Crowden Clough Scramble

This is a fantastic and sustained grade 1 scramble, up Crowden Clough and descending via Grindsbrook Clough (with the option for more scrambling in the upper regions of Grindsbrook).

There is one section that makes up the crux of the route, which offers 3 lines of varying difficulty.

This route takes the road past upper booth farm, taking a right turn just after the farm on a bridge, and follows Crowden Clough all the way to Kinder Scout (taking in the extra top part of Crowden Clough), moving over to take in the views of Crowden Tower, then skirting the edge of Kinder Scout and descending via Grindsbrook Clough (with optional extra scrambling in Grindsbrook), and taking the path back too upper booth.

Approach
From Upper Booth Car Park, you follow the road for 5 minutes, until you reach a farm on your right, and a bridge. On the far side of the bridge, you will see a small gate, which leads you to the start of the route. Follow this path which sticks to Crowden Clough all the way up until the real scrambling begins (which is just as the path starts to move away from Crowden Clough up the hillside below Crowden Tower).

How To Scramble Crowden Clough
At this point you can really get your hands on the rock, and treat it like an adventure, choosing any line through the boulder field that inspires you.

There are countless different lines to take, and the weather may determine which line you prefer to take (if it’s really warm you won’t mind getting wet!).

Eventually you will reach a large pool (or small pool in a dry summer) which marks the start of the crux of the route.

Scrambling choice Crowden Clough
There are 3 different lines here at the crux, which can be ascended and descended to allow you to do all 3 in one outing!

Chimney
This chimney / staircase is the far left route at the crux of Crowden Clough. In ascent, look for good holds in front and let your legs find places as you go. In descent it is a bit more tricky, especially in the wet, so make sure your hand holds are solid before descending each part.

Arete
This is the central option on Crowden Clough, and is probably the easiest in good weather. Follow the obvious line up the central crack. This is probably the hardest of the 3 to descend safely.

Waterfall Direct
This is obviously slightly more difficult in the rain or snow, but great fun all the same. Initially take steps on the right, before moving left using good holds to the top. Can be descended by carefully taking the reverse.
Extra Crowden Clough Scrambling Section
This is not very well documented but makes a great extra scrambling section to the route.

After the previous crux section, you continue on easy scrambling above to reach the path that crosses Crowden Clough, however this isn’t the end.

Crowden Clough splits into two forks, and by taking the left hand fork here you can have some more fun. Follow the water until you reach a large rock formation. Climb underneath this and look right, to reveal a narrow chimney which offers an interesting finale.

Chimney on Crowden Clough
This is probably a grade 2 move, and involves squeezing as far forward into the chimney as possible while gaining some height, and then using friction to push yourself up and out. Step your feet up left and right under the overhang of the boulders, then turn to either face the right side or the way you've come up to help with the exit. You will probably have to remove your bag.
From here you can make your way towards Crowden Tower to take in the views, before deciding on your descent route.

Descent

via Crowden Clough
The quickest way back to the car is to descent the way you came (or the easier path descent next to Crowden Clough), however to make it into a full day see below.

via Grindsbrook Clough
Turning this route into a looping walk is commonly done via a descent of Grindsbrook Clough (grade 1), a classic scramble that is normally ascended from Edale.

However the alternative extensions are well worth adding in at the top of Grindsbrook Clough, as they offer some exciting scrambling before you make your way off Kinder Scout.

Extra Scrambling On Grindsbrook Descent
As you descent into Grindsbrook clough, you will reach a point where it has forked (you are descending the lefthand fork). Go up the right hand fork, until the cliffs start to become more imposing around you.

There are two routes here, one (the most difficult, probably Grade 2) is on the left, and starts on steps up a waterfall. The other is on the right, and takes a narrow gully up to the top.

I recommend doing the easiest first, then descending back into the clough and completing the more difficult.