The Dark Peak is one of England's most accessible yet genuinely wild upland landscapes, easily reached from Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Derby, where the gritstone edges, deep cloughs and boulder-strewn moorland of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow offer some of the most varied scrambling terrain in the country. With 41 graded routes across the Dark Peak and Roaches areas of the Peak District National Park, this is the definitive guidebook for scrambling in this area of the Peak District.
This trusted Cicerone guidebook by Terry Sleaford and Tom Corker makes Dark Peak scrambling accessible to a wide range of abilities, from those looking to take the next step from adventurous walker to scrambler to harder routes that require climbing experience. Route descriptions are paired with 1:25,000 OS mapping and detailed approach notes, with link routes, variants and extensions throughout, so every outing can be tailored to the day.
41 graded scrambles across the Dark Peak and Roaches are included, from the Chew Valley and Wilderness Gullies to Bleaklow, Kinder Scout and Mam Tor, with grades ranging from 1 to 3 Classic routes and hidden gems are covered, including Wilderness Gully East, Wildboar Clough, Kinder Downfall Climb and Alport Castles Tower, alongside lesser-known lines rarely described elsewhere Four dedicated winter routes, including the local classics of Mam Tor Gully and Back Tor Gully, are also described for an additional challenge 1:25,000 OS mapping is provided for every route with clear grade, approach and access information so you can assess each scramble before leaving the car park Advice on equipment, access and conservation by expert authors covering the specific demands of gritstone scrambling, access restrictions and the impact of weather on route conditions Link routes, variants and extensions are described throughout, allowing routes to be combined into longer days or adapted to suit your group's experience
Backed by decades of combined experience on Peak District gritstone, authors Terry Sleaford and Tom Corker have crafted a guidebook that captures the full character of Dark Peak scrambling. Step beyond the footpath and experience the best summer scrambles and winter climbs the Peak District has to offer.
