Best Scrambles in The Peak District

While the Peak District is mostly rounded moorland, plateaus and valleys, there are some exposed ridges, gullies and boulder fields. These are the kind of routes that require a good sense of problem-solving and provide a great sense of achievement once completed.

All of these routes have been tackled by our staff members and can be found on the Ordnance Survey OL1 map: The Peak District - Dark Peak Area and in the Cicerone Guide: Scrambles In The Dark Peak.

This scramble offers access to the north side of the Kinder plateau and accessed by following the River Ashop. As the name suggests the route takes you up a brook. This joins the River Ashop where you should leave the river and continue south following the brook.

To keep this route at grade 1 you should stay with the brook as it turns left where you’ll find plenty of steps and holds to guide you to the top. Or, you can choose to tackle one of the more difficult routes to the right of the brook. But, do be aware the first alternative you’ll come across on the route is a grade 3. In wet conditions it can almost be impossible due to slimy rock towards the top. The second alternative, further on from the first alternative, is a grade 2. This offers some excellent opportunities to get your hands dirty as you move on up the rocks. Both options can be easily bypassed via a grassy bank to the side should you change your mind.

Once at the top you can continue circular travelling east along The Edge towards Fairbrook Naze before handrailing your way along Fair Brook back towards the road. If you are keen to keep moving then you can make your way further round the edge of the plateau and make your way down to the road via Gate Side Clough.

Further along the Woodlands Valley from the Nether Red Brook route above lies a scramble route up Blackden Brook. Travelling up the brook there is a narrow path. Conditions can be tricky and you’ll need to cross over the brook. If the weather allows you’ll be rewarded with picturesque views complete with small waterfalls up the valley.

When you come close to the top you have different options that you can choose from to get on the plateau. Use your judgement and consider your abilities as well as the abilities of those you are with.

To descend from this scramble you can head north by Seal Stones and take the path down Gate Side clough. This will bring you out about 2km further up the A57 than where you started and the road isn’t the best for walking along, so it might be worth leaving a vehicle here if possible.

For a circular alternative you can take the path heading west towards Blackden Edge.

Sitting on the south side of the Kinder Plateau is Crowden Clough which offers a large boulder field.

Parking at Upper Booth, follow the path north which will lead you up Crowden Clough. When you reach the Crowden Tower crags, leave the path and stay close to the watercourse where you’ll reach a pool of water. This is sometimes dry in summer so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. From here you can take a direct line towards the top. Or if it’s a little too wet you might be more successful taking the line up the left. Once you’ve reached the top of this section, keep by the watercourse until you reach the path that runs along the southern edge of Kinder Scout.

There are many options for descent from here. You can take the path northwest towards the Kinder Downfall and pick up the Pennine Way which will take you south, back towards Upper Booth via Jacobs Ladder. Or, you can take the path east and enjoy another scramble down Grindsbrook Clough towards Grindsbrook Booth where you can pick up the Pennine Way which will again lead you back to Upper Booth.

Often busier in the winter months when a few short ice pitches have formed, making it a great place to practice winter climbing. During the warmer months it’s often pretty quiet which is perfect for escaping the crowds that can form in more popular areas of the Peaks.

Get there early enough to park at Torside Reservoir before it gets too busy and take the small path up to the Longdendale Trail. Turn left along the trail and keep your eyes peeled for the Wildboar Clough sign on the right. Follow this over the stile and stick to the concessionary path. This will help you avoid the clay pigeon shooting area as you head up the woodland to reach the open moor. Here you will see a narrow path on the right bank of Wildboar Clough. You should utilise the path until you can get into the watercourse which is where the fun begins.

From here you can make your way up the clough where you’ll find a couple of big pitches to tackle, the main obstacle to take on being a waterfall. It’s unlikely to be dry. Although it can dry up particularly warm summers. Take care making sure your holds are solid, up the left corner tends to be pretty reliable. After this, you’ll have another steep wall to tackle before the clough continues up before levelling out with the surrounding moorland.

Once at the top you can take a bearing south to join the Pennine Way which will take you northwest back to the Longdendale Trail and the car park. Or for a full day out, you can take the Pennine Way south in search of the Bleaklow Bomber near Higher Shelf Stones.

The odd one out for the list. Elbow Ridge is a ridge scramble that should only be tackled at the quietest periods in small groups. This is due to the proximity to the road below and the potential for loose rock to cause damage to people and passing vehicles. The exposure on this route becomes more intense the higher you get. It's worth taking a confidence rope and wearing a helmet for protection but on the whole, can provide some exhilarating fun.

Leaving the car at the car park at Speedwell Cavern, head east to approach Winnats Pass and you’ll see the obvious ridgeline to your right. It starts by the road and will take you to the top. The first section is the trickiest but can be avoided by taking the grassy slope up either side. Once past this section, there is a horizontal section that can’t be avoided but can be crawled across if you aren’t quite brave enough to stand up with the exposure. Once past this point, while the exposure is still apparent the route offers excellent hands-on scrambling to the top.

Once at the top, you can make your way down the eastern slopes back to the car park. Or you can head northwest towards Winnats Head Farm where you can pick up a path that will take you on a classic route over Mam Tor and along the ridgeline before dropping down through the fields and back towards Castleton for a well-earned ice cream.