Some of the finest scrambles in the Peak District are hidden in plain sight. Nether Red Brook is one of them. It’s marked clearly on the 1:25k OS Explorer, yet oddly absent from the BMC’s mountain map. A small oversight, considering this delightful gully is among the best hands-on routes in the Dark Peak.
It was one of those damp-but-mild Peak District mornings where waterproofs go on straight from the car. My pack felt reassuringly prepared: triple-rated rope, group shelter, first aid kit, maps, compasses, spare gloves and layer, flask, and sandwiches. With the essentials stowed and spirits high, we set off from Birchin Clough Bridge, bound for a circuit that would take us up Nether Red Brook and down neighbouring Fair Brook.
Our approach led us through woodland that should have been a serene introduction to the day, but instead left us with a sour note: litter. Abandoned waste from so-called ‘wild campers’ gave the place the forlorn feel of a festival site after the crowds had left. It’s a reminder of how fragile these landscapes are and how important “leave no trace” should be.
Emerging from the trees, we made swift progress along Ashop Clough until Nether Red Brook revealed itself, cutting sharply into the hillside. The first challenge was a stream crossing, the kind that looks straightforward until you actually weigh your options. With a good line chosen, we all made it across with dry feet and intact dignity.
A quick fence crossing, a short pause to refuel and then it was time to get hands on rock. Nether Red Brook doesn’t waste time: it soon steepens and we found ourselves weaving up wet gritstone steps and slabs, taking delight in the flowing water that made each move more interesting without ever feeling unsafe.
This was no place for rushing. Short clambers over blocky steps, balancing and testing holds on damp rock gave everyone a taste of what makes scrambles such engaging routes. We savoured the hands-on progress.
The final wall, for me one of the scramble’s highlight, demanded careful, deliberate movement. The wet rock and water coming down on side made it a test of balance and confidence, but one by one the group topped out, rewarded with that quiet satisfaction of having moved through terrain that blends walking and climbing without ever being either. A pause at the top, flasks and snacks dug out and smiles all round.
From the head of the clough, the route drew us towards Fairbrook Naze. We paused briefly at the striking outcrop known as “Cup Rock,” its weathered hollows as fascinating as the views across the plateau.
By now the weather was shifting. What had been light showers on the ascent hardened into more persistent rain. Hoods went up, layers zipped tight, and with spirits still high we pushed on. Contouring below the path, we threaded through the gritstone before joining the next clough.
The descent mirrored the character of Nether Red Brook: rocky, although less technically challenging with a substantial path but with the added urgency of rain we picked a direct line heading down.
Before too long we returned to the woodland, the rain was increasing in intensity by the time we had arrived at the car park, we exchanged farewells quickly, everyone diving gratefully into vehicles before the weather could soak us further.
For me, the day wasn’t quite over. A quick detour to Longshaw for a restorative snack, then home to face what felt like endless wet kit sprawled out to dry. Something that has felt like a familiar ritual since moving up to the Peak District.
Scrambles like Nether Red Brook and Fair Brook show the Peak District at its best: short, sharp adventures where walkers can dip into mountaineering terrain without venturing into technical climbing. The day also reminded me of something else: if I’m going to keep leading these trips, I need a smoother way to manage sign-ups and gather the right details. Multiple email threads are workable, but there’s room for something more streamlined. A task for another day.
For now, the memory that lingers is of wet gritstone under hand, the thrill of topping out on Kinder’s edge, and the camaraderie of a small group tackling one of the Dark Peak’s hidden gems together.