recommended route
Edale to Torside
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Look out for markers along the way - photo courtesy of our customer David Arthur StottPhoto: Laura Paterson, Macs Adventure
There's no easing in to the Pennine Way - your first day has the second most ascent of any day on the route and starts with a tough climb up Jacob's Ladder to Kinder Low, followed by a challenging traverse of Kinder Scout. In good weather however you'll enjoy extensive views once you reach Kinder Downfall.
The path improves hereafter and you'll be able to appreciate the work that has gone into improving the path as you follow the reclaimed mill stone path from Mill Hill to Snake Pass (before the path was laid you would have to navigate the knee deep bog!).
Another climb follows once you cross the road to Bleaklow Head before you descend to Torside Reservoir following the valley down the course of Torside Clough.
Author’s recommendation
The accommodation we use for this evening is all located off the path and we will have arranged a taxi to come and pick you up from where the path crosses the B6105 to take you to your accommodation. They will return you back to the same point the following morning. Please refer to your included documentation and itinerary for details.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
The Old Nag's HeadThe Rambler Inn
Penny Pot Cafe
Safety information
There are a couple of brief steep rocky sections along today's stage. Take care as the rock can be particularly slippery when wet.
From Kinder Low navigation can be tricky, particularly in poor conditions as the path is wide and rock-strewn. Watch out for the occasional stone cairns to keep you right but if in doubt and in poor weather use of the map and GPS track will help. At Bleaklow Head, ensure you look out for the two stone block markers beside the large cairn to keep you right.
Please take care while crossing the A57 road at Snake Pass as there can be fast moving traffic along the road.
Maps
If you wish to carry a hardcopy map, we would recommend buying the Pennine Way map published by Harvey Maps. They publish a map for both the North and South section of the walk so if you are doing the full walk you will need both. Alternatively, you may wish to print the daily maps directly from our app.
Guidebook
If you wish to bring a guidebook, we would recommend Trailblazer's Pennine Way by Stuart Greig & Henry Stedman.
Tips and hints
Please see the interactive map for notable points of interest. Click the icons on the map for more information.
Points of Interest
Edale rocks
After ascending Jacob's Ladder you will reach the impressive boulders known as Edale Rocks. Once you reach these looming rocks you know your not far from the first summit of Kinder Low.
Kinder Scout
The plateau of Kinder Scout is essential a giant peat bog. It was the sight of a mass tresspass in 1932 which stemmed the public rights of access movement and the right to roam we enjoy today essentially giving birth to long distance walking trails like the Pennine Way which we enjoy today. Until the early 2000's the Pennine Way climbed Kinder Scout more directly from Edale and you were left to find you own way across the unforgiving peat bog. Fortunately there is a good stone path from across from Mill Hill these days - greatly reducing the chance you will want to give up by the end of day one!
Kinder Downfall
Though little more than a trickle in the summer months, this is the tallest waterfall in the Peak district - and you've just walked right across the top off it! During the winter the waterfall in spate is a more impressive sight and in the right wind conditions the cloud of spray produced can be seen for miles around. There is also a small pool at the bottom of the waterfall known as Mermaid's Pool. Legend has it the pool is inhabited by a mermaid who will grant immortality to whoever sees her on Easter Eve (though there is no one living who claims to have seen the mermaid...).
Food & Drink
Ensure you take plenty with you for your first day walking as options are very limited along the route.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
*** To help you follow the route with confidence we have provided full written turn by turns to aid you on your walk from Edale to Torside. Whilst the Pennine Way is waymarked it can be featureless and off the beaten path at some sections so we strongly suggest that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day. The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***
0.00km – START from the Old Nag’s Head inn in Edale. With your back to the inn TURN RIGHT and walk up the lane at the signpost marking the start of the Pennine Way. Follow the path uphill as it runs parallel to the small stream to the right.
