Introduction
This section of the website is the beginning of the process of making information available in one place about current access and environmental issues related to Kinder and the adjacent moorlands.
The Essence of Kinder….
Kinder Scout’s beautiful moorland landscape contains unique habitats for some rare and wonderful species. In our busy and noisy world this is one of the few places where it is still possible to experience a feeling of wilderness and the freedom to roam. To ensure this essence of Kinder is not lost it is essential to protect the special environment and maintain accessibility.
Moors for the future – safeguarding Kinder and other peat moorlands.
Since 2003 the Moors for the Future partnership have been undertaking major works to improve and preserve the Kinder Scout moorlands. A summary is provided on their own website, extract below.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170630051151/http://moorsforthefuture.org.uk/
Our work
- Stock management. We put up fences and walls to manage grazing which allows vegetation to recover and to provide a suitable habitat for moorland birds such as the grouse, curlew and the rare twite or ‘Pennine Finch’.
- Stabilising bare peat. We spread heather cuttings to protect the peat and provide a source of seeds. We apply lime to reduce acidity and spread grass seeds and fertiliser that will form an initial crop of grass.
- Increasing diversity. We increase diversity by planting out by hand plugs of native species like cotton grass, heather, crowberry, cloudberry and bilberry.
- Dams. We block erosion gullies (sometimes known as groughs) using stone dams, heather bales or timber planks. This helps prevent the peat from drying out by raising the water table and keeps eroding peat out of the reservoirs downstream.
- Path management. We refurbish footpaths to protect against the effects of erosion by foot traffic. We landscape paths that have become divided over time, lay flagstones over boggy sections and add water management measures so that paths and the surrounding peat isn’t washed away in wet periods.
- Clough woodlands. We create clough woodlands to help improve water quality in the cloughs, prevent erosion and provide habitat for native woodland birds.
- Invasive species. We control invasive plants where we can – including purple-moor grass, rhododendron and bracken to ensure the SSSIs we work on are in a good condition.
- Sphagnum. We reintroduce sphagnum moss – that was lost due to the effects ofindustrial pollution affecting the Peak District and South Pennines. Sphagnum is an important plant for active blanket bog as it is a key peat-forming species.
National Trust
The National Trust owns the Kinder Estate, which includes the major part of Kinder Scout. For further information about their vision for managing and improving the environment of the Kinder moorlands, click on the link below.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-high-peak-moors-vision
Peak District National Park
Kinder Scout is situated within the Peak District National Park, and it is because of the importance of Kinder that this was the first National Park to be set up, in 1951. For information about how the Peak Park authorities look after Kinder and all the environment within the park, click on the link below.
https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after
Improved Access on Kinder Scout
Works to renew some 2,000 metres of well-loved paths at four major access points to Kinder Scout in the Peak District National Park were completed in 2012.
In a major project managed by Moors for the Future Partnership, paths at Grindslow Knoll, Crowden Tower, Ringing Roger and The Nab have been enhanced to make walking easier and to restore the internationally important moorland habitat by reducing erosion caused by foot traffic and water.
Carried out as part of the Natural England Conservation Plans Project (NECPP), the initiative saw the airlifting by helicopter of over 200 tonnes of stone flags and pitching. Flags have been laid over areas of deep peat and stone pitching adopted to ease the way over difficult steep sections, such as the ascent up Grindslow Knoll.
Crucial innovations include a range of long-term robust water management features, including drainage ditches, water bars and fords. By introducing water bars and angling flagstones, water is diverted across and away from the paths.
Project manager Matt Scott-Campbell is delighted with the outcome: “It’s fitting that we’ve completed the project in 2012 – the year which saw the 80th anniversary of the Mass Trespass. The improved footpaths will significantly enhance walkers’ access and enjoyment while protecting much loved landscape and wildlife. We’ve introduced a whole range of solutions to help protect the moorland in the long term, while respecting the spectacular beauty of these locations which are part of the Dark Peak Site of Special Scientific Interest.”
The project was carried out with support from the National Trust and local landowner Tom Noel, who added: “When restoring these popular footpaths, it was vital to take account of the different ways in which the land is used. The needs of the farming community had to be accommodated, as well as those of people accessing the moors for walking or grouse shooting. The significant improvements that have been made will ensure that a range of people can access the moors, while minimising the damage that has been such a serious problem in the past.”
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