Los Angeles. It can be reached by a quick scramble down.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-2','ezslot_16',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_15',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-large-mobile-banner-2-0');The path runs alongside Blackden Brook and climbs steadily, getting rockier as you head up. Read more, 7 Fun Peak District Scrambles + BEST Routes. Fair Brook & Kinder Northern Edges from Birchen Clough: moderate: 8.5 miles: Walk 2514: Fair Brook & Kinder Downfall from Birchen Clough: moderate: 8.0 miles: Walk 2982: Bleaklow & Higher . The scramble initially skirts an attractive waterfall, then takes a smaller cascade more directly, before finally heading towards the summit of Bleaklow along the rocky bed of Dowstone Clough. At the top of the climb we had a snack break then followed the top path round Blackden Edge to the Seal Stones.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-4','ezslot_18',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-4-0');We then took a steep descent down the hill next to Gate Side Clough this is very steep! ).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-box-4','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-box-4-0');The cow poo kind of ruins the illusionif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-banner-1','ezslot_10',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-banner-1-0');We followed a very faint path round the head of the Clough and over the moor, heading down the hill on quite indistinct paths. It feels like a hidden vale and the scenery is charming, so you could take your time with this one. Eventually the dream ends and you hit the Pennine Way which provides a fast descent route back. Name: Birchin Clough, High Peak X/Y co-ords: 411197, 391690 Region: East Midlands Country: England Place type: Valley Lat/Long: 53.42190170,-1.83299801 District: High Peak Height: 411.2m Location Grid Ref: SK 1119 9169 OS Explorer Map: OL1: Peak District County/Unitary Authority: Derbyshire Other places near Birchin Clough, High Peak (S33 0BJ) Birchen Clough (Chew Valley) Start: lay-by on A635 at SE 051 063 I don't know the area around Saddleworth at all well, but this first excursion will have me back soon enough. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. Important note regarding The Trinnacles You might see pictures of people climbing these, its a sheer drop on the other side so please be careful. Read John C. Clough's profile to learn more about them and discover their Best. This is a small free car park on the A 635, which can get pretty busy at weekends if its full there are laybys along the road where people park. If the farmer isnt there youll have to follow the footpath a short distance down to Alport Bridge and then join Snake Road. There have been numerous serious incidents here where people have fallen. The scramble section of this route is an optional add-on to the walk, you can simply walk to the base of the rocks and enjoy the view or take an extra challenge and head up to the top. This can get busy at weekends so be sure to get there early. We nipped over the bridge to get a photo of the Peak and Northern Footpaths green sign and then headed back over the bridge and over the stile into the woods. A little bit along from Blackden Brook are these adjacent scrambles, both a bit more taxing. 13 Nov. Grindslow Knoll (via Grindsbrook Clough) Short Walk from Edale | 4-Mile Route. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At the bottom of the road, turn right and walk across the reservoir, at the end youll see a footpath leading off to the left. The path winds its way through the trees before reaching a stile where we headed up the hill over Alport Moor in the direction of Oyster Clough.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-medrectangle-4-0');At the head of the clough is the Oyster Clough shooting cabin, touted on YouTube as a secret bothy in the Peak District although judging from the guest books in there its very well visited for somewhere so secret. There is a small fence to negotiate before you enter the wood, and then the path followed the beautiful Lady Clough to the bridge. Top tips - Read our useful guides onhiking tips here. We walked up Snake Road for half a mile until we reached a lay-by with National Trust Blackden View Farm signs. So, a fair few of the routes in the book done, but still many more to do. Did you know the National Trust signs are called Omega signs?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-1','ezslot_13',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-1-0');There is a gate which leads down the hill (quite steep and very muddy!) Plus we love a scramble, and the Blackden Brook scramble was one we hadnt ticked off yet. Im Jo! This was a bit of an unplanned walk as we had meant to head over to Teggs Nose and White Nancy. We had a quick snack break and Hols signed the book for us (I get her to do most of my admin now ;)!). This route takes you up Birchen Clough, for most of the route its simply navigating the rocks but theres a short scramble about halfway up (see photo above). From the lower car park, take the path down the steps through the woods, go through a narrow stone stile then a gate and turn left onto the road with Dove Stone Reservoir on your right. You might like these Peak District walks. We quickly plotted this route on the OS map and then set off to walk it! All the walks on the website are created using OS Maps Online + you can download them to the OS Maps App. The section up Birchen Clough has a few scramble sections as you make your way up to the top, with one more challenging one (see photo below). Read full privacy policyhere. If the farmer isnt there youll have to follow the footpath a short distance down to Alport Bridge and then join Snake Road. Others named Kevin Clough. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. The Brook itself looks to fork into two scrambles but we took the right hand fork up.