as the Sett Valley Cycleway).
10 Miles / 16km with 1,950ft / 600m Total Ascent
My dad was brought up as a child in the 1920's at the Lamb Inn which lies between Hayfield and Chinley so he is very fond of this area and once showed me this walk. It is a good one and particularly pleasant if we have clear visibility.
In the morning we climb South Head (1621ft / 494m) and in the afternoon Chinley Churn (1480 / 451m). Starting from Hayfield Village we head south east round the side of Mount Famine and up to the top of South Head. We descend southwards via Beet Farm to Hull End where we turn north west, pass White Knowl Farm and continue down into Chinley. Once through the village we climb north east, past Cracken Edge, up to Chinley Chum. The descent from here takes us to Peep o Day where we head north west past Far Phoside and Phoside Farm and, on reaching Ridge Top, we drop back into Hayfield along a track leading to Meadows Road and the coach park.
8 Miles / 12.9km with 1,700ft / 518m Total Ascent
We walk to Little Hayfield and then on to White Brow where you can see the footpath to Kinder. From here we descend towards Kinder Reservoir and continue onwards with views of Mount Famine and Manchester. We reach the river bridge at Bowden Bridge and finally emerge on Kinder Road which takes us to the center of Hayfield.
5½ Miles / 8.9km with 550ft / 168m Total Ascent
Our walk today starts from Hayfield and is a pleasant and enjoyable walk, in part, along the Sett Valley Trail. From the coach park we make our way westwards along the Sett Valley Trail and woodland walk until we reach Thornsett. At Thornsett we turn north and cross the River Sett where we climb from the valley floor, in a steep but short climb, on a decent track to join a minor road which we follow for a short distance.
Still heading north, we cross into fields and continue our, now gradual, climb to Feeding Hey where we join a well used bridleway. This track takes us round the back of Lantern Pike affording us excellent views of the surrounding countryside. We now turn south and make our way past the other side of Lantern Pike, after which we drop down to the valley floor again where, re-crossing the River Sett, we emerge back on the Sett Valley Trail. We then retrace our steps to Hayfield.