Scrambling up Birchen Clough under Saddleworth Moor. Summary verdict: a Peak District classic scramble – compact and engaging, and one to return to again and again.
Route in: park at Binn Green on the A635 and walk up past Yeoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoirs and then Greenfield Brook (or – shorter but more difficult – park on A635 Saddleworth Moor small car park and walk/clamber down Rimmon Pit Clough)
Start point: enter Birchen Clough just above the large pool by a footbridge at OS ref SE 03789 04964
Grading: there is one main waterfall which has a reasonable gradient but is so slippery that it’s a grade 2, alongside some smaller grade 1 falls
Notes: there are always hikers going up and down the path that runs alongside the brook, for those concerned about solo scrambling
End point: where a footpath runs west up towards Raven Stones at OS ref SE 03956 04661
Route out: scramble down the path on the east side of the brook, and then retrace your steps to the car park
Time: about 40 mins from CP to start point; about an hour to scramble up; then about 45 mins to walk back to the CP
Combine with: Holme Clough, Rimmon Pit Clough or any of those running into Greenfield or Yeoman Hey reservoirs
Gear: wet scramble gear including buoyancy vest (pools are occasionally out of your depth); maybe pop on a helmet for the main waterfall
Verdict: one of the best Peak District clough scrambles – quite compact with continuous rocks and cascades and pools plus the excellent main waterfall that’s a tough-but-just-doable challenge for the Grade 1 scrambler
Score: 8/10
Video guide:
Map:
Map image/data from OpenStreetMap
The Grade 1 Scrambler 
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