Dovedale - Just Play | Sun 01 Oct 2023 - 09:00AM

For those of you who are walking with us for the first time - Welcome to Ramsoc! On today’s walk we will be exploring beautiful Dovedale, one of the most famous places in the Peak District. Dovedale features a steep wooded ravine with incredible limestone formations such as pillars and caves, and of course the picturesque Dovedale Stepping Stones. We are offering up to 4 walks today, ranging in length and difficulty, which are described below. Walks 1 and 2 are ideal for those new to hiking or enjoy a social, slow-paced walk with plenty of photo opportunities (and a bit longer in the pub). Walks 3 and 4 are more challenging, covering more distance and ascent. They require a faster walking pace with fewer stops.

What to bring

  • Walking Boots - NOT TRAINERS
  • Suitable trousers for walking - NOT JEANS
  • 2L of Water (3L on long or hot days)
  • Backpack (20-30 litres is ideal)
  • Waterproof Coat
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Warm Layers - Especially during our colder months. (Don’t forget those hats and gloves)

More information can be found on the gear page

Cost

Members: £13

Non-members: £18

Where to meet us

For the Sunday hikes we provide transport for you to and from the location of the hike. Please see below the timings and location of the bus stops. ARRIVE 5 MINUTES BEFORE TIMINGS

  1. 09:00 - Speaks.Month.Jabs | Tesco Extra taxi rank in Beeston
  2. 09:04 - Hosts.Overnight.Logic | Broadgate Park
  3. 09:07 - Warns.Stir.Secure | Lenton Grove (Humanities)
  4. 09:09 - Number.Villa.Files | David Ross Sports Village
  5. 09:11 - Pulled.Caves.Port | Lincoln Hall
  6. 09:16 - Apply.Extra.Rewarding | Marchwood Close (For Jubilee and Wollaton)
  7. 09:18 - Mole.Retain.Also | Raleigh Park
  8. 09:21 - Client.Gravy.Belt | Willoughby Avenue (For Lenton)
  9. 09:26 - Spray.Unable.Rental | University East Entrance Bus Stop (Dunkirk)
  10. 09:28 - Focus.Giving.Ranked | East Drive Bus Stop
bus route

Walk 1

Dovedale Classic (Shorter)

Walk 1 begins at a bus stop on the A515 by Aslop Station Car Park (SK 155 549). Follow the footpath southwest for 250m and cross Green Lane. Continue straight for 750m. At Nabs View bear right at the fork. Shortly after, bear right again and descend into Dovedale, meeting the river at Dove Holes. Handrail with the River Dove on the right for 3km, passing Ilam Rock, Reynard’s Cave, Tissington Spires, Lover’s Leap until eventually reaching the Stepping Stones. The route departs the river, turning left to follow the footpath up Lin Dale. If time forbids it, it is possible to ascend Thorpe Cloud for the incredible views of Dovedale. Climbing Thorpe Cloud will add 1km to the route and △ 80m of elevation (roughly 30 minutes). Take the first right out of Lin Dale down a track into Thorpe. Turn left at the road and follow it for 250m. Turn right and follow the road for 750m. Cross Spends Lane and follow the footpath across the Tissington Trail and fields for 1km until it reaches Fenny Bentley. Turn left down Ashes Lane and turn right down the footpath by the church. Cross the A515 and finish the walk at the Coach & Horses (SK 175 500).

Walk 2

Dovedale and Bunster Hill (Shorter)

