Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England

Kinder Scout
conditions & visit score

Kinder Scout's 1932 Mass Trespass opened the hills to the public — its boggy plateau and dramatic edges are the birthplace of English access rights. RambleMetric tells you when conditions are safe enough to take advantage of them.

🏔️Ground conditions
💧River levels
🚌Live transport
🍃Air quality
⚠️ England's highest moorland plateau — deep peat bogs, featureless in cloud, sudden weather changes, navigation required

About Kinder Scout

Plan your visit with confidence

RambleMetric is a real-time conditions app for Kinder Scout — the highest point of the Peak District (636 m) and England's most famous moorland. The scene of the 1932 Mass Trespass that led directly to the creation of the national park system. A vast peat plateau with dramatic edges, grough systems and the iconic Kinder Downfall waterfall.

Kinder Scout is a serious upland. The plateau is deeply boggy, featureless in cloud and requires navigation skills. Weather changes rapidly — warm sunshine in Edale can mean driving rain and wind on the plateau. The Pennine Way crosses the plateau — experienced walkers only. Many walkers require assistance each year on Kinder.

Activities & Tours

Things to do near Kinder Scout

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Walking Routes

Suggested walks at Kinder Scout

Check the live Visit Score before you set out — conditions here change fast.

Hard 16 km 5–6 hrs
Classic — Kinder Scout Circuit

England's most famous moorland walk. Deep peat, navigation required, rapid weather changes. Gaiters essential. Outstanding in clear summer conditions.

Plan Your Visit

Explore & book for Kinder Scout

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Key Features

What to see at Kinder Scout

1932 Mass Trespass

On 24 April 1932, around 400 walkers trespassed on Kinder Scout in a planned act of civil disobedience to demand access to open moorland. The Trespass directly led to the creation of the national park system and the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

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Kinder Downfall

In strong westerlies, the water of England's highest waterfall (30 m) is blown back upwards in a spectacular 'upfall'. A winter classic to witness — accessible from the western edge of the plateau.

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Kinder Reservoir

Built in 1912 to supply Stockport — the reservoir dam at the southern foot of Kinder marks the start of the Jacob's Ladder approach. Red grouse are abundant on the surrounding moors.

Live Data

What RambleMetric monitors here

All data is fetched from authoritative UK sources and recalculated every few minutes.

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Weather & Wind
Open-Meteo · hourly
🏔️
Ground Conditions
Open-Meteo LSM · hourly
💧
River Levels
EA Hydrology API · live
🚌
Live Transport
TransportAPI · NaPTAN
🍃
Air Quality & Pollen
Open-Meteo AQ
⚠️
Flood Alerts
Environment Agency · live

Safety Information

Before you go

⛑️ Important safety notes

Edale is the main starting village — excellent cafés, pubs and the Peak District Visitor Centre. The classic route is via Jacob's Ladder to the southern edge then the plateau to Kinder Downfall. The Pennine Way ascent from Edale via Grindsbrook Clough is steeper. The plateau is deeply boggy between the drainage grooves (groughs) — gaiters are strongly recommended. Map and compass essential on the plateau in cloud.

All data, scores and recommendations are for informational purposes only. The Visit Score is an algorithmic estimate — not a substitute for your own judgement, local knowledge or official guidance.

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Kinder Scout — live Visit Score

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