March
8:00 Start with 17:00 Return
A Walk – Kinder Low & Mount Famine with Graham Hogg
12 Miles / 19.1km with 2,200ft / 670m Total Ascent
From Hayfield, we proceed up Kinder Road and pass the terraced house in which actor Arthur Lowe was born (Captain Mainwaring of “Dad’s Army” fame). Keep an eye out for a blue plaque on the wall which indicates the exact house.
Soon after, we join the “Snake Path” on our left and follow this in the footsteps of the 400 or so ramblers who, on 24 April 1932, took part in the Kinder Mass Trespass.
The ramblers were seeking the right of working
class people to roam freely on the open moorlands. At that time, all of the
Kinder massif was privately owned by and for the exclusive use of wealthy
landowners and their grouse shooting. Some 19 years later the Peak District
became the UK’s first national park.
As we reach Middle Moor shooting cabin, instead of following the main tourist (and trespass) route up William Clough, we will today contour slightly left before ascending Leygatehead Moor and summit out at the top of Mill Hill (544m).
From here, heading in a south easterly direction, we descend to the col at the head of William Clough, before joining the now well trodden path that contours the western edge of the Kinder plateau. We follow this, first to Kinder Downfall and then onwards to Kinder Low (633m).
To complete the round, we continue to Brown Knoll (569m), South Head (494m) and then to the curiously named Mount Famine (473m). The hills name originates from the period of the Inclosure Acts (1773-1859) when tenant farmers struggled to make a living from the poor farming land.
From Mount Famine, we follow the descending ridge line towards Elle Bank and then back to Hayfield in time for refreshments.
We’ll aim to complete the walk today, hopefully without having trespassed on anyone’s land, which of course will be “Strictly Prohibited” and also preferably without any of the group being arrested!
10 Miles / 16km with 1,600ft / 488m Total AscentFrom coach park in Hayfield west along River Sett on Penine Bridleway north up Lantern Pike and down towards Blackshaw Farm. Leave the bridleway for a path south to Little Hayfield. West now crossing to a track then a path over Middle Moor and the shooting cabin shortly after cabin take path going towards Kinder Reservoir following it round the end of the reservoir up to Broad Clough. Follow track south leaving west for a path down to Bowden Bridge and road back to Hayfield. Stopping at the pub if time allows as Hayfield was a bit lacking in open cafes and pubs when I was last there.
Great views of Kinder Edge and the Downfall plus Kinder End weather permitting.
B Walk – A lantern wander round Middle Moor. with Stuart Arnold 7½ Miles / 12km with 1,500ft / 457m Total Ascent
We leave the car park following the Sett valley trail to Birch Valley 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 the shooting cabin. We then bear right down snake path back into Hayfield.
Sett Valley Trail – Title with Chris Cook 6 Miles 9.7/ km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent
Starting from Hayfield (toilets at coach park) we follow the Sett Valley Trail to Thornsett then on to New Mills. Here we take a bridleway to Moor Lodge, across the moors to the TV mast and back to Hayfield.
HAPPY DAYS
