Kinder Scout Walk (via Fairbrook) From Snake Pass | 8-Mile Route

Kinder Scout is a huge moorland plateau in the Peak District and it’s also the highest point in the National Park at 636 metres.

In fact, it’s so big to walk around the entire Kinder plateau, over 25 km in distance and that’s not counting the hike up and down. There are also over 20 paths marked on the Ordnance Survey to reach the top.

Kinder Scout is a popular place for hikers to go, due to it being the highest spot in the Peak District and the beautiful views from the top. The most common routes up to the plateau are from the two lovely villages of village of Edale and also Hayfield.

But in times when we might be looking for less-popular routes then why not try this Kinder Scout walk, exploring the northern side of the plateau?

Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Snake Pass, where to park, route information, facilities on the walk, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.

Note: Snake Pass will be closed for road repairs from 14th-25th October 2024.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!

Kinder Scout walk from Snake Pass

Kinder Scout walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

 

Walk start point

Start grid reference: SK 11264 90523

Car parking location: Snake Pass Inn (no longer open but marked on OS map), Snake Road (A57), Hope Valley, S33 0BJ

There is no parking at Snake Pass Inn; however, free parking is available at numerous laybys on the side of the road, suitable for between 3-5 car at each one.

Alternatively, there is a free car park further down the road but this will involve extending the walk.

Public transport

Unfortunately, there are no suitable public transport options for this walk, which is one of the reasons this is another less-popular route.

Facilities on the walk

There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Snake Pass or on any of the walk.

This is a remote section of the Peak District and there are also no refreshments on the walk either. Please take all your own food and water (and also remember to bring home too).

I filled up my water in Fair Brook, using my Water-to-Go filter water bottle. Ask me any questions in the comments.

Other useful information

Please note that this route does include a short section walking next to the busy A57 road, depending on where you end up parking.

Kinder Scout plateau is beautiful on a clear day but it bad weather it can be difficult to navigate, as well as being very cold due to how exposed it is. Take some extra layers for the top.

I always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).

Would you know what to do in an emergency situation?

We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media.

Happy hiking + stay safe

read here

Peak District weather

Check the weather for your walk location and hills. The weather on the top of Kinder Scout can vary greatly to the start of the route.

• BBC Weather for Glossop
• Met Office weather for the Peak District
• Met Office weather for Kinder Low (opposite side of Kinder Scout) and/or MWIS (Mountain Weather Information Service) for the Peak District

Kinder Scout patch

An iconic view of the packhorse bridge at Jacob's Ladder on the way up to Kinder Scout summit.

Celebrate reaching the highest point in the Peak District with our second charity patch.

Or if you are planning on doing the walk soon, order the patch now so you can take it to the top for a photo.

visit shop

Quick View

Charity Patches

Kinder Scout Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00

Ordnance Survey Walk Map

The map for this walk is OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area)

You can buy a paper map at outdoor shops or shop online at Amazon or Ordnance Survey

Check prices here with Ordnance Survey, there are options to buy either standard map or a waterproof one. You can sometimes find cheaper deals on Amazon, but the Ordnance Survey website sometimes has discounts for buying more than one map!

And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.

For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.

Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App. 

Read later? Save the walk to Pinterest

Kinder Scout walk route

Stage 1 – Snake Pass to Kinder Scout Plateau

Distance: 1.9 miles/3.1 km

Grid reference SK 11451 90286

Depending on which layby you parked in, you’ll either need to walk up or down the road (the grid reference is the point where the public footpath is).

At this point go through the gate, on the map. It shows as a wooded area but you’ll notice this area has now been logged. Make your way down to a gate (slightly obscured) and over a small wooden bridge.

Then turn left at the National Trust sign, follow the path round to Fairbrook and continue walking all the way alongside the brook. As you ascend there are a few sections along the walk you can stop to cool off in the water, including a few mini dammed off sections.

The path then continues running parallel to the brook but starts ascending until you reach a rocky section which takes you up to the top of Kinder Scout via a small gate then on to the plateau.

Stage 2 – Kinder Scout Plateau to Pennine Way

Distance: 2.7 mile/4.3 km

Grid reference SK 09327 89110

Once you reach Kinder Scout plateau you then head in a northerly direction, heading towards some large flat rocks on the edge.

From here you then bear left all the way along ‘The Edge’ of Kinder Scout. The path takes you pretty close to the edge and along past several lovely rock formations.

After about 3 km you’ll reach a stile, then shortly after you’ll join the busier section (for a few hundred metres) on the Pennine Way trail.

At the Pennine Way, turn right, down to the large stone cairn and then descend where there are several paths. Keep on the right-hand path all the way to a wooden post, signposted Snake Inn.

Stage 3 – Pennine Way via Ashop Clough to Snake Pass

Distance: 3.5 miles/5.7 km

Grid reference SK 06435 90087

Turn right at the signpost, then follow the path down Ashop Clough. The path can be boggy in a few places, especially in wet weather!

Walk all the way to a small wooded area, go through a gate then across a wooden bridge.

Keep on the same side of the fence and follow it round to another gate which then takes you back uphill through the Snake Woodlands and out on to Snake Road.

From here, turn right and follow the road back to the layby, there is a short section of pavement, but the rest you just need to keep close to the verge.

Do you have any more questions about this Kinder Scout walk, maybe what to wear on your hike or any other questions? Ask me in the comments below.

More walks in the Peak District

Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.

• Langsett Reservoir
• Edale Skyline hike
• Rushup Edge via Mam Tor
• Alport Castles walk

Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here

View walks directory here

Save me to your Hiking boards on Pinterest

Quick View

Charity Patches

Mam Tor Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00

Quick View

Charity Patches

Kinder Scout Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00

Sale!

Quick View

Charity Patches

Thorpe Cloud Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00 Original price was: £5.00.£4.00Current price is: £4.00.

Sale!

Quick View

Charity Patches

The Roaches Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00 Original price was: £5.00.£4.00Current price is: £4.00.

Quick View

Charity Patches

Win Hill Patch

Rated 5.00 out of 5

£5.00

Sale!

Quick View

Charity Patches

Peak District Walks Patch

£5.00 Original price was: £5.00.£4.00Current price is: £4.00.