This walk from Hartington in Derbyshire follows a section of the River Dove. The route takes you through three limestone dales and across typical farming country for the area.
(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 crosses open pastures before entering woodland at the start of 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 footbridge and continue south to a second footbridge at the end of Beresford Lane. 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 progress is fast on the well maintained path. 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)Most walkers will be veering left here, instead bear right and continue up the dale which gradually gets shallower before reaching a lane at Dalehead (grid ref. SK152586). Turn left along the lane and in a short distance take the signed footpath on the right that leads across fields towards the village of Biggin. Reaching a road, turn right and then sharp left following the road north towards the village. Reaching a T-junction, turn left passing the Church on your left. Continue along this road passing the pub on your right.
(4)Reaching a junction (grid ref. SK148595) continue straight ahead. The road bear right and on the left you will see a walled track (Highfield Lane). Follow this across the high ground. After just over a mile you reach High Cross Lane (grid ref. SK132603). Turn left, walk past Hartington Hall on your right and descend to the main road. Turn left and you are soon back in the centre of Hartington.(E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 232 m - Hartington village
1 : km 1.6 - alt. 246 m - Cross footbridge and continue south
2 : km 4.32 - alt. 207 m - Turn left up Biggin Dale
3 : km 6.24 - alt. 264 m - Bear right towards Dalehead
4 : km 8.53 - alt. 285 m - Continue ahead at junction
S/E : km 10.84 - alt. 232 m - Hartington village
Useful Information
Hartington is a good centre for walking with refreshments easily obtained. Parking, except on very busy days is generally fairly easy with on street parking around the duck pond in the village centre. There is also a car park a short way out of town on the south side of the B5045 towards Hulme End. This walk includes three dales - Beresford, Wolfscote and Biggin - together with the village of Biggin and a section across the higher land south of Hartington.
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.
