Walking in Derbyshire: 60 Circular Walks Across the County

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A route visiting the ten highest peaks/moorland fells of Derbyshire, including Crowden Head, Edale Head (the highest at 2087ft), Bleaklow Head and Hartshorn (the lowest at 1982ft). A guide is available from the LDWA. Continue heading in a northerly direction, through a narrow gate, then after 50 m bear right following the fingerpost sign to Youlgreave (Cliff Farm). In the distance, you’ll see Anthony Hill as you walk through various fields with wooden gates between them. A gate on the route near Anthony Hill

There are also numerous wooden and stone stiles, along the route that might not be that easy with a larger dog (I met a couple who had had to lift their dog over a couple!) After admiring the view, take the continuing path signed 'Monsal Trail and Viaduct', descending steeply on steps. Fork left at a junction towards 'Viaduct and Monsal Trail', descending to the trail at the western portal of the Headstone Tunnel. Cross the viaduct, then fork right through a gate towards 'Monsal Head via Netherdale' at a junction of bridleways. Turn right along the valley, go underneath the viaduct and through a squeeze stile. As you would expect from Cicerone, each walk is clearly detailed including distance, terrain and local points of interest. Some walks are easy, some more challenging, providing a range of difficulties for all. Walk across the next three fields, over stiles, with Bleakley Plantation on your left. You’ll reach a fingerpost signposted Public Footpath (in three directions) and Youlgreave. Keep walking in a north-easterly direction (signposted Public Footpath). There are some steep drops from the cliffsnear Robin Hood’s Stride so please be careful, especially if you’re doing the walk with children.I have always found Cicerone guidebooks to be well produced with excellent introductions to the area in question and containing detailed descriptions of well-chosen walks. This new guide is no exception.

You’ll then walk through another four fields, across stone stiles, before reaching a wooden gate that crosses the road. Then another small gate will lead you to a road, cross the road (Cliff Lane) and then continue along the path descending gradually to Cliff Farm, via a wooden stile, then a stone stile in the corner of the field. You’ll see a signpost for Robin Hood’s Stride and Middleton Dale (keep heading towards Middleton Dale). It’s a circular walk so don’t panic, you’ll head towards Robin Hood’s Stride later on the walk. Go through the opening in the dry stone wall, between the two stone pillars (one with arrows pointing left towards Middleton and Hoppin Farm). Then head diagonally across to the boundary wall and follow the wall east to a stone stile. Bear left through the gap in the stone wall You’ll spot the Duke of York pub in the village, but this is only open from 8.30 pm, so no good for a post-walk drink!As you reach the beginning of Bradford Dale on your walk, look out for the unique books in the wall, next to the old sheep dips! If you read from top to bottom, you can read jabout them. Beginning of Bradford Dale Follow the path down towards a caravan park (the public footpath takes you through the middle). Sign on the way through the caravan park The path takes you through a stone stile and the driveway of the house next to the trail, and out the other side through a small gate into a field.

A 85 mile (137km) meandering circuit which visits many of the limestone dales, including Dove Dale, Miller’s Dale and Hay Dale and passes Chatsworth House and Park, Haddon Hall and the Castleton show caves. A guide is available from the LDWA. Walking highlights - Bleaklow is wild and can be challenging but it does have its rewards. Grains-in-the-Water provides solitude and stunning moorland landscapes. Circular walks using sections of the Pennine Way are also a feature of this area. Love the walks in the White Peak Area of the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks. Walking highlights - Dramatic Dovedale and its sister dales are typical of the White Peak with limestone outcrops a character of the landscape. The Manifold Valley, lying to the west of Dovedale, also has much to offer walkers including Thor's Cave perched high on the valley side. Between the Dove and Manifold valleys lies high ground, including Ecton Hill and the villages of Alstonefield and Wetton which provide a good base for Peak District walks in this area.

Dark Peak South - Longendale & Bleaklow Walks

On the walk route, there are no toilets, however, if you needed a toilet there are two options, both slightly off the route, but there’s a public toilet at Middleton (400 m) and also one at Youlgreave (200 m) too (Donations accepted so take some change with you). All walks have been plotted using Ordnance Survey online mapping tools. The main paper maps for the area are the OS Explorer Dark Peak OL1 and White Peak OL24. Harvey and the BMC Dark Peak maps are also useful. Always take a map and compass, even if you are using a GPS device.

A 205 mile-long (330km) National Trail running through the Pennine hills from Middleton in Derbyshire to Ravenstonedale in Cumbria designed especially for use by horse-riders and cyclists but open to walkers. More information from National Trails here. There is no car park, but there are free places available on the road near the church where you can start the walk from. Public transport

Dark Peak South - Edale & Kinder Scout Walks

Turn right up the road for a short distance and you’ll reach a sign saying Robin Hood’s Stride 1/4 mile away. But first, if you want a little detour, follow the boundary fence around for 200 m to the Stone Circle. You can start the walk at Elton, follow the route instructions, stage 1 to Tomlinson Wood andinstead of bearing left, walk straight on, descending towards to Harthill Moor Farm. Where to stay - Hartington, Alstonefield, Wetton, Grindon and Ashbourne are all convenient for this area. Map - Dovedale Manifold Valley