Bleaklow, near Glossop, Derbyshire
B-29 Overexposed Crash Site, Bleaklow
Battle & memorial
Place photograph
7.0
Wildland
Half day
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.0On Bleaklow’s remote moorland plateau lie the remains of a US Air Force B-29 Superfortress that crashed in November 1948. Its engine turbine and part of the fuselage remain at the site, a memorial to the 13 airmen who died.
The long, exposed approach across Bleaklow makes this more than a roadside memorial. The surviving aircraft wreckage sits in a vast, boggy moorland landscape, where the remoteness and difficult conditions are inseparable from the visit.
Atmospheric · Wild · Remote
Find your way
Open mapBleaklow, near Glossop, Derbyshire
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The experience
A serious moorland walk to a sensitive aircraft crash site. The journey crosses exposed, sometimes boggy ground with limited waymarking; the destination is both historic wreckage and a place of remembrance.
Things to do
Visit the B-29 memorial wreckage
Walk to the remote crash site and view the remaining engine turbine and portion of the aircraft body. Do not displace or take any items; the site is a memorial and sensitive to damage.
At least about 2 miles (3.2 km), or approximately an hour’s walk, from the nearest parking opportunities; allow time for the return journey.
Walk the exposed Bleaklow approach
Plan and follow a route across moorland to and from the site. The National Park warns that some sections are unsurfaced, can be wet or boggy, and have limited signage and waymarking.
About an hour each way from the nearest parking opportunities, according to the National Park source.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow at least about 2 hours for the walk to the site and back; the National Park describes the approach as about an hour each way from the nearest parking opportunities.
The memorial walk
- 01
Choose a designated parking area at Crowden or Torside and plan your route before setting out.
- 02
Walk across the exposed moorland to the crash site, allowing for unsurfaced and potentially boggy sections.
- 03
Observe the surviving wreckage respectfully; do not move or remove anything.
- 04
Return by your planned route in daylight.
Half day · Half day; the precise total depends on the chosen start point, route and conditions.
Make a half day of the Bleaklow walk
- 01
Use designated parking at Crowden or Torside, checking arrangements before travel.
- 02
Follow a planned route across Bleaklow to the wreckage and back, leaving time for difficult or boggy sections.
- 03
Take time to view the remains as a memorial and leave the site undisturbed.
- 04
Carry suitable provisions: the supplied National Park source says there are no refreshments or toilets at the named parking areas or crash site.
Verified history
The Peak District National Park states that a US Air Force Superfortress crashed on Bleaklow in November 1948 during a routine domestic flight between UK bases. The site retains an engine turbine and part of the aircraft body and is a memorial to the airmen who died. A supplied video source says all 13 crew members were killed on 3 November 1948.
Hidden details
The wreckage is a protected-by-respect memorial, not a souvenir site — The National Park asks visitors not to move or take aircraft remains, or bring additional structures or mementos. Weather and visitor pressure can further degrade the sensitive site.
When to go
· Daylight only. Check the forecast before departure; no more specific optimal time is confirmed by the supplied sources.
The site is remote and exposed, and the National Park warns that conditions can change dramatically even in summer. The route may be wet or boggy after rain.
Check conditions before setting out. Exposed moorland weather can change dramatically, even in summer. Some route sections may be wet or boggy after rain. Do not attempt the walk outside daylight hours.
The route
- surface
- Some sections are unsurfaced and may be wet or boggy, especially after rain.
- duration
- At least about an hour each way from the nearest parking opportunities; the full route distance depends on the start point.
- difficulty
- Demanding: the National Park says visitors should understand the fitness levels required and be fully prepared.
- waymarking
- Limited signage and waymarking; some sections may be unmarked.
- start point
- Designated parking with access to the Pennine Way is available at Crowden and Torside. Plan the route before setting out.
- parking start
- Use designated parking at Crowden or Torside. Do not park on double yellow lines along the A57 Snake Pass.
- Remote Bleaklow moorland plateau
- Surviving B-29 engine turbine and part of the aircraft body
- Aviation memorial to the crew who died in the 1948 crash
What to look for
- 01
The National Park identifies an engine turbine and a portion of the aircraft body among the remains. Observe them without moving or taking anything
- 02
the site is a memorial and is vulnerable to damage.
The story
Aviation, War & battle
Best time to go
Check the forecast and ground conditions before any visit. The Peak District National Park advises that weather can change dramatically even in summer.
Visit only in daylight, after checking the forecast and planning the route. The National Park warns that conditions can change dramatically even in summer.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Reached by a demanding walk across exposed moorland, at least 2 miles (3.2 km) or about an hour on foot from the nearest parking opportunities. Sections are unsurfaced, may be boggy, and have limited signage and waymarking. Do not attempt outside daylight hours; check current conditions and plan your route before setting out. Treat the wreckage as a memorial: do not remove or disturb anything. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Designated parking with access to the Pennine Way is available at Crowden and Torside. Do not park on double yellow lines along the A57 Snake Pass. Check current parking arrangements before travel.
Check before visiting
Toilets
No toilets at the crash site or the named parking areas, according to the supplied source. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No refreshment facilities at the crash site or the named parking areas, according to the supplied source. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting; no dog-specific rules were confirmed in the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchair access according to the source-row accessibility details. The route is remote, exposed, unsurfaced in places and may be boggy; the National Park says it is not suitable for young children.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around B-29 Overexposed Crash Site, Bleaklow
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
