Bleaklow via Snake Pass
This demanding Peak District walk explores the high gritstone moorland plateau of Bleaklow, one of the Dark Peak’s most remote summits. The route follows the Pennine Way from Snake Pass, ascending through Lady Clough woods before reaching the exposed moorland. Navigation is challenging in poor visibility due to featureless terrain and peat hags. Walkers will encounter dramatic rock formations at Higher Shelf Stones and Higher Shelf Stones trig point, with panoramic views stretching to the North York Moors and Cheshire Plain on clear days. The route passes near the wreckage of a B-29 Superfortress aircraft that crashed in 1948.
This is a rough, boggy walk requiring good navigation skills, proper moorland equipment, and careful route planning. It suits experienced fell walkers; winter ascents are not recommended for inexperienced parties. The wild, featureless terrain gives Bleaklow its distinctive character and appeal to those seeking solitude and atmospheric moorland walking.
Reviews
A nice place for a walk from the A57, just up from Glossop. You could also visit the B29 bomber crash site and pay your respects to the American aircrew that lost their lives in the crash. This is quite and easy walk. There are just a few gradual ascents, but nothing too difficult.
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FAQ
Is this walk suitable for children or beginners?
This is a challenging moorland hike best suited to older children and adults with some walking experience. The terrain is boggy, uneven, and at times pathless, and navigation can be very difficult in poor visibility, so it is not recommended for young children or complete beginners.
How busy does it get, and when is the best time to go?
Trailgoers report the route is generally not too busy compared to more popular Peak District walks. Visiting on a weekday or outside of summer weekends gives you the best chance of a quiet experience; conditions are also much firmer in a long dry spell or when the ground is frozen, making for easier and more enjoyable walking.
What should I wear and bring?
Sturdy waterproof walking boots and gaiters are strongly recommended as the ground is boggy even in dry weather. Pack extra layers, a waterproof jacket, food and water, a map (OS OL1 Dark Peak), and a compass, as moorland weather can change dramatically and mobile signal is unreliable on the plateau.
Do I need to book, or can I just turn up?
No booking is required, this is open-access moorland in the Peak District National Park and you can simply turn up and start walking. Just check weather forecasts before you go, as conditions on the high moor can deteriorate quickly.
Where do I park, and is it free?
Parking is available in a free lay-by along the A57 Snake Pass summit. It is a small lay-by and spaces can fill quickly on busy days, so arrive early; note that some sections of the road now have double yellow lines, so check carefully before parking.
Can I get here by public transport?
The nearest train station is Glossop, approximately 4 miles away, but there are currently no public transport links from there directly to the Snake Pass trailhead. Most visitors arrive by car via the A57 between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir.
Is the route accessible for wheelchair users, and are dogs allowed?
The route is not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs due to rough, boggy, and uneven moorland terrain. Dogs are welcome on the trail, but keep them under control as roaming livestock may be present on the moor.
Trail details
Winter ascents not recommended for inexperienced walkers; boggy terrain; variable visibility on moorland
Getting there
Business Info
- Snake Pass, A57
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Reviews 4.6 · 5 reviews
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Posted on Google
A nice place for a walk from the A57, just up from Glossop. You could also visit the B29 bomber crash site and pay your respects to the American aircrew that lost their lives in the crash. This is quite and easy walk. There are just a few gradual ascents, but nothing too difficult.
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Posted on Google
This is a very easy walk to the top of the 2nd highest peak in the Peak district. Park on the side of the road (snake pass) near the bus stop - this is where the walk starts. You are exposed to the elements (rain, wind, sun) as you cross the open landscape, so be prepared with suitable clothing, footwear, etc. Depending on the amount of rain fallen in the preceeding days will make a difference on how boggy the walk will be. As you make your way to the 'peak' (which is not much of a peak) you will pass several stone outcrops that offer a point of interest. Also listen out for red grouse, golden plover or skylark, which can be heard regularly. Another point of interest is an aircraft crash site near the 'Shelf stones'.
