Lathkill & Bradford Dales (short version)

This Peak District walk provides a shorter route for visiting Lathkill and Bradford Dales.

Technical sheet No. 293013

A Youlgreave walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 07/12/21
Calculated time Calculated time: 3h10 ?
Distance Distance : 9.56 km
Vertical gain Vertical gain : 167 m
Vertical drop Vertical drop : 169 m
Highest point Highest point : 308 m
Lowest point Lowest point : 144 m
Moderate Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point Back to starting point : Yes
Walking Walking
Area Area : Peak District
Location Location : Youlgreave
Starting point Starting point : N 53.177177° / W 1.713539°
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Description

(D)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!(A)

Waypoints :
D/A : 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
D/A : 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.

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

During the walk or to do/see around

Two good swim spots on both rivers ( if the Water level is good).
Excellent veggie cafe in Youlgreave half way round.

Opinions and comments

Average

Global average : 4.17/5
Number of opinions : 10
Clarity of route description : 4.3/5
Clarity of route map : 4/5
Walk interest : 4.2/5


Walker
on Mon 18 Jul 2022 03:41:46 EDT

Global average : 4.67 / 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


Walker
on Mon 28 Mar 2022 18:28:15 EDT

Global average : 4.33 / 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.


Admin walker
on Tue 07 Dec 2021 07:56:48 EST

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


Walker
on Fri 19 Nov 2021 16:49:35 EST

Global average : 3.67 / 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.


Walker
on Mon 10 Aug 2020 06:21:34 EDT

Global average : 4.33 / 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...


Walker
on Mon 02 Dec 2019 16:07:30 EST

Global average : 4.67 / 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.


Walker
on Mon 28 Oct 2019 08:05:33 EDT

Global average : 4.67 / 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


Walker
on Mon 02 Sep 2019 06:34:12 EDT

Global average : 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.


Walker
on Wed 07 Aug 2019 13:15:55 EDT

Global average : 2.67 / 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.


Walker
on Tue 02 Apr 2019 03:58:42 EDT

Global average : 4.33 / 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.


Walker
on Mon 06 Aug 2018 03:18:11 EDT

Global average : 4.33 / 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

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