What a route!
If you include all 3 finishes and the countless lines up and down the rocks east of Nether Red Brook it is probably the most interesting and sustained scrambling day in the Peak District by far.
Main route (Grade 1), with Alt finish 1 (Grade 3) and Alt Finish 2 (Grade 2).
Parking: Lay by near the Snakes Inn (Google Maps)
Route Map
The route follows the River Ashop until the banks lower and you see the top of Kinder Scout. You then cross the river, and make your way into Nether Red Brook. From here you can ascend each alternative finish on the way up (descending to reach the next in turn) or stick to the brook the whole way to do the grade 1 route.
Descend by following the edge of Kinder Scout, around Fairbrook Naze, and down Fairbrook to the Snakes Inn again.
Approach
Parking at any of the lay-bys near to the Snake Inn on the Snakes Pass road, cross the stile opposite the Snakes Inn, and cross the often boggy terrain to aim “top right” to get to the edge of the River Ashop.
From here make your way West (right when facing the river), and once you get to the fork in the river Ashop you need to cross over the wooden bridge on the left rather than following it into the woods on the right.
Then continue along the banks until Nether Red Brook is in sight (roughly 1 hour).
The route follows the river all the way to Nether Red Brook, so it’s best to keep fairly close so that you can keep your bearings.
However there is a path further to the right which you can follow.
First Sighting
Here you get your first glimpse of the scrambling part of the route in the distance, the impressive lines up to the top of Kinder Scout. You now need to cross the river.
It narrows slightly just after the point where Nether Red Brook joins the river, so if required, look for a jumping spot around here.
The Scramble
The Nether Red Brook scrambling route is varied. If you want to purely keep it at Grade 1, you must stick to the brook as it turns left, and finish directly over the ending waterfalls through easy steps and holds.
However the most fun is had by following the alternative finishes 1 by 1, descending the steep grass after each to reach the entrance to the next, finishing via the main route last.
Alternative Finish 1
This is the first of two alternative finishes, however this one is rated as a Grade 3, and when wet can prove almost impossible due to the slimy chimney at the finish.
However it can be easily escaped on the grass to the right, so it’s worth taking a look even if you avoid it.
Alternative Finish 2
This second finish to the scramble is a grade 2, and gives you some great hands on rock moves towards the top.
Descent
Once at the top you can walk East (left) towards Fair Brook Naze, then follow the path to the top of Fair Brook, and descend the rocky path back down to the road.
Now all you have to do is follow the road left until you reach the Snake Inn.
Recommended Guidebook & Map
The best guidebook for this route is found in the Scrambles in the Dark Peak book, which is available via Paperback or Kindle Book here.
The best map for this route is the Ordnance Survey OL1, The Peak District, Dark Peak Area, available on Amazon here.
Recommended Scrambling Guide: (coming soon)
Recommended Accommodation: Snakes Pass Inn
The Snakes Pass Inn is perfectly situated to enjoy many of the scrambling routes in the Peak District, including Nether Red Brook, Blackden Brook, and Alport Castles.
They have many rooms available, including rooms for single travellers.
You can book their rooms cheap on Booking.com here.
Route Info
| Distance | 9.13 km |
| Elevation | 432m +/- |
| Duration | 3 - 4 hours |
| Grade | 1 / 2 / 3 |
| Transport | Car |
Navigation
| Guidebook | Best Book |
| Maps | Best Map |
| Guided Tours | Guides |
| Accommodation | Where To Stay? |
| Contributor | Who Contributed? |
Route Contributed by: Matt Jackson
This route was created by Matt Jackson and donated to the UK Scrambles website through our contributor program.
This generosity enables us to publish a whole range of scrambling routes to help you enjoy the outdoors.
If you have a route you could contribute, submit it to us today.
You can view other routes Matt has contributed here.
Did this last weekend on a very hot day and had a lot of fun. Just wanted to drop a couple of navigational notes if I may…
Once you get to the fork in the river Ashop you need to cross over the wooden bridge on the left rather than following it into the woods on the right.
Also once you’ve came out of the top of Nether Red Brook you’re facing a southerly direction. To turn left, you have to head East, not West. This threw us a bit and had to consult the map.
Thanks Stu, good spot, added to the route guide.
The Grade 3 chimney finish (alternative finish 1) is very good. A lot better than the guide book suggests. The highlight is the exit up the steep left wall of the chimney with a fair bit of loose rock to contend with. I wasn’t impressed with alternative finish 2. One interesting mantelshelf low down but the rest is pretty scrappy.
Wouldn’t advise the chimney finish, loose rocks make it very dangerous. One large rock came away as I climbed and another very large rock is ready to fall. The other routes more fun and interesting anyway.
Hi
Tried this route on Saturday but there is no stile opposite the Snake Pass Inn!!
There is a signpost behind a chicken wire type fence & someone has put a large stone on either side but not sure if this is replacing a stile?!
Wasn’t prepared to risk going wrong at the start of the route so gave up & found a less challenging route near the reservoir.
Any feedback greatly appreciated thanks!
Hi Maxi, yes I think it might’ve been taken off / broken during the deforestation that’s gone on there. I’ll update the route with images to reflect the new scenery! You were on the right track, cross the fence via the rocks and make your way to the edge of the river, and follow it right.
I followed the A57 West from the Snake Inn for about 100 mtrs, to the next bit of wood and there is a stile and a wide path down the wood to the river path to the foot bridge.
I took a 10 and 11yr old, the route is perfect for those. Load of options for them to pick a route, you can almost make it as hard as you want for them, with escape routes all the way up.
Hi All
As an ageing scrambler I thoroughly enjoyed this short sharp scramble but stuck to the grade one stuff. I came back off the end of Fairbrook Naze which is another exit option.
So far I’ve tried four of Matt’s Peak District scrambles and enjoyed them all, especially Blackden Brook.