An Evening on Kinder Scout: Running into the Sunset from Edale
- Peter Jeffers
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There’s something different about heading into the hills when most people are heading home.
Yesterday evening after work in Velorunner I threw the GoPro and a few energy blocks into the Camaback vest and headed over to Edale in the Peak District. The plan was to complete a Walk Run loop on Kinder Scout, with the aim of getting a few quality miles in on the trails before the light disappeared.
I haven't run for a bit after being laid up with one thing and another, so the aim was to complete the loop and enjoy being out.
It turned into one of those evenings that reminds you why getting out into the hills is so addictive.
Edale to Kinder Scout
The route from Edale quickly leaves the village behind and climbs onto the open moorland. The gradient soon gets the legs working, but once you’re up on the higher ground, the views open out and the effort feels worthwhile.
The conditions were perfect for an evening run — cool, quiet and with plenty of space to settle into a rhythm. Whie I had a map in the Back pack the light was very good and I was happy to follow the route downloaded from Komoot onto my Coros Apex 4.
I wasn’t chasing a particular pace.I was happy to finish well into dusk and get the headtorch back out for the last mile. This was more about spending time on the trails, getting some climbing into the legs and enjoying being out in the mountains.
And as the evening went on, the light just got better.
6.77 miles and 1,624ft of climbing
The final stats came in at:
Distance: 6.77 miles
Elevation gain: 1,624ft
Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
For a relatively short run, 1,624ft of ascent makes it a very different proposition to a road run of the same distance. The climbs are slower, the terrain requires more concentration and there’s plenty of walking mixed in when the gradient gets steep.
But that’s exactly what makes these runs so enjoyable.
Why evening mountain runs are worth doing
There’s a real sense of freedom about being out on the hills late in the day.
The trails become quieter, the temperature drops and the changing light completely alters the landscape. On this run, I was fortunate enough to catch the sunset beginning to develop across the Peak District.
It’s also a good reminder that a mountain day doesn’t have to mean an all-day expedition. A couple of hours after work can still give you a proper mountain experience.
For anyone getting into trail or mountain running, routes around Edale and Kinder Scout are a fantastic way of building confidence on more challenging terrain — although conditions on the plateau can change quickly, so good preparation is essential.
Another step towards the Mountain Leader journey
I’m also using these outings as part of my journey towards becoming a Mountain Leader.
That means I’m deliberately looking for opportunities to spend more time in different mountain environments, improve my navigation and develop a better understanding of how terrain, weather and conditions affect a day in the hills.
Runs like this aren’t just about fitness. They’re valuable time spent learning to move confidently through mountain terrain.
And, of course, sometimes it’s simply about getting out there and enjoying it.
Watch the run
I’ve also put together a short video from the evening, capturing a little of the route and the atmosphere up on Kinder Scout.
It’s only a short glimpse of the run, but hopefully it gives you a feel for what the evening was like.
Just get out there
The best thing about mountain running is that it doesn’t always need to be complicated.
Pick a route, check the weather, take the right kit, give yourself enough time — and go.
Sometimes the best runs aren’t the fastest or the longest. They’re the ones where you come back thinking:
“I’m glad I went out tonight.”
This was definitely one of those.
Edale → Kinder Scout → 6.77 miles → 1,624ft of ascent → sunset.
Not a bad way to spend an evening.
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