Kinder Scout
At 2,087 feet high, Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District, and the views from its plateaux are awe-inspiring in the truest sense of the words. Walking to the summit (at the inappropriately-titled Kinder Low) takes the visitor through a wide variety of different landscapes and perfectly illustrates the diversity of the Peak District.
A word of caution, please do not venture into the hills and moors around Kinder without adequate equipment, including appropriate clothing and footwear, a map and a compass. The Kinder Plateau can be a difficult area to navigate, particularly when you are away from any landmarks. Remember, also, that the weather can very quickly change in this part of the Peak District.
Kinder Downfall
Continuing beyond the summit, it is well worth taking a detour to see the spectacular Kinder Downfall. The River Kinder is only a small river, rising in the moorland on Kinder Scout, but on its three mile journey to join the River Sett it crashes down almost 100 feet to create this waterfall, the tallest in the Peak District.
When in full flow, particularly when there is a strong, westerly wind, the water blows back up the hillside, and the resulting cloud of spray can be seen from many miles away.
Mermaid’s Pool
Also worth a visit is Mermaid’s Pool, a small pool below Kinder Downfall, particularly if you happen to be out walking on Easter Saturday. Legend has it that the pool is inhabited by a mermaid who will grant immortality to anyone who catches sight of her on that day.
The Kinder Mass Trespass
On 24 April 1932 a group of over 400 peaceful protestors took to private land across Kinder Scout and joined in a coordinated ‘Mass Trespass’ to highlight the restrictions upon walking in open country. This action led directly to legislation that allowed people to walk freely on access land throughout the United Kingdom. It was also a contributory factor in the creation of the National Parks, the first of which was the Peak District. Each year a group of wardens and rangers from both the National Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority hold a walking event to mark the anniversary of the trespass.
