Beresford, Wolfscote & Biggin Dales from Hartington
This Derbyshire walk starts from the village of Hartington and explores three limestone Dales. The route follows the River Dove and also includes a section through drystone walled fields above the village.
(S)To start the walk, follow the B5054 south from the village centre. Close to the public toilets on the left hand side you will locate the signed path into Wolfscote Dale. The path is well used and easy to follow and initially crosses open pastures before entering woodland. You are now in Beresford Dale. The path soon reaches the River Dove and you follow this well-known river south to reach a footbridge (grid ref. SK128588).
(1)Cross this to the other side of the river and continue south to a second footbridge at the end of Beresford Lane (grid ref. SK128586). Cross the river here and continue alongside the river through an open field to enter Wolfscote Dale. There is a dramatic change in scenery as you enter a steep sided valley. The onward route is clear and the path good and you can make excellent progress down the Dale. After a mile and a half you reach the point where Biggin Dale comes in from the left (grid ref. SK142569).
(2)Turn left here and make your way up steep sided Biggin Dale. The path is easy to follow but is quite rough underfoot in places. In very wet weather there may be a stream but normally the valley is dry - a typical feature of limestone country. Eventually you reach an open area (grid ref. SK145587) where a smaller dale comes in from the right. Careful navigation is required here.
(3)Do not bear right, instead go left and follow the path a short distance to a junction of paths (grid ref. SK144588). Veer right here and follow the Dale, which becomes quite shallow up to a road (grid ref. SK147595). Turn left onto the road and take the unsurfaced lane on your left. This is Highfield Lane. Follow this track until you reach a footpath sign on your left (grid ref. SK139599).
(4)Follow this footpath across fields to a walled track (grid ref. SK132599). Turn right up this track to reach a road. Turn left, walk past Hartington Hall on your right and descend into Hartington. Reaching the main road, turn left and you will soon be back in the centre of the village.(E)
Waypoints
S : km 0 - alt. 232 m - Hartington village
1 : km 1.59 - alt. 247 m - Cross footbridge and continue south
2 : km 4.3 - alt. 207 m - Turn left up Biggin Dale
3 : km 6.23 - alt. 263 m - Take lefthand path
4 : km 8.33 - alt. 314 m - Take lefthand path
E : km 9.71 - alt. 236 m - Hartington village
Useful Information
Hartington is a good centre for walkers. The village, with its green and duck pond, has a range of places to eat and usually has ample parking. On busy days you may have to use the pay and display car park on the B5054 a short way from the centre in the direction of Hulme End. This walk explores Wolfscote Dale, through which the River Dove flows and the adjoining Biggin Dale, which for most of the year is a dry valley. The landscape is typical of the 'White Peak' with limestone outcrops common in this area.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 03/11/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
An excellent walk very wet when we did it but still passable.Take extra care at point 4,dont take track on left,walk further to path thru fields.
Mick Hick
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 12/06/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Lovely walk, easy to follow, easy going mostly but Biggin Dale was quite rocky and uneven underfoot. It's a circular walk and starts near a car park and public toilet in Hartington, so it's very convenient.
Saw Curlews, Dippers and Wheatears and many interesting wild flowers.
