(S)Roadside parking is available on Back Lane at grid ref. SK192644 or the small car park a short distance away at SK194644. Having parked, walk east along Back Lane towards Conksbury. Take the first signed footpath on the left (grid ref. SK197647) and follow this across field to Meadow Place Grange. Continue through the buildings and take the path heading northeast towards Lathkill Dale. The path descends the side of the Dale, turning sharp left before you reach the bridge over the River Lathkill.
(1)Cross the bridge below Over Haddon (grid ref. SK202661) and turn right down the Dale with the River Lathkill on your right. Conksbury Bridge (grid ref SK211656) is the next landmark. Here you cross the bridge using the road and walk a short way along the lane before taking the first footpath on your left. This leads you through walled fields down to the main road at Alport (grid ref. SK220645). Cross the road and take the signed footpath opposite. This leads you up Bradford Dale with the River Bradford on your right. Continue alongside the River to reach Mawstone Lane (grid ref SK213639).
(2)Cross the river here and take the path on your left. You are now back on the Limestone Way. The river is now on your left and is followed upstream with the village of Youlgreave high above you on your right. At the next footbridge (grid ref. SK208640) you can reach the village centre by following the lane on your right uphill. To continue, cross the River Bradford here and follow the dale upstream with the river once again on your right.
(3)At grid ref. SK199636, the Limestone Way turns right across the River Bradford. Once across ignore the minor path on your right taking the wider path as it climbs uphill to reach a road (grid ref. SK197637). Turn right along the road and follow the pavement past Lomberdale Hall on your left. Shortly after, there is a signed footpath on the other side of the road on your left. Take this uphill to reach another lane (grid ref. SK198641). Ignore the footpath opposite; instead turn left along the road for a short distance to take the Limestone Way signed on your right. This climbs out of the Dale and you are soon back at either the car park or roadside parking. If you are lucky the ice-cream man may be waiting for you to return!(E)
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 308 m - Parking area on Back Lane
1 : km 2.34 - alt. 191 m - Cross bridge below Over Haddon
2 : km 5.92 - alt. 145 m - Cross river and take lefthand path
3 : km 7.6 - alt. 185 m - Turn right across River Bradford
S/E : km 9.56 - alt. 308 m - Parking area on Back Lane
Useful Information
This varied walk includes the lower section of Lathkill Dale, provides a chance to visit the village of Youlgreave and includes a section of Bradford Dale. Walking is generally easy and the route is mostly well signed. Opportunities for refreshment are limited and a visit to Youlgreave is necessary to quench your thirst.
You can start the walk counter-clockwise as opposed to clockwise if you wish, that way one isn't finishing the walk with a steep haul up from the river to the start/end point.
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.
Two good swim spots on both rivers ( if the Water level is good).
Excellent veggie cafe in Youlgreave half way round.
Reviews and comments
4.2 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Clarity of route description 4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map 4 / 5
Walk interest 4.2 / 5
medave
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 17/07/22 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Variety of scenery. Well worth doing
Mads north
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 24/03/22 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Great walk. Mostly along river banks with expansive views of typical peak district landscape. Weather lovely . Instructions good although went wrong at the last point. But managed to get back to car via roads.
Delphinium
Thank you for those feedbacks. I modified the document accordingly.
Please don't hesitate to share more details regarding the description so we can adjust it. ;-)
Enjoy the hike
Delphine - Community Developper
Dog walker
Overall rating :
3.7 / 5
Date of walk : 27/10/21 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Please be aware that new car park has opened on the west edge of the village. it is well worth visiting purely for the toilets which are scrupulously clean, have pot plants in and a range of soap and hand cream available. Well worth the £3 donation that is requested. However we attempted to start the walk from here which was doomed to failure and it took us a long time to get on the route. It was only when we were returning to the car park did we find the one we should have started at! It ould have all made sense had we started there!
It isn't fair to comment on a walk we didn't do properly. Our version did include a fair amount of roads, albeit quiet ones. But the countryside and views were beautiful and it was a pleasant change to be away from the dales and into more upland territory.
tcot74
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 08/08/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Excellent walk, first since covid unlock restrictions, so a good walk to start back into it...
Bobwoodcock
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 01/12/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A very good walk along different dales with running water never far away.Car park was a little lonely for me so i parked roadside.
Stanley9
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 20/10/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very good walk really good described route
Abcoombes741
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 01/09/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Good cafe on route half way. Good combo of river side. Hill and village.
Wendy010
Overall rating :
2.7 / 5
Date of walk : 06/08/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★☆☆ Average Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing Walk interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Found the descriptions very hard to follow. Had to turn back twice and retrace our steps. The last bit up to the car park is a killer. I wouldn’t describe this walk as easy at all. Not a very enjoyable walk all in all.
donder
• Last modified:
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 01/04/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Due to my error in my determination of the start point, I took what would probably be called the medium walk. Fortuitous as it turned out. I entered Lathkill dale via Calling Low dale. The stone steps down could be a little bit awkward in places.
Other than that, my only suggestion would be to do the walk counter-clockwise as opposed to clockwise. That way one isn't finishing the walk with a steep haul up from the river to the start/end point.
Lomazing
• Last modified:
Overall rating :
4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 07/01/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Lovely walk with views, woods and gentle climbs. Two good swim spots on both rivers ( if the Water level is good). Excellent veggie cafe in Youlgreave half way round. Good walk
