Bleaklow via Snake Pass

A nice place for a walk from the A57, just up from Glossop. You could also visit the B29 bomber crash site and pay your respects to the American aircrew that lost their lives in the crash. This is quite and easy walk. There are just a few gradual ascents, but nothing too difficult.

This is a very easy walk to the top of the 2nd highest peak in the Peak district. Park on the side of the road (snake pass) near the bus stop - this is where the walk starts. You are exposed to the elements (rain, wind, sun) as you cross the open landscape, so be prepared with suitable clothing, footwear, etc. Depending on the amount of rain fallen in the preceeding days will make a difference on how boggy the walk will be. As you make your way to the 'peak' (which is not much of a peak) you will pass several stone outcrops that offer a point of interest. Also listen out for red grouse, golden plover or skylark, which can be heard regularly. Another point of interest is an aircraft crash site near the 'Shelf stones'.

Bleaklow Plateau is my favourite part of the "Dark Peak", the northern half of the Peak District characterised by gritstone geology, heather and peat moorlands. Bleaklow is less visited and busy than the more popular Kinder Plateau (which contains the high point of the Peak District) Bleaklow has a brooding, foreboding atmosphere; remote and challenging often draped in fog and mist. There are multiple routes on to the plateau, with several excellent walking routes and some of the best scrambling the peak district has to offer. It can be accessed from the North from Torside reservoir (there are several parking options there - one of which is pay and display). This allows you to try one of the up the north face of the plateau, including the excellent Grade 3 scramble up Wildboar Clough (a serious undertaking, with several challenging pitches), Torside Clough (a lovely Grade 1 scramble) and several others. There is an easier route (along part of the Pennine Way) up the western side of Torside Clough that meanders up the hill and on to the plateau, where you can then head towards the high point at Bleaklow Head. During a cold snap, these north-facing approaches really catch the cold, and you can find massive icicles and frost in the frozen cloughs. Snake Pass (A57) has a long layby to park up on, and as this road reaches a height of 500m, you can park there and access Bleaklow with less ascent and effort required. The Pennine way runs North from Snake Pass and is well paved for the most part, making it more accessible than the hikes from the North and giving easier access to the summit. This also gives you access via an hours walk to the B29 Bomber Crash site around Higher Shelf Stones. This is the remains and wreckage of a B29 which crashed into the moors at Snake Summit in 1948. The remains include an engine turbine and a portion of the body of the plane. Snake Pass also gives access to “Doctors Gate Path” which is a rugged downhill valley path that goes all the way to Glossop, but it also provides access to a few other scrambles up Yellowslacks Brook and Ashton Clough. It is worth noting that "summit" is a strong word in this case, as Bleaklow is a plateau, the summit is more of a very subtle mound. That said, it is worth visiting for the remote feel. Whilst there are pathways marked across Google Maps this is serious ground with bogs and peat hags. Without wishing to sound dramatic, straying from the path in any weather would be a bad idea and a map and compass is essential just in case. the weather down in the valley could well be sunshine and warmth, but up on the Bleaklow Plateau the weather can be very different, and one can quickly find oneself in difficulty – cold, wet, windy, misty weather with zero landmarks to navigate by. For the well-equipped hiker, and confident navigator there is lots to see and explore. Pick up an OS map of the area and seek out the bizarrely named spots across the moor; Featherbed Moss, Grinah Stones, The Swamp, Jame’s Thorn, Devil’s Dike, Ferny Hole and Cock Hill! I have been here more than 20 times in every type of weather and more than once has it been “touch and go”. But every visit has been exhilarating and inspiring and I still feel like there is so much to see. My favourite spot on Bleaklow is at Dog Rock (it has an entry on Google Maps) which is a remote, photogenic valley with a lovely place to stop for lunch. Difficult to access and in the middle of nowhere, it has a special place in my heart.

I loved this walk as it is asy but strenuous at the same time. You can find certain places to park along the way. Just sheep and zero people when I was there so not a lot of traffic and I like that. I fully recommend this walk-in natural nature.

Lovely winter walk around Bleaklow. Challenging in the snow be careful going off route as it is very marshy and you will fall a couple of feet downward if not careful. Stunning views around and at the summit if climbing Bleaklow. Definitely recommend in the winter.