Laddow Rocks and Crowden Great Brook Circular

April 30, 2023 CIRCULAR WALKS, MEDIUM WALKS 4-9 MILES, PEAK DISTRICT WALKS

This scenic Peak District walk explores the wild Dark Peak, using seldom trod paths, and is great if you want to escape the crowds. This 5 mile circular walk has some of the best views in the Peak District and heads up the Pennine Way to Laddow Rocks before dropping down into the valley bottom to Crowden Great Brook.

Laddow Rocks is a spectacular gritstone outcrop which has amazing views down over the Crowden Valley and is one of the best views in the Peak District in my opinion! You can see over to Bleaklow and Cock Hill, as well as up to Black Hill on a clear day. Laddow Rocks is also home to Laddow Cave, a fab spot for a tea break. It used to be a popular place for climbing but seems to have fallen out of fashion a little.

Our walk started in the car park near Crowden Campsite and we headed off past the weir over Crowden Brook. Access is over a padlocked gate (weirdly there are no access restrictions if you approach the weir from the other side) and we crossed the weir bridge using the well trodden path. It’s all Open Access Land, but take care if you cross the weir as it’s a bit rickety in places.

We headed up the path, passing an old platform which I presume was part of the rifle range, and eventually joined the Pennine Way. We then headed north-west, following the Pennine Way as it climbed up the valley side. It’s steep in places and a bit of a slog but I like to use “looking at the amazing view” as an excuse for a breather!

A view of Oakenclough waterfall. The Pennine Way crosses this at the top.

Once at the top of Laddow Rocks we headed to the north of the crag and picked up the climbers path to head down to Laddow Cave, a little tucked away spot with amazing views.

After we’d had a cup of tea, we climbed back up to the Pennine Way and followed it for about half a mile as it dropped down the hillside slightly. We then picked up the path running at a lower level to the Pennine Way, heading south-west. This path isn’t as well used as the Pennine Way and is a bit unclear in places. We wound our way down to the banks of Crowden Great Brook, past a little shelter, and then followed the river as it wound its way back towards Crowden and the weir we crossed originally, then back to the car park.

As there aren’t any pubs in Crowden we headed off to The Fleece in Holme for a quick drink before setting off home.

Crowden is one of the hidden gems in the Peak District and thankfully isn’t as popular as some of the more touristy places. I love its rugged wilderness and how you can walk there for hours without seeing another person, especially if you head off the Pennine Way.

Parking: Free car park near Crowden Camp Site SK13 1HZ (What3Words: ///scanner.birds.simmer)

Facilities: Public toilet near the car park, and the camp site has a cash only shop

Walk Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: ▲▲

Trig Points Bagged: None

Peak District Peaks Bagged: None

Peak District Ethels Bagged: None