The Wild Outdoors

Tag: Peak District hikes

Exploring the Peak District’s hidden waterfalls; the Seven Waterfall Trail

April 9th, 2024
This 6.3km Peak District waterfall trail is a bit of a hidden gem and you’ll be treated to not one but SEVEN waterfalls tucked away on Arnfield Brook. However, there are definitely more of them as you head further upstream. The series of waterfalls come down from the moorland above and some are perfect for a wild swim. Get all the details and downloadable maps for the route here.

Where is the Peak District Waterfall Trail?

The walk starts from Arnfield Reservoir in Tintwistle and there is free parking on Crossgate Lane. The road is narrow so you’ll need to check you aren’t blocking access and that cars and tractors can pass. Once you’re all parked up, the route is simple to follow.

Walking route from Tintwistle

Walk straight up the road with the reservoir on your left until you pass Crossgate Farm campsite. Take a left here along Arnfield Lane. There are some lovely views back down to the reservoir and it’s just a 10 minute ish walk to some farm buildings on your right. Before the road bends around to the right is a sign showing the public footpath you want to follow. Head through the metal gate. Once you pass through the gate, stay on the wide path and head straight for the woodland in front of you. Pass through the woodland and after five minutes or so, keep an eye out for a small pile of stones and a path to the left.

Peak District Waterfall trail; finding the waterfalls

This path will lead you down to Arnfield Brook where the series of waterfalls starts. This can be a bit tricky to find as it isn’t signposted and there are a few little paths leading off to the left. I’d suggest checking the map or using the OS route to double check where you are.

To get to the waterfalls you need to come off the path and navigate down a steep bank to the river. This can also be slippery so extra care is definitely needed here to get down and back up again!

Once you’ve safely made it down to Arnfield Brook, you follow the stream which will involve some little scrambles.

There are a whole series of waterfalls and we found a quiet and secluded spot right by the brook to have some lunch. It was just below the shooting hut so if you’re checking a map, I definitely recommend that spot for a snack.

You can have a little wild swim/dip in quite a few of these but the water level will reduce during a spell of dry weather. If you want the pools to be a bit deeper, I’d probably head there after some rain!

Soon, it will be time to get your map out because you’ll need to navigate to the shooting cabin just above the brook.

There isn’t really a defined path and it is a little steep but it doesn’t last long. Once you’re at the cabin, it’s a nice easy walk back down the track.

The track leads down to a plantation of pine trees before reaching Arnfield Farm. When you reach the main road you have two options; left will take you back along the road you first walked on and right, following the river and the wall will lead you back to the reservoir.

This is a really beautiful route and one you’re likely to have to yourself or with very limited other people. Take the time to enjoy it as it isn’t very often you get a spot as beautiful as this so quiet!

Map and route for the Peak District Waterfall Trail

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Parking and start location on Crossgate Lane next to Arnfield Reservoir

2: Farm track through metal gate to get to Arnfield Brook

3: Section where you leave the main path to get down to Arnfield Brook at the waterfalls

4. Shooting cabin

5. Meeting point back with the road which will take you back to Arnfield Reservoir

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own. You can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

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Top Tips for the Seven Waterfalls Trail
- The roadside parking gets full quickly on a nice day so arrive early and park respectfully
- The path down to the brook is steep and slippery if wet so take extra caution here
- At the end of the brook, some navigation skills are needed to get to the shooting cabin
- There is a cafe at Arnfield Reservoir – perfect for a post-walk visit
Happy hiking!

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Stunning Walks in the Peak District: Chrome and Parkhouse Hill

March 4th, 2024
Nestled in a quiet corner of the Derbyshire hills in the Peak District lies a sleeping dragon whose spiky, grass covered back you can clamber across. But fear not, the dragon has fortunately lain asleep for millions of years and it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll wake anytime soon! This wonderful walk takes in the two jagged limestone hills of Parkhouse and Chrome Hill and as you look back over the dramatic ridge lines, it’s easy to see why it goes by the nickname of “The Dragon’s Back”. The route along these mini mountains that appear to burst through the ground from nowhere can be started from many different places but this route starts from the tiny village of Earl Sterndale and crosses over the top of both hills; be careful in wet weather as this can become an incredibly slippery and treacherous route.

Where is the Dragon’s Back in the Peak District and how do I walk there?

The quiet village of Earl Sterndale is your starting point for this route and the free roadside parking near The Quiet Woman Pub is your aim (it’s the pub with a painted sign of a decapitated barmaid!). The pub has been closed for a while now and there aren’t any other facilities here unfortunately. The pretty village is in the middle of some gorgeous Peak District countryside in the Upper Dove Valley in Derbyshire and is a popular starting point for walks, especially over to Dovedale.

