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Monyash, just to the east of the main Ashbourne to Buxton road, is a typical village of the White Peak. Clustered around the church, the stone built-cottages and farms still form a viable community even though the role of the village has changed dramatically in the last half century. There is a small car-park (grid ref. SK 149666) with additional limited on-street parking. With two cafes and a pub refreshments are normally available. A shorter alternative is Walk 3046 which also includes further illustrations. Providing varied scenery throughout, this walk is a popular excursion. On fine days the paths can be busy although most people will be enjoying shorter excursions than the route described. From the cross-roads in the centre of the village take the road south quickly turning left along the "Limestone Way" across fields to One Ash Grange Farm. The path leads down the left hand side of the farm to drop down steeply into the bottom of Cales Dale. You now have your first sight of the upper reaches of Lathkill Dale which you will see in more detail on the return leg of the walk. From the depths of Cales Dale, climb the steep steps as you make for Calling Low where the footpath has been diverted from its original route. With the steepest climb behind you good speed can be maintained for the rest of the walk. Continuing on the "Limestone Way" make for the eastern corner of Low Moor Plantation and make for the car park and picnic area just off the Conksbury road. The only part of the walk that needs any map reading skills now follows. You need to descend into Bradford Dale by using the footpaths and road to reach Lomberdale Hall. Follow the road towards Middleton as far as the sharp bend and then take the path down to the weir. Cross the river and walk east towards Alport passing attractive pools as you progress downstream. If you need some refreshment there is a café on the north bank (grid ref. 208640) which has good cakes. Above the valley is the village of Youlgreave worth exploring if you have time and energy. Stay with the river, keeping on the south bank, all the way down Bradford Dale to Alport, a small village worth a few minutes exploration. The route now continues along Lathkill Dale. There are three distinct sections to the dale. On the first section as far as Conksbury Bridge you stay on the west bank of the river crossing fields in a wide valley. More refreshments are available here. From Conksbury Bridge onwards you stay on the north bank and enter the second of the distinct sections of the Dale. In complete contrast to the lower section, the dale suddenly becomes wooded and narrows. As in Bradford Dale there are pools contained behind a series of weirs. Used to the open landscapes of moor and mountain, I find this section quite claustrophobic but it is easy walking and the deciduous woods make a nice change from dark regimented conifers. Suddenly you reach the final section of the dale with limestone outcrops replacing the wooded slopes. This is the most dramatic section of the walk and you soon reach the foot of Cales Dale which you crossed earlier in the day. The Dale narrows and you will note the stream appearing from a cave on your left (grid ref. 173656). You are now walking in a dry valley so typical of limestone country in many parts of Britain. Gradually the valley becomes shallower until you emerge into fields and reach the main road. Turn left into the village and within a few minutes you are back at your car. Suggested Maps It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.
Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps. Overdale Cottage, Youlgrave, Bakewell - Derbyshire Darwin Forest Country Park, Matlock - Derbyshire Rock Cottage, Alport, Nr Bakewell - Derbyshire Roseleigh Hotel, Buxton - Derbyshire 3, New Houses, Cressbrook - Derbyshire Cotterill Farm Cottages, Hartington - Derbyshire Hargate Hall, Wormhill near Buxton - Derbyshire Thorpe Farm Bunkhouse, Hathersage - Derbyshire Cannon Croft, Hathersage - Derbyshire Swiss House, Castleton - Derbyshire Self Catering Directory Walks & Peaks Bedsearcher Hostelbookers - Hostels in England, Scotland and Wales
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