Kinder Scout 10 January 2026

We had a rare combination of snowfall in the Peak District during the week and good weather forecast for Saturday: a slight frost, sunshine, and no wind. The only uncertainty was whether the roads would be cleared. We took a chance and went to Kinder Scout, and it paid off. There was a lot of snow, even more than in Sweden. We also saw many runners competing in the Mountain Winter Spine race. They were running from Edale to Hebden Bridge along the Pennine Way, a total of 46 miles. They were just as lucky with the weather as we were, although they ran through the night, while we went back home in the evening.

The blue line shows our track. Shift-click the track link to open it in nakarte.me.

The snow was the best on the approaches to Kinder Scout. The temperature was below zero, so the skis glided well.

We came across a few small spruce trees. It's unlikely they were planted here deliberately. Even though it's only about 500 meters above sea level, the weather is harsh and trees don't really grow here.

The approach to Kinder Scout from Snake Pass is very gentle, with a steep climb onto the plateau only at the very end.

There is a path running around the plateau, but in winter it's very slow going as the trail is buried in snowdrifts.

In places these drifts are very deep, but on skis they are easier to get through than on foot.

Victor is traversing a snowdrift.

In the distance you can see the snow-covered plateau that we came across to get here.

We crossed Kinder Scout soon after climbing onto the plateau. In places the snow was very firm and it was easy to break the trail. Unfortunatley we did not spend much time at the plateau, as we wanted to get back to the car before dark.

Icy twigs. They're probably burnt heather.

Snow drifts shaped by the wind.

Running back to the car.

During the day, it was warm in the sun, so the snow on the little spruce melted and refroze.

Sunset.