Field paths, quiet lanes, walled tracks and a former railway are used for this walk that explores the area to the north of the busy village of Hartington. The route lies wholly within Derbyshire although in the latter part of the walk good views into neighbouring Staffordshire are also enjoyed. The route includes much that is typical of this part of the peak district including the village of Biggin and the upper reaches of the Dove Valley.
Calculated time: 4h40[?] 
Distance : 14.29km
Vertical gain : 199m
Vertical drop : 198m
Highest point : 345m
Lowest point : 233m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Hartington Town Quarter
Starting point : N 53.140798° / W 1.809135° 
(D/A)Hartington can be very busy even in the winter. Parking on the street is usually possible and after finding a space locate the pond in the centre of the village (Grid ref. SK128605). With your back to the pond and facing the main road through the village, walk to the left along the main road (B5054) towards Newhaven. After a short distance, take the lane on the right (Hall Bank) and walk uphill past the very grand Youth Hostel on your left.
(1)Just past the Hostel take the footpath signed on the right (Grid ref. SK132603). This takes a diagonal line across two fields into a walled lane (Highfield Lane). Walk southeast along this lane through scenery typical of this area to reach a tarmac road at Dale End (grid ref. SK147595). Turn right along the road and at the junction take the left fork into Biggin.
(2)Pass the church on your right, and a few metres past the road junction take the signed footpath on your left (Grid ref. SK155593). This leads across fields to the Tissington Trail. Turn left onto this former railway. The going is fast and you soon arrive at the former Hartington Station with its preserved signal box. There are picnic benches and toilets here.
(3)Continue along the Tissington Trail as it meanders across the countryside to reach a junction with the High Peak Trail. The Tissington Trail ends here and you continue ahead following the High Peak Trail through Parsley Hay Station (refreshments in season, toilets etc.). After 400 metres turn left down a signed footpath (Grid ref. SK142639). This leads you down to Darley Farm and a road. Cross the road and continue on the footpath opposite, which climbs across open pastures before descending to Vincent House.
(4)Do follow the clearly signed route through the latter property to reach a lane. Cross the lane and take the poorly marked footpath opposite. This climbs steeply at first before turning northwest to follow a shallow valley past a dew pond to reach a junction of paths (grid ref. SK124633).
(5)Turn left here and climb out of the valley. On your right lies the Upper Dove Valley with the far bank in Staffordshire. The way ahead is clear as this path is well walked. Reaching sight of the large farm at grid ref SK129615, do not be tempted to descend to the road that leads to and from the farm. Instead stay at high level and continue on the footpath to reach a lane (grid ref. SK130612). Turn right along the lane and return to the centre of Hartington.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 233m - Start: Hartington village pond
1 : km 0.45 - alt. 275m - Turn right along footpath
2 : km 2.89 - alt. 301m - Turn left along footpath
3 : km 7.85 - alt. 345m - Continue straight on at trail junction
4 : km 9.92 - alt. 297m - Continue on footpath opposite Vincent House
5 : km 11.21 - alt. 316m - Turn left at path junction
D/A : km 14.29 - alt. 234m - Finish: Hartington village pond
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.57/5
Number of opinions : 7
Description quality : 4.57/5
Routemap quality : 4.57/5
Walk interest : 4.57/5
Global average : 2.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 16/04/21
Description quality
: Disappointing
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Disappointing
This was the walk we enjoyed the least during our week in Hartington. The Tissington trail section is long, monotonous and busy. It was full of cyclists and we had to move out of the way every 20 seconds or so. The final two miles of the walk (once you leave the Trail) were lovely but there are MUCH better walks in the area.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 30/06/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great description and instructions.
We went wrong towards the end as we missed the marker, but that was our fault.
Varied terrain and very little tarmacked roads which was great.
We walked about 10.3 miles according to map my walk - but that could have been accounted for by our excursion at the end.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 13/04/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A very enjoyable walk with lovely views, ample refreshment stops and good instructions. It is fairly lengthy but not arduous.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk 
Please feel free to share photos if you have any.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 11/09/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Completed this walk on 10/09/18 and as this was a weekday there weren't too many cyclists hurrying up and down on the Tissington and High Peak Trails. Overall it was really enjoyable with fantastic views especially on the stretch after Vincent House to the end of the walk. Would do it again!
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 22/08/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Completed this walk on 21/08/2018. A most enjoyable walk with excellent views and a variety of terrain. Started from Parsley Hay so we could be in Hartington or Biggin at lunch time and complete the walk with the rail-track section.
Agree with other review that the walk is a little longer than noted.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 29/04/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Really enjoyable walk with interesting, varied terrain. The signposting was excellent and when you get towards the end of the route above bank top farm a number of boulders have been marked white to help you stay on track. Just be aware that when we walked it we clocked it at 16.6 kilometres which is a little more than on the website. All in all an excellent walk.
Thank you for your message.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/10/16
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A varied walk with some level sections following the disused railway - now a section of the Tissington Trail (See http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk...) and some across limestone countryside, through a small number of farms (with barking farm dogs) and finally a delightful section following the contour high on the valley side with fine views across the Upper Dove Valley and finally back into Hartington. It really is a super walk!
8.84km
+116m
-116m
2h50
Easy
Starting point in Hartington Town Quarter - Derbyshire This Peak District walk explores three dales in the White Peak starting from the village of Hartington. The walk is generally easy underfoot and provides a good introduction to this area.
10.84km
+141m
-141m
3h30
Average
Starting point in Hartington Town Quarter - Derbyshire 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.
9.71km
+132m
-120m
3h10
Easy
Starting point in Hartington Town Quarter - Derbyshire 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.
11.37km
+185m
-174m
3h45
Average
Starting point in Hartington Town Quarter - Derbyshire This walk starts in Hartington and explores Beresford Dale before visiting the village of Alstonefield. The route then continues by descending back into Wolfescote Dale and a return to the start.
7.85km
+195m
-204m
2h50
Easy
Starting point in Hartington Town Quarter - Derbyshire Pilsbury Castle is the main objective on this Peak District walk from bustling Hartington. Including White Peak scenery alongside the upper section of the River Dove this walk includes both Derbsyhire and Staffordshire sides of the Dove Valley.
12.05km
+323m
-323m
4h20
Average
Starting point in Wetton - Staffordshire This Peak District walk explores The Manifold Valley in Staffordshire. The mostly high-level route is full of interest including Thor's Cave and Throwley Old Hall with magnificent views throughout.
15.28km
+243m
-240m
5h05
Average
Starting point in Longnor (Derbyshire) - Derbyshire A Peak District walk that explores the uppear reaches of the Dove and Manifold Valleys. The route is generally easy to navigate and uses a series of paths and tracks across the Limestone country. Refreshments are available at the start and at Hartington.
9.07km
+315m
-317m
3h30
Average
Starting point in Longnor (Derbyshire) - Derbyshire This route starts from the attractive North Staffordshire village of Longnor. It then crosses the Dove Valley into Derbyshire, passes through Earl Sterndale to climb High Wheeldon before re-crossing the Dove back into Staffordshire. The scenery en-route is varied with excellent views of this part of the Peak District throughout.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
