Kinder Downfall

The water tumbles off the edge like it's changed its mind about going down. Kinder Downfall is a modest waterfall on the edge of Kinder Scout plateau, near the Hope Valley, and it's become rather famous for doing the exact opposite of what waterfalls usually do - in strong winds, the water gets blown back upwards before it hits the ground. Genuinely odd to witness.

You'll need to walk to reach it, which keeps out the casual crowd. The approach from Kinder reservoir takes about an hour each way across moorland, and the path gets boggy - proper boggy - so waterproof boots aren't optional. Most walkers doing the Pennine Way pass through here anyway, so you're rarely alone, but the plateau itself feels genuinely remote.

It's worth the effort if you like high moorland and geological drama. The fall itself isn't tall - maybe 30 metres - and in dry conditions it's barely a trickle. Visit after rain, preferably with a stiff westerly, and you'll understand why it made the news. Kids will find it either the best thing ever or genuinely disappointing depending on weather and their tolerance for boggy slogging. Older walkers treating it as part of a longer circuit will get far more from it.

If you're based at Castleton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, this makes a proper day walk. Allow three to four hours for the round trip with time to sit about and gawp. There's no café, no facilities - bring water and something to eat. Best tackled between late autumn and early spring when water flow is reliable.