Kinder Scout is a well-known mountain that attracts hikers from all over the UK. Many avid hikers have already conquered its rugged heights, while others have it high on their must-visit list. We had the pleasure of speaking with Kinder Scout expert Sarah Lister about this iconic peak and her new guidebook.
Sarah is the author of “Kinder Scout: 15 Routes to Enjoy On and Around Kinder,” part of the fantastic new Mountain Walks series from Vertebrate Publishing, which we are proud to stock in the Ordnance Survey Shop.
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Go to the shopKinder Scout – an Iconic Mountain Steeped in History
Kinder Scout, the highest peak in the Peak District, offers commanding views over Manchester from its western edges. At 636 meters (2,087 ft) above sea level, this iconic moorland plateau is celebrated for its rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes, providing a variety of interesting routes for hikers.
When walking up and around Kinder Scout you will find wild, peaty moorland, towering gritstone cliffs, and deep cloughs. There are breathtaking views to be had, especially at Kinder Downfall, where the waterfall can appear to flow upwards when strong winds blow.
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Kinder Scout holds historical importance as well. It was the site of the famous 1932 Kinder Scout Mass Trespass, a pivotal moment in the history of the British right to roam movement. The protest by ramblers, objecting to the limited access to the countryside, resulted in significant reforms in public access rights and open land entry. Kinder Scout is also home to a number of aircraft crash sites from WWII.
Meet Sarah Lister, author of Kinder Scout, 15 Routes to enjoy on and around Kinder
How did you feel to be chosen as author and expert for Kinder Scout?
I felt really excited and grateful for the opportunity, especially because it happened after meeting the Managing Director of Vertebrate Publishing on a local walk with guidebook author Paul Besley. It was quite a daunting task to begin but I was well supported and after writing up a few of the walks my confidence grew.
Can you tell us a little about your passion for Kinder Scout and the area and how it came about?
While living in London a few years ago I was looking for weekend adventures that were accessible by public transport. This was how I discovered the Hope Valley train line that runs between Sheffield and Manchester, with stops that include beautiful Peak District villages. After my first walks up Win Hill and Kinder Scout, I couldn’t wait to return and visited several times before I decided to move to the village of Edale.
While exploring the area and particularly Kinder Scout I was encouraged by new friends to learn navigation skills. Initially I did the NNAS bronze and silver courses, which then led me towards completing a Hill and Moorland Leader qualification with Mountain Training. Learning these skills have given me much more freedom and confidence to roam the moors and to lead walks here. My experiences have also brought a sense of deeper connection with the landscape and with nature through learning about flora, fauna, geology and history.
My passion for the area stems from my sense of adventure and need for connection with nature and with people who share similar values and interests. I found all of that here in Edale.
Can you give some advice to beginner hikers thinking about visiting this area for the first time, which route do you think would be best to start with and why?
Let’s imagine it’s a clear sunny day towards the end of summer. Bilberries are still bulging under green leaves, the moors a purple haze of heather, and cloughs trickling with cool water. I’d recommend walk number 5 – Grindsbrook Clough & Grindslow Knoll. You can fit this into a morning or an afternoon and there’s so much packed into a short distance. You’ll enjoy a steep but easy scramble up to the plateau edge of Kinder Scout, hopefully spot some wildlife, experience some of the best views in the Peak District, and return home with a story to tell.
Can you choose your top 3 routes from the book and tell us why they are special to you
Sunset walk on Rushup Edge
Kinder Scout Walks Route 7: Sunset walk on Rushup Edge is stunning on a clear night! Not only do you see a magnificent view of Kinder Scout, but also Edale valley and the Mam Tor ridge. It’s wonderful all year round as long as you have the appropriate equipment including a good headtorch and warm layers. It’s very special indeed.
Jacob’s Ladder & The Woolpacks
Kinder Scout Walks Route 10: Jacob’s Ladder & The Woolpacks will always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first walk I did on Kinder Scout. I remember feeling in complete awe of this beautiful landscape and I always remember that when I experience this route. The boulders at the Woolpacks are so special in the way they create an air of mystery and tease my imagination.
Edale to Dragon Rapide Aircraft Wreck & Seal Stones
Kinder Scout Walks Route 13: Edale to Dragon Rapide Aircraft Wreck & Seal Stones is another favourite because it packs so much into a relatively short distance. I love the moorland landscape, the wildlife, and reaching the northern edge of the plateau for a completely different view. It feels like a proper adventure but not far from home!
Where can we learn more about you and follow your adventures online?
Take a look at wildaboutkinder.co.uk to listen to my podcast that features interviews with people who feel a special connection with Kinder Scout, plus you can find out more about me and my guided walks and events. On abouttheadventure.com you can learn about my career change into coaching outdoors and why I moved to Edale from London. Follow my adventures on X and Instagram.
Thanks so much to Sarah for these fantastic Kinder Scout Walks. For both enthusiastic hikers and history enthusiasts, walking up and around Kinder Scout embodies the spirit of the Peak District, so if you only have time to walk one route on your visit to the peaks, make it a Kinder Scout Walk!
More Kinder Scout Walks:
By Hilary Pullen
Meet Hilary, Editor of Get Outside – the Ordnance Survey Blog. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales on her blog. Drop her an email hilary.pullen@os.uk if you are interested in posting an article on Get Outside.
