This wonderful walk is an absolute gem, starting and ending in the very pretty village of Youlgreave. The route follows the crystal-clear River Bradford through shady woodland, before heading across open countryside to Lathkill Dale. It then follows the course of the River Lathkill through dramatic limestone gorges before returning along field tracks and country lanes to the start point.
This is a walk of 7.6 miles. There are stiles and squeeze stiles, although no terribly steep ascents. Youlgreave is well served for cafes and pubs, as well as shops to buy picnic supplies for an en-route stop. There is plenty of car parking available in Youlgreave, both in car parks (fees apply) or on the road side (please park with consideration for local residents). Allow 3-4 hours to complete this walk at a moderate pace, more if you allow for rest stops and a lunch break.
Youlgreave Walk : Directions
1. The walk sets off from the pretty All Saints Church in Youlgreave (grid ref: SK 21190; postcode: DE45 1WL). There is usually plenty of parking on the roadside close to the church, although please park with consideration for local residents. There is also a public car park close by in the village (fees apply). Walk down Bradford Road, which runs to the side of the church, and follow the quiet road downhill.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
2. As the road bends right and heads towards the River Bradford, take the public footpath on the right just before the river. Head through the wooden gate and follow the obvious path through the pretty dale with the river to your left.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk : River Bradford
3. As
the path ends and joins a lane, go through a squeeze stile and turn immediately
left, crossing the river via a raised path.
Once you’ve crossed the river go through a gate and turn immediately
right, to take the path signed The Limestone Way. The river is now on your right.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
4. Follow
this lovely path until you reach a wide stone bridge over the river, still
signposted for The Limestone Way. Cross
the bridge and head away from the river, taking the left hand path where the
track forks. Follow this winding path up
through trees, now with the river on your right some distance below you.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
5. Where
the path ends and joins a quiet road, go through a gap in the wall and turn
right. Walk along the road a short
distance and then go ahead through a small wooden gate to walk up through a
grassy field, still following signs for The Limestone Way. At the top of the field go over a stile to
join another road, and turn left. Follow
the quiet road for a short distance and then take a path on the right through a
small wooden gate, still following signs for The Limestone Way.
6. Head
up and diagonally left across the field, always staying on the most obvious track
where the path forks. Go through a small
wooden gate in a stone wall to follow a narrow path beside trees. There’s a beautifully-positioned picnic bench
here for a halfway break!
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk : A stunning picnic spot!
7. At
the end of the path, go through a wide wooden gate and turn left on to a quiet
road. Where this quiet road joins a
slightly busier road, cross straight over the road and take the footpath almost
immediately opposite, to rejoin The Limestone Way on an obvious path through
fields. There are two step stiles over
stone walls on the way.
8. Go through a small wooden gate, still signposted for The Limestone Way, and across a further grassy field into woodland. This is Low Moor Wood, purchased by the Peak District National Park Authority in 2001 to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Peak District.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk : Low Moor Wood
9. Follow
the path through the woodland and out through a further wooden gate to emerge
into a grassy field. Follow the obvious
path diagonally left and go through a small wooden gate in a stone wall,
heading towards a line of trees. Go
through a further gate into the trees and follow the obvious path through the
wood towards another small wooden gate.
Cross a grassy area and go through a further two gates to emerge into
open fields.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
10. Cross
the fields following the obvious path towards a kissing gate in a stone wall. Go through the gate and follow the path
across another field downhill, signed to Cales Dale. Go through a further kissing gate, and descend
into Lathkill Dale, following a steep set of steps that zig-zag downhill.
11. At
a four-way fingerpost sign, turn right and follow the path signed to Lathkill
Dale. This pretty winding path goes
through trees and then emerges into a clearing, with the towering limestone
cliffs of Lathkill Dale ahead of you.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk : Lathkill Dale
12. Cross
over a small wooden footbridge and then turn immediately right, to walk with
the clear, shallow River Lathkill on your right. Keep following the obvious path through the gorge,
through a succession of gates and over a squeeze stile, always with the river
to your right.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk : Lathkill Dale
13. You
will pass a pretty collection of waterfalls and, some time later, a picturesque
arched footbridge. Do not cross the
footbridge, but instead keep following the path ahead. Look out for the natural sink holes on your
left, with explanatory signs from Natural England, and further on along the
gorge watch out for the caves in the cliffs on your left.
14. Emerge
through a gate in front of a small collection of houses, directly opposite the
lovely Lathkill Lodge. Turn right immediately
before the houses and cross the stone footbridge over the river ahead of you,
signed ‘Right of Way’. Turn left after
crossing the river and follow the winding path up through trees.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
15. Go
through a wide gate at the end of the path, and follow the obvious path to the
left across the grassy field towards a farm.
Follow the public footpath signs through the farmyard, and then out
through a further gate, signed towards Youlgreave and Middleton.
16. The
path forks soon after passing through another gate, and you should take the
left hand fork to walk alongside the stone wall, keeping the wall on your
left. Go over a step stile over a stone
wall, and continue walking with the wall on your left. There are wonderful views to the village of
Over Haddon.
17. Go
over a further step stile and cross a quiet lane, taking the footpath that is
immediately ahead of you through two squeeze stiles. Follow the obvious path across fields through
a succession of gates, and along a country lane between two stone walls. There are views to Youlgreave village to your
left. On reaching a T-junction with a
quiet road, turn left and head downhill, with the village soon coming into view
ahead of you.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
18. On
reaching the village, follow the road until it emerges in front of the Bull’s
Head pub. Turn left and walk towards the
church, to return to your starting point.
Beautiful Youlgreave Walk
Stay Awhile!
For a great place to eat before or after your walk, or stay overnight when visiting Youlgreave, we recommend Farmyard Inn in the heart of the village. It serves delicious home-cooked food and has four spacious, comfortable guest rooms available on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
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