0.30km – Continue STRAIGHT ON through the gate then BEAR LEFT up the steps through another gate and into a field. Follow the stone slab path through the fields passing through gates where necessary.
2.10km – Pass through the gate and continue STRAIGHT ON the gravel track to the hamlet of Upper Booth. Follow the gravel road through Upper Booth, ignoring the left turn signed as a public footpath.
2.20km – TURN RIGHT at the T-junction on to the lane following the Pennine Way signpost and continue across the bridge over the stream.
2.90km – At the end of the road continue STRAIGHT ON the gravel track, passing through a gate.
4.00km – Cross the small bridge over the stream then BEAR RIGHT up Jacobs Ladder.
4.30km – BEAR RIGHT at the large stone cairn and follow the path as it continues uphill.
4.85km – BEAR RIGHT onto the stone path at the fork.
5.15km – BEAR RIGHT on the main stone slab path.
5.30km – BEAR LEFT at the cairn on the main stone path.
5.60km – Continue STRAIGHT ON the path towards Kinder Low summit as you pass Edale rocks on your left.
5.90km – BEAR LEFT on the narrow path just after the trig point at Kinder Low summit.
6.05km – BEAR RIGHT joining another path at the small cairn marker. The path can be narrow and somewhat vague in places as you cross large rocks, however there are cairns every so often to aid navigation in poor conditions for the next couple of kilometres.
7.00km – Cross the stream and continue STRAIGHT ON the path.
8.05km – TURN LEFT and cross stream at Kinder Downfall at the top of the cliff face. Follow the well defined path as it passes through a couple of gates.
9.50km – TURN RIGHT at the fork in the path heading away from Kinder reservoir, ignoring the path straight ahead heading down towards the reservoir.
10.30km – BEAR LEFT on the established path heading steeply downhill at a large cairn.
10.55km – BEAR RIGHT at the bottom of the steep decline on to the rocky path, ignoring the stone slab path to the left. Follow the path STRAIGHT ON past the Snake Inn markerpost.
11.10km – TURN RIGHT once you reach Mill Hill summit marked by a small cairn and with an acorn marker stone. Follow the stone slab path across the peat bog until you reach the A57 road at Snakes Pass.
15.15km – Take care crossing the road and continue STRAIGHT ON the gravel path on the other side.
15.60km – Continue STRAIGHT ON the main path at the crossroads with the wooden waymarker post.
17.60km – Ignore the path leading up to the left and cross the small stream. Follow the path STRAIGHT ON crossing the small stream several times.
19.20km – When you reach the cairn and pole at Bleaklow summit BEAR LEFT where the path forks just behind the summit following the acorn waymarkers.
20.95km – Follow the path as it leads to the convergence of two small streams. TURN LEFT crossing the stream and follow the path uphill on the other side. Continue STRAIGHT ON at the waymarker at the top of the bank.
21.05km – Continue STRAIGHT ON the rocky path past the remains of a building to the right.
21.45km – Pass through the gate in the fence and continue STRAIGHT ON.
21.50km – BEAR RIGHT on the path ignoring the left-hand path partially blocked by a wooden barrier.
23.65km – BEAR LEFT on to a stony track at the public footpath sign. Follow the track downhill through a field.
23.85km – TURN LEFT on to the gravel road at the Pennine Way signpost.
24.50km – FINISH at the small parking area when the gravel road reaches the B6105 road.
*** This is the end of our Edale to Torside route, use your included documentation to find your overnight accommodation ***
Coordinates
Equipment
Hiking boots, warm and waterproof clothing are all required for the Pennine Way. The weather can be change quickly and even in the summer months it can be cold on the higher and more exposed sections of the route. Walking poles would also be beneficial to help with some of the tougher sections.
Ensure your phone is charged and you have a back up battery pack just in case. Always take plenty of food and fluids for a day’s walking as cafés and inns along the route are not always guaranteed to be open.
Statistics
- 6 Waypoints
- 6 Waypoints
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