Blackden Brook Scramble

Grade 1 Scramble, 5km, 3 hours, 410m total ascent

Nestling between the cities of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, the Peak District is one of the busiest National Parks in the UK, and Kinder Scout is probably its most popular hill. But this sprawling behemoth still has its secrets.

The northern slopes, rising from the A57 Snake Road, are undeveloped, overlooked and enchanting. This route begins from a scrappy lay-by but within minutes carries you into a tapering valley of waterfalls, plunge pools bronze and peat, and branching, wooded ravines. WIth a tantalising variety of scrambling options at the top.

It begins as a streamside ramble, hopping across as the mood takes you and water levels dictate. But as the path rises, so does the excitement. One somewhat exposed section above a tall, silvery waterfall is particularly memorable. Further up, where the younger brook finds its way between huge gritstone bould…