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-3','ezslot_17',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-3-0');At the top of the climb we had a snack break then followed the top path round Blackden Edge to the Seal Stones.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-4','ezslot_18',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-leader-4-0');We then took a steep descent down the hill next to Gate Side Clough this is very steep! Near the top your scramble up through rocks to reach the edge path. We quickly plotted this route on the OS map and then set off to walk it! This is the route up to The Trinnacle, which involves scrambling up the rocks littering the Clough to get to the top. Start on the left hand side, shortly cross over to the right at the obvious point and continue up, sticking to the rocks at the side, don't be tempted to stray up too much. Id been on a photography course in Snake Woodlands the day before though and they were so magical with the Autumn colours I knew we had to go back. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Resides in Los Angeles, CA . The path runs alongside Blackden Brook and climbs steadily, getting rockier as you head up. Please consider the safest option on your hike may be turning back and returning another day. The path leads back to the River Ashop, where we crossed the bridge. The best technique for a scramble route is to make sure your hands are free and use both your hands and legs to reach the top. Let me know in the comments, Walk type: Medium circular walk (challenging route in places), Walk highlights: Views across Dovestone Reservoir, waterfalls + scrambling up Birchen Clough, The Trinnacles, views along the edge, Alphin Pike, Stiles: 4 stone stiles (same 2 at the beginning) option to avoid, Car parking address: Binn Green car park, off Holmfirth Road, Oldham, OL3 7NN. Associate regional editor for 15 local news websites in Los Angeles County. Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk, parking details, route information, map and GPX file, plus a detailed step-by-step guide of the walk. Find out what maps you will need for your trip here. Best Kinder Scout Walks | Guides and GPX Files . So a last minute decision to meet up and clear our heads tu. All Rights Reserved. I hope this blog will give you some ideas of places to visit in the Peak District and inspire you and your family to head into the great outdoors. Ask me in the comments below. From Manchester, its approximately 15 miles/45 minutes taxi drive. If the farmer isnt there youll have to follow the footpath a short distance down to Alport Bridge and then join Snake Road. There is a small wooden bridge which leads to a path heading up the hill out of the woods, then we crossed the road back to the car park. This popular route up the south side of Kinder is more a bouldery walk, but does have a couple of interesting scrambling sections near the top, one of which graces the front cover of the book above. I will leave its Grade 3 neighbour, Wilderness Gully East, to more serious scramblers! Need more help planning your Peak District trip? Practice Areas . Unfortunately, the public toilets are now permanently closed at Binn Green car park, due to vandalism. Its all so engaging that time just passes it doesnt really feel like youre putting effort into climbing a mountain. There is a small wooden bridge which leads to a path heading up the hill out of the woods, then we crossed the road back to the car park. This can get busy at weekends so be sure to get there early. Ive been exploring 3 main areas of the Dark Peak Kinder, Bleaklow and the Chew Valley. Your email address will not be published. A brilliant 12-mile walk exploring the north part of the Peak District. Let me know in the comments. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "birchenclough" Flickr tag. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewanderingwildflower_co_uk-large-leaderboard-2-0');We reached Heyridge Farm, where the footpath carries on along the farm track to the north-east. Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with OS Online App. Much of the way you walk straight up the smooth rocky bed of the stream, the water never more than ankle deep. Walk: Birchen Clough car park, Snake road SK 10920 91431. The path runs along Lady Clough through the woodlands, then opens out into a clearing with a woodpile and a skip. Birchen Clough (Chew Valley) Start: lay-by on A635 at SE 051 063 I don't know the area around Saddleworth at all well, but this first excursion will have me back soon enough. If you want to try some other Peak District scrambles, why not try: Middle Black Clough Waterfall and Bleaklow Stones, Higher Shelf Stones via Ashton Clough Scramble, Kinder Downfall Walk via Nether Red Brook Scramble, Your email address will not be published. Welcome to The Wandering Wildflower, an outdoors lifestyle blog focusing on family walks in the Peak District, a place we love exploring. Grade 1 are OK to do on your own. Oyster Clough Cabin Walk Map:Parking:Birchen Clough Bridge car park, Snake Road, near Glossop (nearest postcode S33 0AB)Facilities: None there is sometimes the Wildman Cafe in the car park but Ive never seen him!Walk Time: 5-6 hoursDifficulty:Distance: 8.5 miles (13.8km)Trig PointsBagged: NonePeak District PeaksBagged: NonePeak District EthelsBagged: NoneBlackden Brook Scramble Walk Map:If you want to try some other Peak District scrambles, why not try:Crowden Clough to Kinder Scout WalkTorside Clough ScrambleMiddle Black Clough Waterfall and Bleaklow StonesHigher Shelf Stones via Ashton Clough ScrambleKinder Downfall Walk via Nether Red Brook Scramble. Dove Stone Reservoir: Beautiful walk, Wonderful view if you can climb. Managed a team of a dozen editors after serving as editor of . We headed for the sheepfold, where there is a stile leading to the footpath running adjacent to Cowms Moor and the former quarry or landslide which has made some peculiar looking spoil heaps there.