The B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site on Bleaklow is a must-see when visiting the Peak District. In this guide, I share the details of this popular walk, as well as all the essential info you’ll need before visiting.
Out of all the fantastic sights in the Peak District, the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site is up there with the most unique. The B-29 Superfortress’s wreckage now remains as a memorial site standing in the moors.
The fated plane was part of the United States Air Force 16th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. It tragically crashes on 3rd November 1948 whilst descending in poor visibility and misjudging its distance from the hills. All 13 crew members died instantly.
Today the wreckage remains, and the walk to B29 Overexposed Crash Site is one of the most interesting walks in the Peak District. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, including how to get there, where to park, and the best time to visit.
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B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Walk at a Glance
Distance: 5.5km
Ascent: 139m
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
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B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Walk FAQs
Before I share my experience on the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site walk, let’s cover some key information to help you plan accordingly.
How to Get There
While there are several routes and trails that lead to the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site, the easiest and quickest way is to get to Snake Pass Summit and walk from there.
Snake Pass is a main road in the Peak District that runs for many miles from Glossop to Ladybower Reservoir. Snake Pass Summit is very close to Glossop, just 4 miles away.
Parking at Snake Pass Summit is limited. If you’re visiting on weekends or during school holidays, your best bet would be to arrive early in the morning.
I also saw bus stops by the parking area, but for now, at least, they are out of action. You can take the 237 bus to the bottom of Snake Pass. Then you’d need to walk the rest of the way.
The B29′ Overexposed’ Crash Site is less than a 3km walk from Snake Pass Summit. I’ll take you through the walk details further down the article.
Best Time to Visit
As I mentioned earlier, the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site is a popular attraction in the Peak District. It’s even listed on Atlas Obscura as one of the most unusual hidden gems in the UK.
Regardless of when you visit, it’s unlikely you will be alone on the trail. However, visiting during the week is a good place to start. We went on a Thursday afternoon and saw only a few others.
If you’re visiting over the weekend or during the school holidays, it’s recommended to arrive before 9 am. That way, you will avoid the bulk of the crowds and will have less trouble locating a parking spot.
It’s also worth mentioning that the location of the memorial site is quite remote and rather exposed to the elements. I wouldn’t want to attempt this walk in any extreme weather conditions.
B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Walk Difficulty
I class this walking route as one of the easier walks in the Peak District. That’s because the trail is well-trodden, paved, and easy to follow, and there isn’t much of an incline to worry about either.
I would, however, recommend that you have a map handy. Other than one sign at the very beginning of the hike, I didn’t see any others for the memorial site. There are many trails in this area, which can be disorientating. I used Google Maps to help me locate the crash site.
You can intensify the hike if you wish to. We actually turned our hike into a 14-mile circular walk, including Alport Castles. It was one of the toughest walks we did in the Peak District, but if you’re up for the challenge, I can promise you quite the adventure.
Another way to up the ante of the hike would be to start your walk in Glossop. This circular walk on All Trails is 8.2 miles. There are even trails leading you to Kinder Scout from Snake Pass. If that’s another walk you want to tick off the list, why not kill two birds with one stone?
B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Map
Other Things Worth Knowing
Dogs: The entirety of B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site trail is dog-friendly. Our 11-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua handled the route with no problems.
Kids: B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site trail is child-friendy too. Your kids will love this hike! But please do not allow them to touch or play on the wreckage.
Weather: Be mindful that the weather can change quickly in the Moors, and they can become very disorientating in poor visibility.
Pushchair/Wheelchair Access: Unfortunately, this route is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.
Facilities: There are no facilities nearby. Please bring enough food and water for your hike, and take all your rubbish home.
Map: It’s always good to have a map handy should you get lost or lose the trail. We use All Trails for this purpose.
Hiking Essential Items
Here are some essential items I recommend you have in preparation for your walk:
- Sturdy worn-in hiking boots
- Twin Skin Socks
- A waterproof hiking backpack
- A refillable water bottle
- A waterproof jacket
- Life straw
- Hiking snacks
- Blister plasters
- First aid kit
- Power bank
Here are some other essential for your adventure:
- Find the best places to stay on booking.com
- Get reliable travel insurance from World Nomads
- Download All Trails to help navigate the trails.
- Read books about the Peak District
My Experience on the B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Walk
The remains of a tragic aeroplane crash left scattered across Bleaklow moors. I found it hard to believe. But since the rumours were true, I knew we had to include it on our list of things to do in the Peak District.
I’d already heard about the infamous Snake Pass, so I was excited to finally drive on it. We cruised the mountain pass in our self-converted campervan, taking in the monumental views that the drive allows. It was a weekday, so it was quiet. There was plenty of space at Snake Pass Summit for us to park.
Despite the promise of a dry and sunny day, the outlook was gloomy. It had already rained on the way there, and we were not confident that it wouldn’t happen again. But this is the UK. If you don’t get used to the rain, you won’t get outside very often. So off we went rain jackets in toe.
From the lay-by parking area, we followed the gravel path that leads into the open moorland. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you see the National Trust sign for ‘Hope Woodland Moor’. This trail is part of the infamous Pennine Way.
Despite the weather, a few other groups were out enjoying the trails. We were getting hit with the odd rain shower, but nothing extreme enough to deter us. The path was in excellent condition, but considering the popularity of the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site, I was confused by the lack of signs. I was grateful that we had All Trails to help us guide the way.
We followed the path for 1.7km before taking a left toward the crash site. There was a little stone marker with an arrow on it. You can see it in the photo below. The weather was brightening up by this point, which definitely made the hike all the more enjoyable.
This section of the walk was really nice. The trail hugs a little stream to the right with beautiful views all around. Eventually, there was a stone crossing over the stream, followed by a sign to the left with a black and white arrow marking. Follow that, and you’re just minutes away from the B29 ‘Overexposed’ Crash Site.
The first thing to catch my eye was the American flag dancing in the wind. As cool as this place is and as excited as I was to see it, it’s impossible to forget the tragic events that happened here. There’s an undeniable sombre mood that haunts the site. This a reminder to treat it with respect.
I chatted to a local guy there and couldn’t believe what he had told me. He said that people had come and stolen some of the most valuable parts from the wreckage. But it isn’t all bad news. We walked around in awe at all the memorials people had left in memory of those who lost their lives.
After some time, it was time to continue our walk. We had a long day ahead of us if we were to make it to Alport Castles and back again. But if you’re returning to Snake Pass Summit, you can either go back the way you came or take the trail past Higher Shelf Stones for some epic views.
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Enjoy this B29 'Overexposed' Crash Site Walk
I hope you enjoy this walk as much as we did. It’s one of the easier Peak District hikes, in my opinion, but also one of the most interesting. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Stay adventurous and Happy travels.
Planning a trip around the Peak District? Check out our England series for more travel tips and advice.
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