Dark Peak 15 Trigs
The Dark Peak 15 Trigs visits all 15 trig points on the Dark Peak moors of the northern Peak District — 89 km of gritstone moorland and peat hag with around 3,200 m of ascent, one of the defining navigational challenges in the Pennines.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Dark Peak 15 Trigs
The Dark Peak 15 Trigs is a navigational challenge as much as a physical one. The 15 trig points are scattered across the high peat moorland north of Sheffield and east of Manchester — Bleaklow, Kinder Scout, Black Hill, Saddleworth Moor — in terrain that is featureless, boggy and demanding to navigate at any speed.
The route is not waymarked. There is no fixed line between the trigs — runners choose their own paths, making route choice a significant part of the challenge. Competent fell navigation on compass bearings is essential, especially in the frequent mist and low cloud that blanket the Dark Peak. GPS is helpful for finding individual trigs but is no substitute for map and compass skills in the peat hags.
Most runners take twelve to eighteen hours. The terrain is heavy going — deep peat groughs slow progress significantly on the high ground. The reward is a sense of having crossed some of the wildest and most characterful landscape in England.
The route
No fixed route — runners visit all 15 trigs in any order. Common approaches start from Edale, Glossop or Crowden (near the A628).
Key trigs include the summit of Kinder Scout (636 m), Bleaklow Head (633 m), Black Hill (582 m, one of the boggiest summits in the Pennines) and the lower gritstone edges. Between each trig, the route crosses deep peat groughs — channels cut into the moorland that require either wading or constant rerouting.
A good starting order runs a rough anticlockwise or clockwise circuit of the Dark Peak boundary, minimising backtracking.
Getting there & logistics
Common start points: Edale (car park, train station), Crowden (A628 car park), Glossop (town centre, good transport links from Manchester).
No facilities on the high moors — carry all food and water. The route crosses several access roads where a support crew can meet you. A mobile support plan is strongly recommended given the length and terrain.
Best time: June to September for drier conditions. The peat is at its worst after heavy rain from October to May.
Safety
The Dark Peak moors are some of the most navigationally demanding terrain in England. In mist, Bleaklow and Black Hill are disorienting and featureless. Escape routes are long and the terrain is slow. Never rely solely on GPS in this environment.
In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Edale MRT covers Kinder and much of the Dark Peak. Pre-register SMS 999 (text 'register' to 999).
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