Walk Leader: Jonathan
Difficulty: Strenuous
Start time: 09:45
End time: 16:45
Start point: Hope Station (Platform 1), Station Road, Hope, Derbyshire, S33 6RD
Start point - What 3 Words: rejoiced.deprives.jars
End point (if not circular): The Old Nags Head, Grindsbrook Booth, Edale, Derbyshire, S33 7ZD
Distance (in miles): 12.7
Ascent (in meters): 765
Which Ethels are included in your walk, if any?: Win Hill, Grindslow Knoll
Is your walk dog friendly?: No
Full description:
At SWG we really appreciate Edale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), although we hope to keep this as a distant relationship and never actually need to call them. February 2026 marks Edale MRT’s 70th anniversary, and we want to mark the occasion by going for a walk and raising funds for the incredible work and dedication of all of their volunteers. Edale MRT are one of the busiest MRTs in the UK, responding to 187 incidents in 2025, logging 3850 hours of volunteers’ time, and is entirely funded through donations.
We would like to encourage anyone joining this walk to make a voluntary donation (suggestion of £5) to Edale MRT. This can be done using their Just Giving page (link below) which allows anonymous donations. You may wish to add in your message “SWG Edale MRT Walk 14/02/2026”.
https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/edalemrt/donation-amount
We will begin our walk in Hope, where Edale MRT have been based at Hope Cement Works since 1986, exiting the station north across the fields, passing through the village of Alston, before steeply ascending Win Hill from where we should have great views of the Hope Valley. We will then follow the ridgeline west and gently down to join the old Roman Road. Next is our second climb up to one of quieter corners of the Kinder Scout plateau at Crookstone Out Moor where we will loop around the northern edge before heading into the centre to visit Madwoman’s Stones, returning to the crags at Crookstone Out Moor. From here we will follow the edge west and all the way around to Grindslow Knoll, our high point at 601m. Our descent, which will be steep, will be via the less traditional route south off Grindslow Knoll towards Upper Booth where we will pick up the Pennine Way and follow this back to its start in Edale. We will finish the walk by visiting The Old Nags Head for a well-deserved drink and the option of dinner. The Old Nag’s Head plays a significant role in the history of the Edale MRT which was established by Tom Tomlinson, the first full-time head warden of the Peak District National Park, and Fred Heardman, the landlord of The Old Nags Head. From 1956 to 1959 The Old Nags Head was also the location where the team’s equipment (at the time, a stretcher and basic first aid kit) were stored.
This walk will require a good level of fitness with two long ascents, a steep descent, and undulation throughout. The terrain will include very steep and rocky climbs and descents. There are also sections of peat bogs, fields, and gravel paths. This is a winter walk so it is likely to be wet and muddy, whilst depending on the weather, there may be snow, ice, or frozen ground on the tops. Large sections of the route will be along edges and ridgelines at significant elevation, and hence exposed to potential windy conditions and low temperatures. Sturdy walking boots are strongly recommended. Plenty of layers, waterproofs, and plenty of food and drink are essential.
Public transport or car sharing options:
Outbound train departing Sheffield at 09:14 and arriving at Hope Railway Station at 09:39.
Return trains depart Edale Railway Station at 17:33, 18:34, or 19:34, with a journey time of 32 minutes.
Public transport is strongly encouraged for this walk due to the limited parking in both Hope or Edale which fills up quickly on weekends. For those who prefer to drive, please try to car share and allow plenty of time to find a parking space.