Region: Peak District
Start at: Edale
Circular Route Grid ref: SK123855
Distance: 17.3 kilometres
Total ascent: 624 meters
Approx. time needed: 5 hrs 21 mins
Edale Circuit
From the main car park walk take the road into the village, passing the Tourist Information Centre to reach The Nag’s Head pub. Shortly after the pub turn right at the “Grindsbrook” signpost to a wooden bridge and a gate onto open moorland. Follow the right hand side of Grinds Brook, on a well paved route through open fields and where the path divides stick to the paved route, which slowly climbs through trees. The path eventually descends slightly to another gate and a small stream on the right. From this point on the route climbs the ever narrowing Grindsbrook as it curves round to the left, getting steadily rougher underfoot as the valley narrows. As the path and brook curve to the left the edge of the plateau comes into view, and the route splits with the left hand side climbing to the rocks of Fox Holes.
From here the main path heads west on a well paved path to Crowden Tower.
From Crowden Tower the path sweeps round the southern edge of the Kinder Plateau, heading west and passing Pym Chair and Edale Head to be joined by the path from Kinder Low and the Downfall. The path now drops more steeply to junction, with Edale Cross a few yards off to your right, before climbs briefly to Brown Knoll. The next mile and three quarters takes the path across open moorland offering respite from the constant ups and downs as it crosses over the Cowburn Tunnel that carries the Manchester to Sheffield railway. The path then heads left to ascend the gentle slopes of Rushop Edge.
After a mile Rushop Edge descends to Mam Nick, a notch in the Rushop Edge/Mam Tor ridge used by the Edale to Castleton road. Cross the road and go through the gate by the National Trust sign then take the short paved ascent to Mam Tor. The majority of the route is now downhill., taking the ridge east from Mam Tor, dropping to a path junction at Hollins Cross. The paths can get a little confusing here, and the one you want is the first on the left, almost going back on itself at first, to a fork part way down the slope. Go straight ahead at the fork, using the village of Edale as a marker, and descend to the Hope to Edale road. Cross the road and take the short path directly opposite to emerge in the village centre and turn back left for the start point or take in one of the two village pubs or Information Centre while you’re there.