Author: Grade 1 Scrambler
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Ram’s Clough
Ram’s Clough offers a simple, varied scramble near Butterley Reservoir in West Yorkshire, featuring woods, rocks, and cascades. Access is unclear, with some barriers present. The route involves a short walk to the starting point and an estimated total time of 1 hour and 25 minutes. Overall rating: 7/10.
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Three Wessenden Moor Cloughs
This post reviews three clough scrambles near Wessenden Moor, though only Blake Clough is really worth visiting. The post details routes, grading, start and end points, as well as necessary gear and time estimates. Overall ratings are 5/10 for all, with Blake Clough scoring the highest at 6/10.
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Grinds Brook
Grinds Brook offers an introductory scramble between Edale and the Kinder Plateau, featuring both wet and dry sections. While graded as a 1, it may feel easier. The scramble is fine but Crowden Brook is recommended as a better alternative. The route includes a starting point near cascades and scenic trails, taking approximately two hours.
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Three Quick Saddleworth Scrambles
Three clough scrambles from Greenfield Reservoir lead to Saddleworth Moor, with the western clough rated best (grade 1) after rain. The routes start by the reservoir, each involving a c.30 minute round trip. The western clough works best during autumn and winter, but the eastern and Far Rough cloughs are less worthwhile.
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Heyden Brook
The Heyden Brook route, starting at a car park on the A6024, features a challenging 15-foot waterfall (Grade 1.5/2) with a swim pool, plus several Grade 0.5 cascades. The total duration is around 3-4 hours, and proper wet scrambling gear is recommended. The main waterfall is fun to both climb and descend.
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Holme Clough
The route up Holme Clough near Greenfield Reservoir features a grade 1 waterfall, with many pools and cascades, making it suitable for beginners. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the beginning and 70-80 minutes to ascend, following buggy tracks back to parking areas.
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Crowden Clough
The route from Upper Booth to Kinder Plateau via Crowden Clough features basic waterfalls and pools initially, followed by a brief grade 1 scramble at the end; the central section is unremarkable. The overall trek takes around 2-3 hours, with recommendations for wet scramble gear for the lower section.
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Torside Clough
Torside Clough in Longdendale offers an excellent grade 1 scramble with a variety of rocks, pools, and waterfalls. The route begins at Torside car park, and the round trip takes around 4 hours, making it suitable for beginners seeking a less challenging experience than Birchen Clough.
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Fair Brook Gully
Fair Brook Gully offers a quick, grade 1 scramble with multiple ascent routes and easy escape options. Starting from Birchin Clough lay-by, the route involves a series of fords and paths. The total time for the scramble and return is around 165 minutes. It pairs well with other nearby scrambles.
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Butterly & Carr Cloughs
The recommended route begins at Butterly Brook, offering a swim and a short scramble with appealing cascades and a Grade 1 waterfall with a grade 2 waterfall up Butterly Clough. Carr Clough is not really worth the effort. Total round trip time is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
The Grade 1 Scrambler 