Jacob’s Ladder Walk: Circular Route from Edale

🥾Jump to Route & Map

Discover the iconic Jacob’s Ladder, which is well-known in the Peak District National Park.

This incredible hike offers breathtaking views as you climb to the top. It is a must-visit Peak District hike.

So, lace up your boots as we go over everything you need to know before your next visit!

Getting to Jacob’s Ladder

The village of Edale is the starting point for this circular walk and is easily accessible by both car and public transport.

By car, it’s just a 15-minute drive from the main A6, passing by Mam Tor as you descend into the village.

By public transport, Edale is on the Hope Valley line, which connects Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly with hourly departures. The trip takes approximately:

• 44 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly
• 32 minutes from Sheffield

Most services are operated by Northern Trains. View the timetable here.

Jacobs Lader Parking (In Edale)

Edale Car Park – HPBC 

• Address: Water Meadows, Hope Rd, Edale, Hope Valley S33 7ZQ
• Cost: Upto 1 hr: £1.80 -> 1-2 Hrs: £2.90 -> 2-4 Hrs: £4.50 -> Upto 10hrs: £6.80 -> 24hrs: £7.90

This is the main 138-space car park in Edale, offering the most parking spaces in the area. It features onsite toilets and is connected to the village hall.

Edale Train Station & Overflow

• Address: Edale Station, Station Road, Edale, Derbyshire, S33 7ZN
• Cost: £4 All day – Overflow £5 all-day

If the main car park is full, the train station just around the corner has a small number of spaces.

Additionally, a few metres down from the station, there’s an overflow car park run by the village, offering plenty more spaces for £5 all-day parking.

Failing all of the above options, there’s a small car park along the route in Barber Booth.

Jacob’s Ladder Walk Map & Route

The route heads through the village of Edale and out via the Pennine Way, winding through the valley and starting the climb up to the Kinder plateau via Jacob’s Ladder. It continues around the moorland and edge of the valley before descending back into the village via Grindsbrook Clough.

OS Maps Route

All Trails Route

Komoot Route

Which hiking map app should I use?  I recommend OS Maps Online for its unparalleled accuracy. However, if you’re a beginner, you might find AllTrails to be more user-friendly. For a detailed review of the best UK map apps, read my full review.

Jacob’s Ladder Step by Step – 12.7 km (7.9 mi) ~ 3-4.5 hrs

1. Head out of the car park or station and onto the main road. Go under the railway tracks and past the Rambler Inn.

2. Continue up the road (Marys Ln), passing by Edale Visitor Centre, then the village church. Just before you reach The Old Nags Head, there is a path on the left which marks the start of the Pennine Way.

3. The path heads out of the village and through a couple of gates, continuing to follow the Pennine Way.

4. The stone slab path continues through fields, heading uphill slightly.

5. The path then leads into Upper Booth. Head along the tarmac road, taking a right at the crossroads, and follow the road for a good distance until you reach Lee Farm, where there’s a road gate between the two farmhouses.

6. Go through the gate and keep going along the path which leads up the Vale of Edale. Eventually, you’ll reach a stone packhorse bridge which crosses the brook, marking the start of Jacob’s Ladder.

7. Continue up the steep, staircase-like section that marks the climb towards the Kinder plateau. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the valley below.

8. The path keeps heading up to the right and continues to follow the Pennine Way. Make sure you stay on the designated path along this stretch, as several routes converge around this point of the walk.

Optional: There is a path on the left that you can follow up to the Kinder Low trig point (Main summit of Kinder) or even all the way to Kinder Downfall waterfall, circling further around. This should add around 1 hour on to the walk.

9. The route continues through the boulder-like landscape past Pym Chair, Wool Packs, and Crowden Tower rock formations. Sections can get quite muddy here, so pick your line carefully.

10. The path goes right and downhill, following Grindsbrook Clough (Near Grindslow Knoll). 

11. Eventually, you rejoin the stone slab path and follow it until you cross the footbridge over Grinds Brook. 

12. Then, simply follow the road back to the village centre where you started a few hours ago. You can retrace your steps past the church and pubs, maybe stopping off for a post-hike pint!

Edale & Jacob’s Ladder Amenities & Facilities

Within the village of Edale there is a small range of pubs and cafes as well as a public toilet on the main car park. 

These include:

Cafes

• The Penny Pot Cafe (Next to the station): Welcoming atmosphere with delicious homemade cakes, excellent coffee, and options for vegetarians and gluten-free diets
• Newfold Farm Cafe: Licensed café and bar serving fresh, locally sourced food and drinks, including free-range meat, local dairy, and Fair Trade coffee.

Pubs

• The Old Nags Head: Historic pub offering a diverse menu of classic British pub food and a wide selection of drinks, making it a perfect stop for hikers and visitors.
• The Rambler Inn (Next to the station): Warm and pub with large outdoor seating, great for when the sun is out.

Edale Moorland Visitor Centre

The Edale Visitors Centre, located at the start of the Pennine Way, serves as a hub for moorland research and visitor engagement. Its unique design features a sedum turf roof and a waterfall, showcasing eco-friendly architecture.

The knowledgeable staff are ready to assist visitors in exploring the area’s stunning landscapes.

Amenities Near Edale

Castleton or Hope, on the other side of the valley, are the closest villages with a few more pubs, cafes, and restaurants, and they are just a 10-15-minute drive away.

The closest major town is Chapel-en-le-Frith in the High Peak, which as both an Aldi and Morrisons around a 15-minute drive away just outside the Peak District boundary with Buxton being slightly bigger further up the A6.

History & Significance of the Area

Jacob’s Ladder is a historic bridleway linking the Kinder Scout plateau (managed by the National Trust) to Upper Booth in the Vale of Edale. In the 18th century, is said Jacob Marshall, a farmer at Edale Head, cut steps into this steep route, giving it its name inspired by the biblical ladder to heaven.

At the foot of Jacob’s Ladder, the River Noe is crossed by a Grade II listed gritstone packhorse bridge, an important part of a medieval trade route. This path was used to transport goods like salt, cheese, and cotton to the east, and coal and lead to the west.

The Pennine Way, a well-known long-distance trail, ascends Jacob’s Ladder just 2.5 miles from its start at Edale. In 1987, a stone-paved staircase was built along this path, enhancing its accessibility. 

Jacob’s Ladder Asked Questions