| The start of the trek is from the main Dove Dale
car park near the pretty village of Ilam. Ilam is full
of things to see including the grand Ilam Hall which
has stood since 1546 and is now home to a National Trust
youth hostel. The village with buildings dating back
to Saxon times is set in the beautiful Manifold Valley
and its grounds and hall are now open to the public
and well worth a visit, one of my favorite attractions
in the hall's grounds is the Ilam Bridge, the river
Manifold flows under this picturesque bridge. The owners
of Ilam Hall wanted the village to be created exactly
ho they wanted which is the reason for its slightly
swiss or alpine feel.
Stepping Stones
|
Dove Dale
|
After taking in Ilam head for the Dove Dale car park
which is signposted from the village. Once at the car
park which these days even has an overflow due to the
popularity and demand for car parking space. From the
car park take the track that's sign posted to the stepping
stones, not venturing over the wooden footbridge to
the right over the River Dove.
Eventually you will come to the famous Dove Dale stepping
stones. In the height of summer there are often queues
of people waiting to cross here and men and women wading
through the river with prams and even inflatable beds
and boats! In winter however these steps can be very
dangerous and often the stones are closed when the River
Dove is in flood. If the stones are closed then simply
take the wooden footbridge route instead and follow
the river bank round to the stepping stones area.
Lovers Leap
|
Reynards Cave
|
Take a look up at Thorpe Cloud in front of you while
you wait. Thorpe Cloud which towers above the stepping
stone to the South is a huge limestone hill or reef
knoll, well known for its fossiliferous qualities, dating
back to 350 million years ago when britain was closer
to the equator. The limestone on this amazing hill are
still full of fossils and this hill is well worth a
look if you have the time, especially for the lofty
views down Dove Dale.
However once you have crossed the stepping stones turn
left along the right hand side of the river and as you
get further away from the stepping stones you will slowly
get away from the hustle and bustle of Dove Dale's often
spoilt entrance and into what Dove Dale is really about.
The first place of interest you'll stumble across after
a short ascent is the limestone cliff of Lover's Leap.
There are many mysteries and stories surrounding the
history of this cliff, most of which are based around
the heart broken lady who is said to have taken her
life here and others of how a young disgraced but in
love couple took there lives to be with each other.
Tissington Spires
|
Ilam Rock
|
The walk then carries on along the river bank, passing
some delightful waterfalls and pools that are home to
many species of wildlife from ducks to dragonflies to
trout. On your right you will soon see a path about
a mile from Lover's Leap which leads up to Reynard's
Cave. On your way you'll see some great limestone pinnales
on your right called Tissington Spires, look closer
and you'll probably see climbers and there ropes hanging
off the huge walls. At Reynards Cave the cave itself
is not as impressive as its huge arched entrance which
stands covered in ivy and surrounding natural tree species
like ash, which have clung onto these cliffs for hundreds
of years, the view from the other side through the arch
over the Dale is fantastic. As you go up the steep climb
into the cave feel the marble like limestone with its
super smooth glassy finish.
Dove Holes
|
Inside Dove Holes
|
Carry on once again down the river bank until eventually
you will come an opening to a wooden bridge which crosses
the Dove to Ilam Rock. These huge limestone pinnacle
is a magnet to fear loving rock climbers who cling onto
there impressive walls. Look directly behind you and
you'll see Lion's Head Rock hanging above your head.
Do not cross the wooden bridge and instead carry on
the same path which follows the River Dove, eventually
leaving it for a while as the path climbs a little higher
than the river, once you come to a bend in the river
you eyes will be focused on what looks like two huge
gaping eyes in the rock face.
These huge gaping eyes are Dove Holes, these impressive
caves are created by water wearing out the soft limestone
cliffs. The path will now lead gently through small
meadows that lie between the cliffs of the upper Dovedale
including the very prominent Raven's Tor. The path continues
following the River Dove towards Milldale. At Milldale
you cross the packhorse bridge now known as Viator's
Bridge, named after a character from Isaac Walton's
book the Complete Angler. Milldale is a quaint little
village with no more than a dozen square stone cottages
and a small road which after two visits I am still to
see a car use, Milldale is mostly visited by those on
foot, which is no bad thing lets face it. There is a
National Trust information centre in the old barn and
a great little tea shop which also sells a few walking
essentials and refreshments too.
Ravens Tor
|
Viator's Bridge at Milldale
|
To finish the trek simply follow your footprints back
down Dovedale again, for those adventurous enough there
are a few alternatives which will eventually feature
on Trekking Britain. The return trek is just as good
however as you will see many outcrops, spires and wildlife
species you missed on the way to Milldale. |
Duration
: 3.5 Hrs
