I know this might cause a debate, but the whole Jacobs Ladder effort is best ridden clockwise. I ride a hardtail – anticlockwise means shallower downhills, and what with all the rocks, it’s a bit harder to keep momentum. Plus Jacobs Ladder is impossible as a climb. If anyone can ride it, then I think they should face trial by water for being a witch!
Seriously though, this is what I’d recommend. Start at Edale and climb to Hollins Cross. Contour around Mam Tor then onto Rushup Edge. Down into Roych Clough and back up Mt Famine. Then Coldwell Clough into Hayfield. If you think you’re in the zone, you can go through to the Sett Valley trail and climb Lantern Pike and then a quarry road for a drop into Rowarth. Then out and across Middle Moor to the Shooting Cabin. If you’re feeling merely human, climb Snake Path from Hayfield to the cabin. Drop to the reservoir, back up to Kinderlow End then down into Oaken Clough. One horrible drag to the top the Ladder – take five and then give it some welly. Cruise back to Edale for tea and medals. Lovely.
Whatever you do, think of all the people who cannot ride this stuff that often while you are doing it. Either in sympathy or smugness.