logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Bradford & Lathkill Dales from Monyash

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Lathkill Dale High Peak

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 11.3 miles / 18.3 km    Ascent - 875 feet / 265 metres

Time - 6 hours 30 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL24Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 119Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 119Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Bradford & Lathkill Dales
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.

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 Peak District 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.

Above the valley on your left 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. 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.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3709 Sparklow, Crowdicote & Pilsbury Circulareasy/mod9.0 miles
Walk 1206 Chelmorton & Flagg from Taddingtoneasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1651 Monsal Trail & Ashford-in-the-Water from Lees Bottom easy/mod8.8 miles
Walk 3341 Brushfield, Miller's Dale & Monsal Head from Lees Bottom easy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 1569 Lathkill Dale & Bradford Dale easy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1589 Lathkill & Bradford Dales (short version) easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1590 Monyash & Lathkill Dale easy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1043 Chelmorton & the Monsal Traileasy/mod8.1 miles
Walk 1945 Lathkill Dale & Over Haddon circulareasy/mod5.7 miles
Walk 1369 Tissington Trail - Hartington to Parsley Heyeasy4.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Great Mountain Days in the Pennines

Great Mountain Days in the PenninesAn inspirational guidebook to 50 classic walks on the rolling Pennine landscape. The graded routes, between 6 and 13 miles in length, cover classic Pennine fells and moorland such as Whernside, Ilkley Moor and Pendle Hill; exploring the North and South Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Howgills and Dark Peak. Many routes are also suited to fell running.
More information

Dark Peak Walks

Dark Peak WalksGuidebook to 40 walks in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. 35 circular routes for most abilities, from 8km to 19km, around Edale, Marsden, Fairholmes, Baslow and Castleton, including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor, and 5 longer (25km to 45km) routes highlighting the best of the Gritstone Edges, High Moorland and Deep Valleys.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.