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Posted on Google
Bleaklow Plateau is my favourite part of the "Dark Peak", the northern half of the Peak District characterised by gritstone geology, heather and peat moorlands. Bleaklow is less visited and busy than the more popular Kinder Plateau (which contains the high point of the Peak District) Bleaklow has a brooding, foreboding atmosphere; remote and challenging often draped in fog and mist. There are multiple routes on to the plateau, with several excellent walking routes and some of the best scrambling the peak district has to offer. It can be accessed from the North from Torside reservoir (there are several parking options there - one of which is pay and display). This allows you to try one of the up the north face of the plateau, including the excellent Grade 3 scramble up Wildboar Clough (a serious undertaking, with several challenging pitches), Torside Clough (a lovely Grade 1 scramble) and several others. There is an easier route (along part of the Pennine Way) up the western side of Torside Clough that meanders up the hill and on to the plateau, where you can then head towards the high point at Bleaklow Head. During a cold snap, these north-facing approaches really catch the cold, and you can find massive icicles and frost in the frozen cloughs. Snake Pass (A57) has a long layby to park up on, and as this road reaches a height of 500m, you can park there and access Bleaklow with less ascent and effort required. The Pennine way runs North from Snake Pass and is well paved for the most part, making it more accessible than the hikes from the North and giving easier access to the summit. This also gives you access via an hours walk to the B29 Bomber Crash site around Higher Shelf Stones. This is the remains and wreckage of a B29 which crashed into the moors at Snake Summit in 1948. The remains include an engine turbine and a portion of the body of the plane. Snake Pass also gives access to “Doctors Gate Path” which is a rugged downhill valley path that goes all the way to Glossop, but it also provides access to a few other scrambles up Yellowslacks Brook and Ashton Clough. It is worth noting that "summit" is a strong word in this case, as Bleaklow is a plateau, the summit is more of a very subtle mound. That said, it is worth visiting for the remote feel. Whilst there are pathways marked across Google Maps this is serious ground with bogs and peat hags. Without wishing to sound dramatic, straying from the path in any weather would be a bad idea and a map and compass is essential just in case. the weather down in the valley could well be sunshine and warmth, but up on the Bleaklow Plateau the weather can be very different, and one can quickly find oneself in difficulty – cold, wet, windy, misty weather with zero landmarks to navigate by. For the well-equipped hiker, and confident navigator there is lots to see and explore. Pick up an OS map of the area and seek out the bizarrely named spots across the moor; Featherbed Moss, Grinah Stones, The Swamp, Jame’s Thorn, Devil’s Dike, Ferny Hole and Cock Hill! I have been here more than 20 times in every type of weather and more than once has it been “touch and go”. But every visit has been exhilarating and inspiring and I still feel like there is so much to see. My favourite spot on Bleaklow is at Dog Rock (it has an entry on Google Maps) which is a remote, photogenic valley with a lovely place to stop for lunch. Difficult to access and in the middle of nowhere, it has a special place in my heart.
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Posted on Google
I loved this walk as it is asy but strenuous at the same time. You can find certain places to park along the way. Just sheep and zero people when I was there so not a lot of traffic and I like that. I fully recommend this walk-in natural nature.
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Posted on Google
Lovely winter walk around Bleaklow. Challenging in the snow be careful going off route as it is very marshy and you will fall a couple of feet downward if not careful. Stunning views around and at the summit if climbing Bleaklow. Definitely recommend in the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this walk suitable for children or beginners?
This is a challenging moorland hike best suited to older children and adults with some walking experience. The terrain is boggy, uneven, and at times pathless, and navigation can be very difficult in poor visibility, so it is not recommended for young children or complete beginners.
How busy does it get, and when is the best time to go?
Trailgoers report the route is generally not too busy compared to more popular Peak District walks. Visiting on a weekday or outside of summer weekends gives you the best chance of a quiet experience; conditions are also much firmer in a long dry spell or when the ground is frozen, making for easier and more enjoyable walking.
What should I wear and bring?
Sturdy waterproof walking boots and gaiters are strongly recommended as the ground is boggy even in dry weather. Pack extra layers, a waterproof jacket, food and water, a map (OS OL1 Dark Peak), and a compass, as moorland weather can change dramatically and mobile signal is unreliable on the plateau.
Do I need to book, or can I just turn up?
No booking is required, this is open-access moorland in the Peak District National Park and you can simply turn up and start walking. Just check weather forecasts before you go, as conditions on the high moor can deteriorate quickly.
Where do I park, and is it free?
Parking is available in a free lay-by along the A57 Snake Pass summit. It is a small lay-by and spaces can fill quickly on busy days, so arrive early; note that some sections of the road now have double yellow lines, so check carefully before parking.
Can I get here by public transport?
The nearest train station is Glossop, approximately 4 miles away, but there are currently no public transport links from there directly to the Snake Pass trailhead. Most visitors arrive by car via the A57 between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir.
Is the route accessible for wheelchair users, and are dogs allowed?
The route is not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs due to rough, boggy, and uneven moorland terrain. Dogs are welcome on the trail, but keep them under control as roaming livestock may be present on the moor.