Once you’ve found a suitable place to leave your car, there’s a signposted path out the back of the pub which leads across fields and along the side of Hitter Hill, a 362m little rounded peak and before descending down the hill towards the road you get some brilliant views of the two peaks you’ll soon be heading up.

Walking up Parkhouse Hill

The first peak of the route is Parkhouse Hill and the path winds steeply up the closest end to you. It requires some scrambling and sure footedness as well as a good level of fitness and it is steep on the way up! However, once you’re at the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views.

This unusual hill is actually the remains of a reef formed when the Peak District was covered by a tropical sea! It’s crazy to imagine that now as you walk along the top of the ridge and down onto lush, green farmland but this is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for it’s unusual geology and flora.

Most interestingly though, this is where a double sunset can sometimes be seen. From late March to early April and again in September, when the sun sets to the south of the hill it disappears and then appears to re-emerge again before finally disappearing at the foot of the hill. This was first captured by the photographer Chris Doherty and if you’d like to know how to maybe photograph this for yourself take a look at how to see it here.

Once you’re finally on the top of Parkhouse Hill, the walk is a traverse of the ridgeline. At the end, there is a very steep path down so I would only recommend this if you are confident with steep slopes. At the bottom, you’ll be close to the base of Chrome Hill and there isn’t much time to rest; it’s a quick cross of the track before hedging straight up the side of Chrome Hill.

Walking up Chrome Hill

Chrome Hill, the slightly larger “mini mountain” of the two hills, is another challenging leg burner with a steep incline to get to the summit. Be sure to look back here for incredible views and to see the dragon in all its beauty as well as sweeping views across the hills and farms which dot the landscape. It’s quite exposed and the wind can pick up so I’d definitely recommend wrapping up warm up here!

After you descend Chrome Hill, you’ll start heading back in the direction you came from but this time alongside the bottom of Chrome Hill and through farm land until you reach a farm track. Following this track all the way back and finally across some more fields, will take you back to the main road by Parkhouse Hill, where you can retrace your steps back into Earl Sterndale.

Map and key locations for Chrome and Parkhouse Hill

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Roadside parking in Earl Sterndale near The quiet Woman Inn

2: Beginning of the ascent up Parkhouse Hill

3: Beginning of the ascent up Chrome Hill

4. Flat walking back towards the starting point

Komoot Route

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for walking the Dragon’s Back
- Parking is limited in the village of Earl Sterndale and there are no facilities in the village
- In bad or wet weather, the ascents and descents of both Parkhouse and Chrome Hill can be incredibly slippery.
- There are some steep inclines if you want to head onto the top of each hill
- If you don’t want to walk onto the top of each hill, the views from the base are still beautiful
- If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an honesty hut in Hollinsclough which you can easily detour to. It sells lots of different refreshments and you can pay with cash and card.
Take a look at the route video here…

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Peak District hike: Fairbrook Naze scramble with secret wild swimming spot

November 27th, 2023
Fairbrook Naze, the rocky outcrop not far from the top of the similarly named brook; Fair Brook, lies 619m high on the northern edge of Kinder Scout. The hike to it is a wonderful Grade 1 scramble up Fair Brook itself and is packed with waterfalls and many swimming spots. The sweeping view from the top of Black Ashop Moor, Kinder Scout and Edale Moor is one not to be missed while exploring the Peak District. This route really has it all; an easy stroll through magical woodlands, a fun scramble, waterfalls aplenty to quench your thirst for a wild swim, vast moorland views, those crazy rock formations that the Peak District is known for and as it’s a less explored area, the chance of you having it to yourself is really quite high.

At a Glance

Difficulty: Moderate due to Grade 1 scrambling sections

Distance: 4.22km (one way). Option to retrace steps back down or create a longer loop once at the top of Fairbrook Naze.

Total ascent: 301m

Est Time: 1hr 30 mins (without swim stop and one way)

Starting location: Snake Woodlands parking

Parking Cost: Free

Dog friendly: Only if confident with grade 1 scrambles.

Key features: Beautiful woodland walk, well-marked and maintained paths, multiple wild swimming spots along the route, stunning views from the top.

*Please note: A grade 1 scramble is classed as an easy scramble with simple route finding and no requirement for technical skills or ropes but you may need to use your hands and this route definitely requires that. The route is slippery over the rocks and sure footedness is required as a slip could easily result in injury.

