Charnel Clough

A guide to scrambling Charnel Clough near Dove Stone Reservoir in the north-west Peak District. Summary verdict: a good grade 1 scramble with ready options to downgrade or upgrade

Route in: park at Dove Stone Reservoir Car Park. Walk past the south side of the reservoir and then up Chew Road towards Chew Reservoir until you reach the start of Charnel Clough by a gate across the road

Start point: walk up the clough from around OS map ref SE 02546 02405 and start scrambling as soon as you feel like it

Grading: this is a standard grade 1 scramble which only requires any thought in a couple of places (which can be bypassed). It has options for short grade 1/1+ scrambles or bouldering to right and left in the higher reaches

End point: where you meet the path running across the top of the moor around SE 02910 02532; having completed around 500 ft of ascent

Route out: you can retrace your steps down the clough but it’s much easier though longer to walk south and then east along the valley-top path towards Chew Reservoir and then back down Chew Road

Time: about 30 mins from CP to start point; then 45 mins for the scramble; then about 60 mins to walk back

Combine with: Chew Brook, any of the Wilderness Gullies

Gear: unless there’s been an storm’s-worth of rain, this is a dry scramble that requires no special gear

Verdict: a good grade 1 scramble with options to opt out by using the adjacent path, or to grade up onto bouldering opportunities on the flanks

Category: Standard

Score: 7.5/10

Video guide: