Guided Trail on the Limestone Way

46 miles. 8–10 miles and up to 1,900 feet of ascent in a day

With the recent acquisition of the Peveril of the Peak Hotel, we have made some small adjustments to the trail to suit the new location. Your leader will inform you of any changes to the programme at the start of your holiday.

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Castleton to Taddington - We commence our walk from Castleton. As we start the long ascent of Cavedale, the ruins of the Norman Peveril Castle are high above. Emerging on to Old Moor we are in an area mined for lead since Roman times and pass disused mines. The scenery changes as we descend into the National Nature Reserves of Hay Dale and Peter Dale. At Millers Dale we cross the River Wye as it flows beneath the viaducts that carried the Midland Railway. Closed in 1968, it is now the Monsal Trail. Our final ascent of the aptly-named Long Lane brings us to the Waterloo Inn at Taddington for refreshments. Distance 10¼ miles with 1,900 feet of ascent

Day 3: Taddington to Youlgreave - Leaving Taddington along Sough Lane we pass close to the highest Megalithic tomb in England at Five Wells. Continuing through the village of Flagg, we arrive in Monyash where for centuries a Barmote Court presided over the administration of lead mining. We leave Monyash by way of Lathkill Dale which is a National Nature Reserve in the care of Natural England. On our way down the dale we visit Ricklow Quarry. Towards the bottom of the dale we come to Bateman’s House and the remains of the Mandale Mine. Shortly after Bateman’s House the remains of the Mandale Mine Engine House can be viewed. After descending from the Mine, the tail of the Mandale Sough can be seen immediately opposite, on the river side of the path. After a pleasant riverside walk and a short ascent we arrive in the village of Youlgreave. Distance 9¼ miles with 700 feet of ascent

Day 4: Youlgreave to Grangemill - From Youlgreave we descend to Bradford Dale and then ascend towards Harthill Moor. From Robin Hood’s Stride, we divert briefly to ‘the Hermit’s Cave’ or ‘Cratcliff Hermitage’. Continuing along an old trade route, ‘the Portway’, we look down on the small town of Winster. Field paths take us through Bonsall and Ible to end our day with refreshments in the Holly Bush Inn on the Via Gellia at Grangemill. Distance 9¾ miles with 1,300 feet of ascent

Day 5: This is a day without any walks programmed, giving you the opportunity to explore the local area independently, or to use the Country House facilities.

Day 6: Grangemill to Peveril of the Peak - We return to the Via Gellia, a gradual ascent brings us to the disused trackbed of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. We cross the limestone moors to Ballidon which is a cul-de-sac hamlet and known in Derbyshire as a ‘pudding bag end’. Then, through Parwich, and on to the village of Tissington, celebrated for its Ascension Day well dressings. There will be plenty of time to explore the village before continuing to the Country House. Distance 9¼ miles with 1,425 feet of ascent

Day 7: Peveril of the Peak to Hartington - Leaving the Country House, we are immediately confronted with superb views of Thorpe Cloud (942ft), which the more energetic may wish to ascend. A gentle descent of Lin Dale brings us to the famous stepping stones over the River Dove linking Derbyshire with Staffordshire. We follow the river upstream past fascinating limestone sculptures with evocative names, such as Tissington Spires, Reynard's Cave, Lion Head Rock, Ilam Rock and Dove Holes. Reaching the hamlet of Milldale we cross the picturesque Viator’s Bridge into Staffordshire. Continuing upstream we reach Lode Mill Bridge and cross back onto the Derbyshire bank of the river and enter Wolfscote Dale. There are many footbridges crossing the river but we continue to the last one where we again cross onto the Staffordshire bank and walk up Beresford Dale to the Pike Pool. Here we cross the River Dove for the last time back into Derbyshire and continue to the small market town of Hartington. Distance 10 miles with 600 feet of ascent

Day 8: Departure day