Walk 2 begins at a bus stop on the A515 by Aslop Station Car Park (SK 155 549). Follow the footpath southwest for 250m and turn right, briefly following Green Lane. Bear left and follow the footpath along the outcrop towards Shining Tor for 1.5km. The path steeply descends, meeting the river at Milldale. Handrail with the River Dove on the right for 2km, passing Dove Holes, until reaching Ilam Rock. Turn right and cross the footbridge, the path then steeply ascends through Dovedale Wood. Upon reaching the top of the dale, turn left and follow the footpath through fields by the top edge of Dovedale Wood for 1km. At Ilamtops Farm, turn left and follow the footpath down Bunster Hill for 750m. At the crossroads turn left and follow permissive footpath that follows the contour around the edge of Bunster Hill. At the River Dove, turn left and follow the footpath and cross the Stepping Stones. The route departs the river, following the footpath up Lin Dale. If time forbids it, it is possible to ascend Thorpe Cloud for the incredible views of Dovedale. Climbing Thorpe Cloud will add 1km to the route and △ 80m of elevation (roughly 30 minutes). Take the first right out of Lin Dale down a track into Thorpe. Turn left at the road and follow it for 250m. Turn right and follow the road for 750m. Cross Spends Lane and follow the footpath across the Tissington Trail and fields for 1km until it reaches Fenny Bentley. Turn left down Ashes Lane and turn right down the footpath by the church. Cross the A515 and finish the walk at the Coach & Horses (SK 175 500).

Walk 3

Dovedale Classic (Longer)

Walk 3 begins at a lay-by on the A515 (SK159 565). Turn left down Liffs Road and abruptly turn left again to follow the Tissington Trail for 1km. At Nettly Knowle turn right and follow the footpath as it descends into the dale. At the crossroads, turn left and follow the footpath, meeting the river at Coldeaton Bridge. Turn left and follow the river for 1.5km until you reach the road at Load Mill. Turn left and follow the road for 250m. Turn right and follow the steep footpath up Shining Tor. Turn right and follow the footpath along the outcrop for 1.25km. Handrail with the River Dove on the right for 4km, passing Dove Holes, Ilam Rock, Reynard’s Cave, Tissington Spires, Lover’s Leap until eventually reaching the Stepping Stones. The route departs the river, turning left to follow the footpath up Lin Dale. If time forbids it, it is possible to ascend Thorpe Cloud for the incredible views of Dovedale. Climbing Thorpe Cloud will add 1km to the route and △ 80m of elevation (roughly 30 minutes). Take the first right out of Lin Dale down a track into Thorpe. Turn left at the road and follow it for 250m. Turn right and follow the road for 750m. Cross Spends Lane and follow the footpath across the Tissington Trail and fields for 1km until it reaches Fenny Bentley. Turn left down Ashes Lane and turn right down the footpath by the church. Cross the A515 and finish the walk at the Coach & Horses (SK 175 500).

Walk 4

Dovedale and Bunster Hill (Longer)

Walk 4 begins at a lay-by on the A515 (SK159 565). Turn left down Liffs Road for 250m. Turn left down the footpath and follow it for 1.5km as it descends into the dale, meeting the river at Coldeaton Bridge. Turn left and follow the river for 1.5km until you reach the road at Load Mill. Turn left and follow the road for 250m. Turn right and follow the steep footpath up Shining Tor. Turn right and follow the footpath along the outcrop for 1.25km. The path steeply descends, meeting the river at Milldale. Handrail with the River Dove on the right for 2km, passing Dove Holes, until reaching Ilam Rock. Turn right and cross the footbridge, the path then steeply ascends through Dovedale Wood. Upon reaching the top of the dale, turn left and follow the footpath through fields by the top edge of Dovedale Wood for 1km. At Ilamtops Farm, turn left and follow the footpath down Bunster Hill for 750m. At the crossroads turn left and follow permissive footpath that follows the contour around the edge of Bunster Hill. At the River Dove, turn left and follow the footpath and cross the Stepping Stones. The route departs the river, following the footpath up Lin Dale. If time forbids it, it is possible to ascend Thorpe Cloud for the incredible views of Dovedale. Climbing Thorpe Cloud will add 1km to the route and △ 80m of elevation (roughly 30 minutes). Take the first right out of Lin Dale down a track into Thorpe. Turn left at the road and follow it for 250m. Turn right and follow the road for 750m. Cross Spends Lane and follow the footpath across the Tissington Trail and fields for 1km until it reaches Fenny Bentley. Turn left down Ashes Lane and turn right down the footpath by the church. Cross the A515 and finish the walk at the Coach & Horses (SK 175 500).

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