Day 2 began with heavy legs and aching heads. The previous day was a big one and we slept in for an extra half hour, presuming that breakfast would be late again. After fried food and honey soaked croissant we checked out and set off for another 30 minutes in the car. This time we were heading north to the village of Edale. Today was Kinder Scout.
The drive took us up and over Mam Tor, a very popular and beautiful hill which on a return visit would definitely warrant a trip up. In the car it wasn’t quite as fun. My C3 has seen better days and really didn’t enjoy the steep incline or the suspension shattering hidden dips on the descent. Not fun but necessary to reach our car park and the beginning of the hike.
The majority of the route follows the Pennine Way which actually begins right there in the village. It starts with another traverse round the side of Broadlee-Bank Tor only this time instead of mud we had all the glory of a paved path. We were walking straight in to a very strong wind which was pretty killer at times and it meant that by the first farm it was already time for a snack.
We then began the trek up, following a stream to the base of Jacob’s Ladder. From here there was either the alternative route or the steeper “ladder” which ended up being a fairly unexciting steep set of steps. Either way it was a quick route to get a good section of incline done and we were soon back up on to the very windy Swine’s Back where we stopped in a sheltered area for an early lunch as the mist rolled in.
From here we headed up to the very large Edale Rocks. They were beautiful and massive. We went for a wander between and over them, striking beautiful poses as standard.
Things leveled up from here on as we were on the large and expansive upper moorland that was Kinder Scout. The landscape at 600m was stunning. Otherworldly. Mainly consisting of bogs, rocks and streams, it was a truly wet experience. At times the cloud rolled in and it was difficult to see yet when it cleared you could see for miles in all directions.
We eventually left the Pennine Way at the top of the River Kinder. There was a large waterfall at the top. It was so windy that the water was blowing completely the wrong way. Making for a very cool video, if you excuse my Del boy impression…
Along the way there were many more rocks and streams. The weather wasn’t even too bad at this point. Just the expected Peak District elements!
When we finally got away from the outer rim of Kinder Scout we were following a large stream. Sometimes on a path, sometimes on a peat and mud track, sometimes in the water. It was beautiful, fun and the navigation was nigh on impossible at times. I cheated and stuck a grid reference in my watch so we could head in the right direction. It all felt a bit Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World. I was fully expecting a Triceratops to come rampaging up the river!
Then we saw a Christmas Tree and I didn’t know what to feel.
It really did end up being a very surreal part of the hike. After we left the slight path we were on it was bog after bog after bog. Quite wonderful but without GPS or a compass it could be quite worrying as everything looked the same and it was very easy to lose track of the direction you were heading in. Nevertheless we carried on through and soon reached the southern edge of Kinder Scout. From here on out it was a short trek along the top before we headed down an unexpectedly steep and rocky river down towards Edale.
All too soon we were back at the car and the weekend was over. It was great to see the guys again and we had a fantastic time. Much banter was had. It was my first trip to the Peak District and boy was it brilliant. Two great walks in to very different parts of the national park. The first a scenic and beautiful amble whilst the second felt a bit more raw and wild. I will be coming back here at Easter with my girlfriend. Not sure what walks we will do but I know it will be great. I am planning another trip with the gentlemen who accompanied me. This time we’re thinking Snowdonia in late Spring/early Summer. I cannot wait, bring on the next adventure!
Nice pictures, I like fog. The “waterfall” is hilarious, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like that.
I believe it’s pronounced “waterfall”
Amazing! Perhaps it should be called a ‘water-rise’ not a waterfall!!
Definitely wasn’t much falling involved!
Oh my, what a windy, watery adventure. The water-rise-fall-thingy totally took me by surprise, at first I thought a pic from a waterhole by the ocean snuck its way into your post 😀
Looking forward to more of your adventures!
It was a damp but beautiful weekend and I cannot wait for the next one!
Love the pictures!! It looks beautiful!!
Thanks! It’s great there!