With what was most likely my final chance at walking in good of weather and the chance to meet up with Kev (@kevhand on Twitter) who was preparing for an Everest Base Camp trek, I found myself off to the Peak District for a look at the Kinder plateau in early September 2009.

For a route we picked Kinder Downfall from Hayfield on Walk Britain which at 8miles seemed a good steady option for a morning walk.

After following the sat nav out of Hayfield and thinking we were going off in the wrong direction we soon were at a near empty car park (with plenty of road parking if it did fill up). Turning left out of the car park and back onto the road, we were soon at gates which we passed through and continued to find an opening with a short steep incline up a stepped path. From the top of this early climb we had our first view over the area we’d walk and the Kinder reservoir.

Skirting slightly above the reservoir to the left over flat ground we passed other groups before finding a stream that runs into the Northern corner of the reservoir. Following the stream, we started to ascend gradually on a well trodden path which occasionally became slightly more steep. Soon this section was complete and we were on an obvious saddle, meeting the Pennine Way and turning right to head up a short steep section to the top of the Kinder plateau. Reaching the top, there’s great views back over the reservoir from where we’d come and also over the plateau to where we’d go next.

Skirting around the edge on a well trodden path, we found a rather dry Kinder Downfall and with the weather become ever so slightly colder/windier on the exposed plateau, we moved past with just a quick pause to look at where the tallest waterfall in England can be seen in the correct conditions. Following the path southwards on a good path surrounded by a desolate peat moorland to the side we were soon at the trig point of Kinder Low, where we checked the map and looked at the descent back down, with the weather now turning sunny.

Once again finding the Pennine Way we turned West to complete our circuit of the reservoir, and as we did so were joined by a constant stream of mountain bikers. Following the path down was simple and after a simple descent we were back on tarmac for 10mins or before turning a corner to see the car park from where we started out from almost 4 hours earlier.

It was nice getting back to the Peak District, having ventured past the range in search of higher mountains and longer routes elsewhere in the previous 12 months. The morning walk showed there was still plenty close to my doorstep for me to look into. Finally, I’m delighted that Kev completed his goal of reaching Everest Base Camp, raising money for a great cause along the way.