8:00 start with 17:30 return
A Walk - Longnor to Alstonefield following the Dove valley with Katie Clenshaw
11.7 miles (18.8km) with 1,850ft (565m) Total Ascent
Leaving the coach at Longnor, we take the track from “Top o´th Edge” down to Beggar´s Bridge before heading north west to climb Hitter Hill. From here, we drop down to Earl Sterndale and follow the road to our next short but steep climb up High Wheeldon.
From the top of High Wheeldon we follow paths across access land, firstly towards Crowdicote, then along the top of the Pilsbury Hill access land to the road just above Pilsbury. Here we take the footpath to Hartington, with views towards the limestone hills where we are heading.
From Hartington we take the path beside the public toilets to Beresford Dale. We continue walking through Wolfscote Dale, where were cross a footbridge and climb steeply out of the valley before heading across the fields to Alstonefield and the coach home.
B+ Walk - Hall Dale and Wetton with Sue Banister
10 miles (16km) with 1,528ft (466m) Total Ascent
From Alstonfield we drop down to Milldale then climb up around Hanson Grange and The Nabs. Nabs Dale then takes us down to Dove Holes where we follow the River Dove to Ilam Rock and cross the foot bridge. After heading north for a short while we enter the beautiful Hall Dale and follow this before taking a path south to reach Ilam moor Lane.
A short stretch south on the lane brings us to Moor Barn where we turn right to Castern Hall. We then head in a northerly direction following the edge of Castern Wood Nature Reserve and on to the lovely village of Wetton. After skirting Wetton Hill we head through fields past Gateham Farm and back to Alstonefied.
B Walk - Five Dales with Dave Colbert
9½ miles (15km) with 1,000ft (300m) Total Ascent
Carboniferous limestone (the same stuff as found in the Yorkshire Dales) makes the White Peak ‘white’. Over time, the action of water has eroded the plateau, creating a number of dramatic river valleys of which that of the Dove is arguably the most spectacular. On this walk we will follow the course of this river through its quieter upper gorge, together with visits to a few other dales.
Starting from Alstonefield we head generally northwards through fields and across the south–eastern flank of Narrowdale Hill, eventually meeting the River Dove as it flows out of Beresford Dale. We then follow the river down–stream through the beautiful gorge of Wolfscote Dale, then Mill Dale and into Dove Dale, passing the caves at Dove Holes before reaching the limestone pillar of Ilam Rock. A gradual climb through the deep–cut ravine of Hall Dale leads us to the small settlement of Stanshope, from where we dip into and out of Hope Dale on the return to Alstonefield.
C Walk - Alstonefield to Hartington with Dorothy Dobson
6 miles (9.6km) with 350ft (107m) Total Ascent
We leave Alstonefield (toilets available) heading south east with a steady descent along a narrow country lane leading to the charming hamlet of Milldale. From here we head east along the road for a short distance to find the path along the River Dove. We now follow the Dove northwards to Coldeaton Bridge and along Wolfscote Dale. Then it´s the woods of Beresford Dale before exiting into fields for the climb to Hartington for refreshments before the coach picks us up.
