This walk is an absolute stunner! It starts and ends in the very pretty village of Hartington, which has just about everything you could hope for from a Peak District village. From the village it takes you over fields and through beautiful woodland into Beresford Dale and onwards into Wolfscote Dale, where the path runs beside the crystal-clear River Dove that marks the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The route then returns through the steep-sided Biggin Dale and back into Hartington on quiet lanes with superb views.
This is a walk of just over 5 miles. There are gates, stiles and squeeze stiles. Please be aware that the terrain is very uneven in places through the woodland and dales, and some parts of the walk may be wet underfoot after periods of rain. There are no steep ascents or descents but the route is undulating. You are likely to encounter cows. Street parking in Hartington is free, although please park with consideration for residents and always use the car park (fees apply) located just outside the village if there are spaces. The village is well served with wonderful pubs, cafes and shops, including a renowned cheese shop. There are also public toilets in the village. Allow around 3-4 hours to complete this walk at a moderate pace.
Note: This route is provided in good faith and is correct at the time of publication. Please be aware that routes may be diverted over time as paths and access are altered, particularly in farming areas. Our directions should not be used instead of a map. You should always take a map with you to cross-reference the route.
The Walk
1. Park considerately in the centre of the village. There is a free parking area close to the duck pond and free parking on the streets, and there is also a car park (fees apply) just outside the village. The walk starts from the side of the Hartington Farm Shop & Café. Take the public footpath to the right of the shop that runs between the shop and the toilet block.
2. Follow
this well-marked path through a succession of gates and across fields, with
wonderful views across the White Peak countryside. Where the path reaches a gate that leads on
to a narrow lane, cross the lane and continue on the path through another gate
directly opposite. Again, the path is
well-marked ahead of you.
3. The
path eventually reaches a squeeze stile in a stone wall and heads into the pretty
Morson Wood, which joins Beresford Dale.
The crystal-clear River Dove soon meets and runs to the right of the
path.
4. Cross
a picturesque footbridge over the river, to now walk on the other bank of the
river. You will walk past a tall
limestone column on the left. This area
is known as Pike Pool and has long been a haven for anglers, having associations
with Charles Cotton and Izaak Walton, who wrote The Compleat Angler in
1653. The (private) house that lies behind
the gate on the right just beyond the bridge belonged to Charles Cotton.
5. Follow
the path, staying to the right of the river until you reach a second footbridge. Follow the footpath signs and turn left to cross
the footbridge over the river.
6. Go
through a squeeze stile and into a field, where you should bear gently right
and follow the obvious path. Do not
cross the stile and take the footpath that heads towards the river, but stay
within the field walking to the left of a fence. Go through a small gate set within a stone
wall.
7. Continue through woodland following the path with the river on your right. Do not cross a further footbridge, but instead carry straight on through a gate to enter Wolfscote Dale. There are caves in the limestone cliffs above you, and the River Dove still accompanies you on the right of the path.
8., Continue
on the well-made path through the steep-sided dale, a haven for wildlife.
9. At
an obvious junction of paths, turn left to follow the signpost and head uphill
towards Biggin. Be aware that this part
of the walk can be very wet after periods of rain and good, waterproof boots
are recommended, but it is possible to avoid the puddles with careful walking!
10. The
path heads uphill to the left of a stone wall.
After a short distance you will see a stile on your right with caves to
explore if you wish – mind your head and take a torch! To continue on the walk, carry on straight up
on the main path into Biggin Dale. Be
aware that the terrain is uneven here and the rocks can be slippery,
particularly when wet.
11. At an obvious junction of paths with a signpost, turn left and follow the signs to Hartington, going through a gate. The path forks after approx. 200 metres and you should take the left hand path uphill, again signed for Hartington.
12. The path continues between two stone walls, through a succession of gates and over a stile, through fields with beautiful open views.
13. Where the path reaches a T-junction with a broader track, turn left on the track and then immediately right, still following signs for Hartington. You are now on a quiet lane with wonderful views back towards the village. Continue straight on at a junction of tracks, heading slightly downhill towards the village.
14. At a road junction as you return to the village, turn left. Turn left again at the bottom of Hall Bank and follow the road back to the centre of Hartington and your starting point.
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