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Bleaklow Head via Pennine Way from Snake Pass summit

Bleaklow Head via Pennine Way from Snake Pass summit

Start/Finish

The top of the Snake Pass, the A57 between Sheffield and Glossop where there is usually plenty of verge parking although there is a drop of a few inches off the side of the road so take it slowly.

Distance/Time

6 km.    About 2 – 3 hours.

Peaks

Bleaklow Head, 633 m, SK 092 958.

OS Outdoor Leisure 1: Dark Peak.   OS 1 Sheet 110: Sheffield & Huddersfield

Introduction

This is a short walk in the Dark Peak which, in good weather has good views of the surrounding countryside especially Kinder to the south of the Snake Pass. Some of the going is boggy, even in a dry spell, and gaiters are recommended. The worst ground to walk on is on the Pennine Way. This walk can easily be accomplished on a short winter's day. It is recommended when the ground is frozen or in a long dry spell as that makes it less boggy! Navigation is not a problem even in mist. This is a linear there and back route.

Route

(1) Locate the Pennine Way sign pointing N at the Snake summit. Follow the obvious path to the signposted junction with the Doctor's Gate path. Continue ahead and soon reach a slabbed section. The route drifts out to the E before reaching the deep cut Hern Clough which is followed for a while. The path is obvious all the way even where it is boggy.In clear weather, the Hern Stones will be seen not long after Hern Clough. They are off to the left and are the only outcrop between Higher Shelf Stones and Bleaklow Head. Eventually the path levels off on the Bleaklow plateau a short distance before the large cairn which often has a stake sticking out of it. This is Bleaklow Head, 633 m. A stone marker post is at the cairn for those following the Pennine Way N down to Torside Clough but that is not part of this route.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 14th June, 2018.

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