Kinder Low 31st August 2025

• 11.73km route
• Rucking with 20kgs
• route difficulty - Difficult. This was a challenging route with some big ascents a descent's. The path was good for the main, although there were some places where it got a bit technical.

 

We started at Hayfield, which is on the opposite side of Kinder Scout to Edale where the more popular routes start. The route took us up to Kinder Reservoir which appeared like a little oasis after a bit of a challenging ascent.

Soon after the reservoir, the 1st real ascent started which took you up and down over the bracken covered moorlands which were looking beautiful in the bright sunlight with patches of purple heather dotted amongst the green. 

As we climbed, the wind really picked up, and the path started to really challenge us at this point as it became quite a bit more rocky so we had to really concentrate on where we were putting our feet. All while Rosie was doing her Rosie thing and running and jumping all over the place, loving her weekend adventure up the next mountain! 

Once we got to the top, it was time for a well earned coffee and our breakfast. One of the best times of the week for us is having breakfast and a coffee with no one to be seen and surrounded by stunning views and the freshest of air. We put Rosie's warm coat on so she didn't get chilly from the wind (she ruins round like a loon so keeps pretty warm when we're moving).

We continued on over the Kinder Plateau, picking up the Pennine Way to Kinder Downfall, then heading along the ridgeline to Kinder Low. One of the great things about following the the Pennine way along the ridgeline is the amazing views across the peaks, you can just see endless rolling hills as far as the eye can see. 

After Kinder Low, we cut off the Pennine Way and started our decent back down towards Hayfield. The climb up the the Plateau was a real glute burner, but now it was time to give our quads a good working over!! The route is really clear, but still a nice challenge, with one section of natural (steep) steps which seem to go on for ever. Once you complete the descent down the steps, you are back out on to open farmland, all green and glossy in the sun, before heading past some lovely tucked away cottages just outside Hayfield.

As we always say, to get the amazing views we love so much, you have to earn then with an ascent, and this ruck didn't disappoint on either of them. Stunning views and great challenging climbs. If you want a good challenger we highly recommend this route.