Blackden Brook

A guide to scrambling Blackden Brook under Kinder Plateau in the High Peak. Summary verdict: brilliant Grade 1.5 main waterfall and decent Grade 1 side fall half-way up the lower brook but otherwise little in the lower half and mediocre for the final scramble

Route in: park in the lay-by on the A57 that lies between Wood Cottage and Blackden View Farm (OS ref SK 12995 8950; Google maps 53.402, -1.806) then walk south along footpath acroxx River Ashop and past Blackden Barn

Start point: first entry point to climb waterfall at OS ref SK 12750 88903; second entry point for side waterfall and then main waterfall after SK 12150 88370; third entry point for final steeper scramble from about SK 11817 88320

Grading: the first waterfall is grade 0.5-ish; side waterfall is a grade 1; main waterfall is grade 1.5; final scramble is grade 0.75

End point: suggested to go left off the main brook up the exit route at OS ref SK 11720 88345, finishing where you meet the Kinder Plateau perimeter path at SK 11650 88264

Route out: take the path down that runs alongside Blackden Brook (a little care needed around the main waterfall: steep drop and some under-erosion)

Time: 20 mins from CP to start point; then c.2 hours up Blackden Brook; then about 1 hour to walk back

Combine with: Fair Brook or, across the other side of the plateau, Grinds Brook and Golden Clough

Gear: drybag, wetsuit and maybe climbing helmet for main waterfall; buoyancy vest not needed

Verdict: the side waterfall and especially the main waterfall are excellent scrambles; the remainder is mediocre

Category: Standard Scramble

Score: 6/10

Video guide: