A riverside walk in the Peak District
Dovedale is a glorious medley of soaring limestone pinnacles, secret caves and natural arches, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Peak District.
Through its heart burbles the crystal-clear waters of the River Dove, dubbed “the princess of rivers.”
On this walk we’ll find out what makes the river so regal, how this rocky wonderland was created, and how it became an inspiration for Romantic poets and painters.
From the car park, turn right and walk up the road past the water company’s flow meter. Stop by the first bridge and look up at the hills on either side.
Please note, this walk has two options for its return route:
1. the flatter option is to retrace your steps back down Dovedale (total distance = 6 miles)
2. the higher level option is a circular route back around Ilam Tops and Bunster Hill
See Stop 6 for full details. (Total distance = 6.5 miles)
This trail was originally developed by Roly Smith for the Royal Geographical Society’s Discovering Britain.
Roly is a keen walker and the author of over 90 books on the British countryside. He has been recently described as one of Britain’s most knowledgeable countryside writers.
Thanks are also due to Dan Seagrave for use of his photograph of Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud (CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr).
Dovedale is managed and cared for by the National Trust.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ilam-park-dovedale-and-the-white-peak/features/visiting-dovedale