Fair Brook, one of the many brooks flowing down from the breathtaking and wild moorland that is the Kinder Scout plateau, eventually finds its way to the River Alport and down into the stunning Ladybower Reservoir. The scramble up Fair Brook is bouldery, slippery and a gentle uphill all the way but you’re rewarded at the end with a beautiful vantage point and, on a nice day, uninterrupted views in all directions.

Route Details for Fairbrook Naze in the Peak District

Starting at the Forestry England car park in Snake Woodlands, the route starts by crossing the main road and heading down into Snake Woodland. An area popular with countless Peak District visitors, the woodlands really hold that magical spirit with towering pine trees occasionally making space for the sun to shine on the forest floor, the River Alport tricking alongside for paddling and swimming in and quite often, families and lone campers camping out on the river banks.

Unfortunately, Snake Woodlands is regularly strewn with discarded disposable BBQs, beer cans, bags of rubbish and other, shall we say, human waste that is never nice to come across from these very campers. With the number one rule to wild camping being Leave No Trace, it is truly heartbreaking to see the outdoors being left in such a state. Be mindful that there are no facilities here and to take anything home with you that you brought in.

Continuing with the route, after crossing the road and heading into the woodlands, you’ll soon see a beautifully photogenic bridge to cross leading you further into the forest. Keeping the river on your right hand side, pass another bridge and carry on through the woodland. Eventually, you’ll come out at the end of the woods and the path will take you high onto a cliff edge looking down at the river.

As you carry on along this path, another bridge crossing the river will appear in front of you. As you cross this bridge, you’ll soon see a brook with a handy signpost signalling Fair Brook and the start of your route. At first, Fair Brook is a mere trickle and the path to your right heads off alongside it. Eventually, the small river will appear more powerful and you’ll start to see some potential swim spots. Keep an eye out to your left hand side for the perfect waterfall pools. With absolutely no self control, I decided to stop at the first one I found rather than going to investigate further up before deciding. The swim spot was nestled down a steep slope (but one which has a well trodden path down) which would be slippery in wet weather and was hidden behind an overhanging tree branch.

With a small waterfall flowing over the edge, the pool is deep enough for a few strokes and the wall of stones at the end could be classed as a small infinity pool if you really use your imagination! Once you’ve had your wild swim fix, head back up to the path and carry on following it uphill. This is where, if you’re a beady eyed swim spot hunter, you’ll find other swimming spots; choosing which one to dip in is the most challenging part of the hike you’ll have come across so far! As you gain height, the moorland path will lead you to spectacular views back down the valley before reaching a noticeably more rocky section which marks the beginning of the scramble.

As you approach the huge, imposing bouldery section, there is an easier path to the right but to really feel the scrambling experience, I opted for a simple “straight up and see what happens” route. The scramble itself is Grade 1, as mentioned above, meaning there’s no technical demands but it definitely requires use of your hands, with some big steps up, lots of pulling yourself up and it was incredibly slippery on some rocks even after a period of no rain.

The way up is obvious here but the route you choose will come down to personal preference as you clamber up and over the rocks. Eventually, it becomes less demanding and as you continue following the river up towards the flat plateau at the top.

Once you reach the top, head along the small path to your right and onto the interesting rocky outcrop of Fairbrook Naze. The views here are sensational and really encourages you to feel the wilderness of this area. It’s the perfect place for lunch to take everything in while looking back down on the scramble you’ve just completed.

Once you reach the plateau at the top, retracing your steps back down is an option but there are plenty of other routes to make this into a circular back to Snake Woodlands too which will require some independent planning. However, if, like me, you’re a big fan of a scramble, then I recommend linking this one with Nether Red Brook – keep an eye out for the next blog with all the details you’ll need to tie in the two scrambles to make an awesome day out in the Peaks.

Map and key locations for Fairbrook Naze

Access the route on the OS Map App here.

Locations

1: Roadside parking at Snake Woodlands

2: Footbridge below end of woodlands to cross over the river

3: A series of waterfall pools

4: Beginning of the steeper, rocky scrambling section

5: Top of Fairbrook Naze marking the end of the scramble

Komoot App

Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.

Top Tips for scrambling Fairbrook Naze
- The parking area in Snake Woodlands fills up quickly on a nice day so be sure to get there early or late in the day for any chance of parking
- There are no facilities on this route or in the car park
- The scramble is slippery in places and requires sure footedness and confidence on rough, scrambly terrain.
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, don’t forget to subscribe, check out my other blog posts here and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to be the first to hear about new UK routes, the best swimming spots, international adventure and ideas of things to do for your next adventure.

Happy adventuring!

Izzy

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