Blackden Brook Scramble

A guide to scrambling Blackden Brook under Kinder Plateau in the High Peak. Summary verdict: brilliant Grade 1.5 main waterfall and decent Grade 1 side fall half-way up the lower brook but otherwise little in the lower half and mediocre for the final scramble
• Route in: park in the lay-by on the A57 that lies between Wood Cottage and Blackden View Farm (OS ref SK 12995 8950; Google maps 53.402, -1.806) then walk south along footpath acroxx River Ashop and past Blackden Barn
• Start point: first entry point to climb waterfall at OS ref SK 12750 88903; second entry point for side waterfall and then main waterfall after SK 12150 88370; third entry point for final steeper scramble from about SK 11817 88320
• Grading: the first waterfall is grade 0.5-ish; side waterfall is a grade 1; main waterfall is grade 1.5; final scramble is grade 0.75
• End point: suggested to go left off the main brook up the exit route at OS ref SK 11720 88345, finishing where you meet the Kinder Plateau perimeter path at SK 11650 88264
• Route out: take the path down that runs alongside Blackden Brook (a little care needed around the main waterfall: steep drop and some under-erosion)
• Time: 20 mins from CP to start point; then c.2 hours up Blackden Brook; then about 1 hour to walk back
• Combine with: Fair Brook or, across the other side of the plateau, Grinds Brook and Golden Clough
• Gear: drybag, wetsuit and maybe climbing helmet for main waterfall; buoyancy vest not needed
• Verdict: the side waterfall and especially the main waterfall are excellent scrambles; the remainder is mediocre
• Category: Standard Scramble
• Score: 6/10
Visit website at: grade1scramble...
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#scrambling #peakdistrict #cloughscrambling #chasingwaterfalls
Map image/data from OpenStreetMap

[@kurt3306]

One of my very first scrambles a decade or so ago. I distinctly remember the “ escape “ footpath ( right bank looking upstream ) adjacent to the large slippery waterfall being particularly sketchy. I also remember taking something of a chimney exit to the left out of the route of the main scramble near the top though my memory is a little hazy on exactly where that would of been.

[@Grade1Scrambler]

I suspect that right bank footpath is even worse now: as I say in the video, climbing the waterfall seemed a better option! And if you took the chimney option, you're braver then me - though probably more fun that the rather dull grade 1 exit I took

[@kurt3306]

If my memory is serving me correctly i recall two lines up that outcrop. I picked the essier of the two. It does look a bit dramatic from below but i remember there being no real feeling of exposure once in there ( and i am rather exposure averse )and good blocky holds for hands and feet. Quite an interesting finish to the main clough. The only real thing holding me back from going ,especially with all the rain at the moment , is that afforementioned path up there….

[@Grade1Scrambler]

@@kurt3306 Interesting - thanks for that: I'll give it a closer look-see next time I'm there

[@Codzilla71]

Would have liked to see you try the harder escape route. Scrambles in the Dark Peak suggest an extended outing using this as start and finish. I think I'd use it for that.
Have you tried Oaken Clough? Climbed it last week; really pleasant 2-3 hour grade 2, with free car park.

[@Grade1Scrambler]

Next time for the harder escape route 😁 And by coincidence I did Oaken Clough for the first time yesterday: thought it would be too difficult but, as you say, actually a really nice scramble though I'm guessing a more interesting proposition after heavy rains

[@Codzilla71]

@@Grade1Scrambler the book says one of the finest days out linking Oaken Clough with Wilderness Gully East. Definitely on my hit list! 👍

[@Grade1Scrambler]

@@Codzilla71 That's exactly what we did! Bit of a trudge there and back over the tops but well worth it. Went with the Facebook group, Scrambling Crew - you should join