Thorpe and Dovedale

Description

(D/A) From The Okeover Arms car park entrance, turn right and then right again into the churchyard. In the far right-hand corner a stile leads into a field. Climb a short distance to a gap in the hedge and turn left. Cross the field to a stile in the far left-hand corner, then climb the slope on your right diagonally.

(1) Two footpaths leave the field in the far top corner. Take the less prominent path in the far fence (North), slightly below the top of the field (not the obvious gate heading uphill into the wood). This lower path leads into an open area above Hinchleywood House, with the belt of woodland above and to your right. At the end of the field go through a gate into the woodland.

(2) You emerge at a junction of paths by a pond; turn left through a squeeze stile, then turn right. Follow this field path, cutting a couple of corners, until you reach a narrow lane.

In dry weather, simply take the path opposite; in wet weather a short diversion along the road right then left avoids a muddy patch, rejoining the field path via a stile on the left opposite Spend Lane Farm. Aiming towards the prominent peak of Thorpe Cloud, a squeeze stile goes through the wall above a copse, beyond which pass through a gate on your left and then swing right. Aim for a gate in the far right-hand corner of this field.

(3) Cross a farm track, still aiming in the direction of Thorpe Cloud, passing a round water trough and inspection hatch and then walking down a steep slope to a stile among trees in the bottom right-hand corner of the field.

Cross a small stream in the valley bottom, then climb the steep slope opposite, aiming to the right of the church. Go through a gate in the wall and turn left. Very shortly, turn back on yourself below the cemetery wall and then walk through the churchyard to the road.

(4) Follow Church Lane and then keep straight (West) along Digmire Lane at a junction by the village hall. Follow the lane as it curves right and leads to a larger road.

Cross over, walk through the car park and follow the track (North) beyond to a quarry. Turn left here and follow the path down Lin Dale.

(5) At the famous stepping stones in Dovedale, turn left, staying on the near side of the river. Follow the river downstream (South-West), passing a footbridge near the Dovedale car park (detour for toilets and refreshments) on the opposite bank, until you reach the road near St Mary’s Bridge.

(6) Follow the footpath almost opposite, to cross a stile beside a field gate and then a small concrete bridge over a dip in the field. Keep right through a gate next to a side-stream, which you then follow until it rejoins the River Dove.

(7) Follow the river downstream, with woodland on your left, until you reach Coldwall Bridge, where you turn left briefly. Follow a farm drive on the right to a squeeze stile by a gate. Continue to the farm, where you keep right through a clearly marked gate.

(8) Follow the path beyond to rejoin the river. Pass through a wooded section, before returning to a series of riverside fields. As you approach the village of Mappleton, the path leaves the river briefly to bypass a meander then emerges on the road near Okeover Bridge.

(9) Go through the stile and gate opposite and swing left (South - East) to return to The Okeover Arms. (D/A)