Peak Rambles: Kinder Scout via Ollerbook Clough

As we arrived in the Peaks, the blue crisp blue skies and brilliant sunshine soon made us forget the early alarm call. It had been a couple of weeks since our last Peak’s adventure but today, we were heading to one our favourite places, Kinder Scout.

Setting off from Edale, we escaped the crowds by heading up the heather strewn Ollerbrook Clough. The sun beat down warming our faces against the cold bitter breeze, as we headed across fields and past a few farms. Ahead of us, Kinder Scout loomed menacingly, while behind us, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge glowed under the bright blue skies. As we started the accent up, the views were spectacular, and the only sounds were the wind in the trees and the birds singing.

Meandering along the path winding its way along the clough, the heather brushed our legs and I felt so lucky to be adventuring again. Local walks are all well and good but nothing beats being lost in the hills. Stopping every so often to take more photographs, we were soon at the arduous Ringing Roger, with stunning views back towards the Great Ridge and down into Grindsbrook Clough, it was turning out to be a spectacular day.

I have spoken before about my love of the Peaks many Cloughs; they make for a great day scrambling over their small streams and waterfalls. With the heather on the cusp of turning purple and the path being quiet, it felt as if we had the place to ourselves.  

Once on Kinder the weather moved in, dark clouds hung overhead and rain started to fall, this only added to the menacing feel of Kinder Scout. I have made no secret of my love of Kinder; it is an ever-changing landscape that is beautiful in all weathers. We hopped over deep puddles from the incessant rain fall earlier that week and watched as people scrambled up Grindsbook Clough.

Kinder Low beckoned, so we continued. From here, the sun broke through again and we basked in the spring sunshine as we wandered along. There weren’t too many people around at this point and the air was filled with the songs of the birds. It was a such a lovely treat to have the sun warming our faces. We decided to sit down and refuel with a snack and drink, it was also the perfect opportunity to soak up the views we had missed over the last few months.

After being cooped up for so long, it felt so good to be out in the hills, I felt the anxiety and stress melt away and my shoulders finally relaxed from being up around my ears. There really is nothing better than nature and the outdoors to make you feel better and I could have happily stayed there for longer. As we finally dropped back down into Edale, my legs were gloriously achy, and I couldn’t wait to see what photos I had captured on my camera.

During lockdown we were lucky enough to have some nice local walks to escape to but there is something freeing about the hills and going somewhere a little wilder. With restrictions easing, we are planning a couple of camping trips to the Peaks over the next few weeks, we are heading back to Edale and Hayfield, two amazing places that give you adventurous access to Kinder Scout.

For now though, with a ten day camping trip to the Cairngorms only a matter of weeks away, I am throwing myself into prepping for that, any recommendations, let me know, the wilder the better.