Hayfield via William Clough up Kinder Scout: route map, distance and time
636 m · Peak District
Kinder Scout is the highest ground in the Peak District, a gritstone plateau above Edale and Hayfield known for Kinder Downfall and the Mass Trespass.
A track passes Kinder Reservoir and climbs William Clough to the western edge, then south to Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low.
Hayfield via William Clough at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 427 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Bowden Bridge car park, Hayfield |
| Start grid reference | SK 048 869 |
| Summit grid reference | SK 084 875 |
Hayfield via William Clough map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Sportsman0.5 km
- Pack Horse1.2 km
- George Hotel1.2 km
- Millie's Bed & Breakfast1.2 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Hayfield via William Clough takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 5m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:40, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:35 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:41, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:33 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Kinder Scout summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 94% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:40, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:41, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Hayfield via William Clough: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 35 mph and a 42% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 39% (Marginal), best around 08:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Kinder Scout forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Kinder Scout?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Peak District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 94% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 32 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout is the highest ground in the Peak District, a gritstone plateau above Edale and Hayfield known for Kinder Downfall and the Mass Trespass. More about Kinder Scout, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Challenges that include Kinder Scout
Other routes up Kinder Scout
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edale via Jacob's Ladder | 6.3 km one way | 419 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Edale via Grindsbrook Clough | 7.0 km one way | 402 m | 2h 5m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SK 048 869, the summit at SK 084 875), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Hayfield via William Clough: questions and answers
How far is Hayfield via William Clough?
Hayfield via William Clough is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Kinder Scout, with 427 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does Hayfield via William Clough take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Kinder Scout and 2h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Hayfield via William Clough?
Hayfield via William Clough starts from Bowden Bridge car park, Hayfield. The grid reference is SK 048 869.
Is Hayfield via William Clough suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Hayfield via William Clough today?
By 14:35 at the latest. Sunset on Kinder Scout today is 18:05, Hayfield via William Clough takes about 2h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Hayfield via William Clough?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).