Hayfield Kinder Low End RFM Blue Line Walking with the Kids

 

Hayfield Kinder Low End 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with the Kids

30/06/25

The weather forecast was for cloudy skies until lunchtime but for the afternoon to be hot. This is one of  the hottest days of the year for the south but not for the north west. Blue skies and warm even at 9.00 was not what I wanted but we were here had plenty of water so onwards and upwards. I had warned Max and Lacey that this would be a day of 1700 foot of ascent and would be testing. They were both happy to do it. Lacey has plenty of miles in here legs but Max much less so. We had a nice stroll to the start alongside the River Kinder next to the caravan site. 

A lovely Red Admiral butterfly and a shady path were welcome sights.

The shady Pennine Bridleway almost immediately started to climb quite sharply giving us a sweaty start to the walk.

The hills in the distance can seem quite daunting form these lower levels but they are never as far away as they look. In a few hours we would be up there.

I just love a field full of black cows they are so cute. But back to the task at hand ascending this steep bridleway.

The views from the bridleway towards Kinder Scout were splendid just ...really ..well.. splendid. 

I saw what looked like a path heading up the green slope and thought it couldn't be ours because it looked almost impassable. However Komoot confirmed it was the route when I walked past 10 metres looking for another way and passed the turn mark on the map. The view on the right gives an idea of the slope. This was definitely a head down and watch your feet slope. The kids followed me up safely and I was relieved we didn't have a mishap. This is the point though, its not a sanitised safe ramble its an adventure and some danger is part of that. The kids will be stronger for getting over these challenges as will I.

The views over the valley from the ridge down to Coldwell Clough don't need commentary. I always think that Yorkshire has the best Pennine Views but I am wrong these are just as brilliant.

This sheep was bleating madly and there was an answering bleat from the valley bottom. We were concerned it was going to jump, presumably as it got up there it got back down.

Ridges are always interesting and this one was no exception.

On one side Manchester in the distance and on the other Kinder Scout also in the distance.

On one side cows and green fields on the other Max making his way up another tough little ascent.

Lacey following and the rocky path to the top of the last little high point of the ridge.

Lacey and Max descending the last mini mount. We stopped and had a chat with 4 girls doing the Duke of Edinburgh 3 day walk. They had heavy packs but were happy they were on the final day. We complimented them on their achievements and wished them luck for the rest of the day.

We had to descend to the valley floor before ascending Kinder Scout. It felt a bit cruel on the kids but the way is the way.

This slope was another tough ask and in places it was sideways crab to get down. We passed a group of black cows cooling off in a muddy part of the valley.

This was the shady bottom of the slope. 

The 2 boys watched us as we passed safe on the road below them. They were very big but docile although one was using a low branch as a back scratcher.

The ascent up Oaken Clough to Edale Cross was a hard, long almost never ending upward path, at least it was dry. We were passed by loads of Duke of Edinburgh kids and chatted to most. They were in the main, happy but looking forward to finishing.

The last stretch to Edale Cross was tough but did start giving us a view over the hill into Edale.

From Edale Cross our route took us across the grassy slope below the rocks on Swine's Back until we joined the Pennine Way just below Edale Rocks.

We could see the top of Jacob's Ladder and stopped to view and discuss that climb. Lacey and I had done it last year on one of our walks. Looking forward there were plenty of ramblers on the Pennine Way. 

Its awesome being up here but we still had a way to go to get to the top.

Finally after a long arduous climb we reached Kinder Low Trig point. The best lunch stop on the hill and always a place to have conversations with strangers. A real sociable place for walkers.

We had a good long stop to let the legs recover a bit. I was proud of Max as he had been knackered for a long time but still got his dead legs to the top, well done you. I am sure Lacey helped him by chivvying him along.

I had seen a lizard on the way up and on the way back down there were lots of hairy caterpillars.

The high level walk to Kinderlow End gave us a great views.

I gave the unnecessary safety talk before we tackled the steep descent down the end of the spur. 

Lacey and Max slowly followed me down without incident. This is a great descent but it is vertiginous so a test for the fear of heights. Passable with care is the watch word.

As we dropped down the slope Kinderlow End loomed over us.

The views on this route of the plateau were special.

More great views on the way down but by now the kids were more interesting in just getting off  the hill. We shared the last of our water and the little chap on the right entertained us as it reacted in an almost human way to our conversation with it. A little light relief helped the heavy legs.

The route back to the car was mercifully shaded but still a long final mile.

This is a great walk and I would highly recommend it but it is not easy, be prepared for a long uphill slog and some dodgy slopes.

7.20     miles

1750    feet ascent

02:44   hours mins walking time

2.6     mph

2242    feet highest point of the walk.

We took about 4 hours to complete the walk as we had a lot of stops on the ascent. The 1750 feet ascent is good but it needs to get higher to prepare for the coast to coast walk to come.

Next week another tough one to come, hope its a bit cooler.